Psychological Exercise (05:37)

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Hear a portion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Jane Elliott questions a group about the treatment of African Americans. She addresses participants as they sign in and divides them into two groups; a man initially refuses to comply with directions. (Credits)

Exercise Parameters (07:26)

Elliott describes the purpose of the blue eye/brown eye exercise. She assigns negative traits to the blue-eyed group waiting in the holding room, instructs the brown-eyed group on behavior, and introduces the Dove Counterbalance Intelligence Test.

Exercise Origins and Instructions (07:19)

Elliott discusses developing the blue eye/brown eye exercise and community backlash. While blue-eyed participants wait in the holding room, Elliot instructs the brown-eyed group on how to behave and tells them to "act white."

Blue Eye/Brown Eye Exercise (15:54)

Follow along as Elliott leads the exercise. She gives orders and criticism, forcing the blue-eyed group to live down to expectations; she chastises them for submitting to tyranny. African American participants describe their stress.

Psychological Impact (07:27)

Elliott discusses photographs of students who participated in the blue eye/brown eye exercise featured in "The Eye of the Storm" and their drawings; see clips of the film. Elliott describes adult reactions to her work.

Exercise Reflections (04:19)

Participants share their feelings and perspectives about the blue eye/brown eye exercise. Elliott advises women to "get over cute" and discusses cooperating with oppression. Hear a portion of "I Have a Dream."

Credits: The Essential Blue Eyed (01:17)

Credits: The Essential Blue Eyed