This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
"In The Eye Of The Storm" - Period 1
Today, we watched the documentary, IN THE EYE OF THE STORM. What did you learn from this film?. Post a reflective comment about the film and make sure to comment on one other student's post.
Mr. Gallagher
35 comments:
monicca jones
said...
the english teacher was corages for steping out and trying to make a change by reaching out to her rd grade students. i think its better when there young so they'll have there own way of thinking and not just think to become races like their parent and get the feel of how it feels when ur race or what eva is being judge opion when u have no control over it its just the way you was born.
monicca right how the teacher stepped out with out really worring about what people would say about her.even though afterwards when people seen what she was doing she continued to teach amd show the students the feild of racism even after her family and herself was getting treated wrongly
I thought that the reaction of the kids was pretty crazy because they all changed so radically in a matter of 15 minutes. This could only work with this age group or younger because they believe things a lot easier. I agree with monicca though because its better to instill somthing a a childs mind so that they will grow up with that thought instead of learning it later in your life.
I thought this was a good experiment that the teacher would do it. Kids just do what they see older people such as their parents do and don't really see the results of their actions. By showing them how it feels to be discriminated against by how you looked it really sunk in to them that racism was a bad thing. This teacher should be commended for going above and beyond her duties as a teacher in showing them this. I also agree with Monicca about how corageous the teacher was in doing this experiment with the third graders even when the people in her town started to distance themselves from her family.
The English teacher wants her students to understand how it feels to be segregate and to fell the way blacks people felt when they where being segrageted. The English teacher wnat to make a difference.
I acree with Monicca too, about how corageous the teacher was in doing this experiment with the third graders even when the people in her town started to distance themselves from her family.
I believe that the teachers actions weren't really courageous, but rather simply the right thing to do. It is unbelievable to think that 40 years ago children could say racial slurs such as "nigger" so easily. I believe that this is another example of one person making a significant impact on peoples lives. You could tell that the children had experienced just a small taste of what it is like to be discriminated against, and i think that is the most valuable lesson kids can learn. Sometimes simply talking about things such as racism and discrimination is not enough to give people a sense of how ridiculous and irrational it really is.
I agree with Chris that the teacher should be commended for her actions, although i wouldn't really consider her actions courageous. She simply did the right thing. However, sometimes teaching children what is right is difficult because they dont have enough life experience to distinguish what is really right and what is really wrong. I believe that the teacher taught them how wrong racism is in the only way possible, which is changing the perspective and feeling how discrimination hurts.
This was, in my opinion, by far the most interesting segment we have watched this year. I found that the teacher's method for showing the children how it felt to be on the other side of racism was extreamily effective, and was amazed at how quickly the children began to turn on one another. It was an exellent example of how impressionable young children are, and how their environment can completely shape their beliefs. I wonder what would happen if a similar exercise was used in a modern day classroom; I don't think that the children would exhibit such strong prejudices as quickly because there is less prejudice in our everyday society. Finally, although I found this segment quite interesting, I do not know if it is a healthy exersize for third graders. That is not to say that they should not be introduced to the moral wrongs of racism, but that the purpouse of this exersise may not be understood by such young people and that the emotional effects of this exersise may scar them for life.
As Monicca and Erin have said, I think the teacher was very courageous to keep using this exersize even after people had tried to stop her. I respect her will to stand up for what she believes in.
The movie was very interesting to learn about how 3rd graders reacted to being discriminated against and how they believed their teacher even when she changed it to brown eyes being better than blue eyes. i was shocked to see all the hate towards the teacher, especially even to her children in school.
I think this movie was a perfect example on how people can turn on each other when they aren't the ones being put down. I understood the fact that they were being put down for the color of their eyes, but it's kinda interesting how when one group was superior to the other they would make fun of them, yet in reality they were friends. I agree with Chris that the teacher should be commended for her work because what she did showed these children the manner in which the older white people treated black people was unfair and racist. I agree with Justin that the teacher wasn't courageous but simply doing the right thing and showing the truth to these children. I'm glad she chose to do her experiment on younger children because their brains are like sponges, they soak up what they see. And from their new discrimination experience they'll now be able to somewhat understand the wrong-doing of others as opposed to older kids.
I agree with Max that this was the most interesting film segment of the year so far. It was fascinating to see how the children acted when they were being discriminated against and also when they had the power to discriminate against their classmates. It looked like it was a tough lesson to learn, but certainly a rewarding one. Mrs. Elliot did a great job. I thought that the best thing that she did was that she was totally unsympathetic to the group of children that were being discriminated against. She acted as if she had no pity for them whatsoever.
I think that Justin is 100% right when he says “Sometimes simply talking about things such as racism and discrimination is not enough to give people a sense of how ridiculous and irrational it really is.” Although there is the general assumption that our society is less discriminatory now then we were 40 years ago, I think it would be really, really cool if we could run this experiment today because it may just turn that our discriminations are simply more suppressed now than they were then.
When Mrs. Elliot asked the third graders to describe their reactions to other races I was shocked. The children were using such cruel words as if it wasn't wrong. I thought that the actions Mrs. Elliot took with her class were bold and necessary. I admire how she never gave in to the negative opinions thrown at her. I think that she was successful with her experiment because I'm sure those kids never want to feel the way that they did (when they were not the superior people). I agree with Eric that this experiment may only be successful with this age group because older people have lived longer with their racist views and it may be difficult to sway those views that quickly. But it would definitely be worth trying.
I also agree with Justin that simply talking about how wrong racism is, is not enough and that it is actions like Mrs. Elliot's are key in successfully delivery the message against racism.
I think that this was one of the most interesting films we've seen so far. What made it such an incredible and affective experiment was the way Mrs. Elliot showed no sympathy towards the children being descriminated aggainst. It was a bold move on her part and was something that was frowned upon by many people but i think it was very effective. Also, it was shocking how the children used such offensive words to describe other races as if it was completely natural.
I agree with Justin, it isnt always enough to just talk about issues like racism. When you actually demonstrate the acts of discrimination and let people experience it for themselves, it becomes clear how rediculous it actually is.
I also agree with Sam's idea to try this experiment today. It would be really interesting to see the difference, or lack thereof, in how the children respond.
I believe that the teacher's actions were very courageous and I learned that if you believe strongly in something, you should continue through with it despite the opinions of other people. She continued with the lesson plan even though it was against popular opinion. This shows how strong she is and how far she is willing to go just to prove a point. I agree with Joy and that it was interesting how one day the children were friends with each other but then when one group was told that they were superior, they suddenly began to make fun of their friends. I think that this is a very effective exercise because it shows the students how other races feel when white people act superior to them, which is a lesson that they can keep with them for the rest of their lives hopefully.
After reading Joy's comment, I defintely agree. It was shocking to see that children who were friends were turned against each other in a matter of a lesson. They were told who was superior and were influenced greatly. Now, many would say that it's only because they're young children but I think adults are just as impressionable. I think this is why segregation and discrimination lasted for so long in this and outside countries. Another thing that was incredibly shocking was how the children talked about non-white people. I understand they grew up with this knowledge and as did their parents but it's crazy to imagine a world such as that. This country has come very far but still needs much time to pass to get away from the evils of our history. I'm so happy that the teacher was stubborn and stood up for what she believed, despite the rebellion of the community and the world. This documentary was imperative for the country to see. It was a great thing for her lesson to be televized and to show the world that discrimination and segregation is wrong.
I thought the teacher in the movie was incredibly brave to do what she did. She didn't think about others opinions she just tried to do what she thought was right. I don't agree with the people saying what she did wasn't courageous. Most people don't have the courage to do the right thing, especially in a sensitive situation like that where they will face a lot of physical and verbal backlash from people all across the United States. I think it's easier said then done in situations like this and that most people wouldn't do what she did. I agree with Monicca though, I was surprised and impressed that even after all the negative feedback she got she kept doing the experiment.
first, i apologize for the first two comments i posted, my computer froze and i dunno what happened.
anyways, i thought it was absurd how quickly the kids changed from pleasant little third graders to vicious 'eye-color-racists'. it really helped me to understand how easy it was for so many people to be racist for so long. i didnt realize that even the children were taught to treat people differently. it also showed me how small experiments like that one can have such significant effects. honestly, i didnt believe the kids would really take it to heart at first.
i half agree with Jeff Poole in being shocked by the reactions of the teachers around Mrs. Elliot. Part of me really is surprised to see such rejection and open criticism, simply because they're all supposed to be respectful professionals. the other part of me knows that during that time, it certainly wasnt common practice to teach that racism was bad. which then saddens me to know that people were capable of so much willing hatred.
I think that its amazing the way little kids can be influenced and how judgemental they can be after it. The sad is even grownups to the same, altough it isnt as noticible on adults as it is in children, since it isnt things like eye color, which is so ridiculous that it stands out even more. I loved the idea of this experiment, because it shows humans true colors although we don't admit it. We are all judgemental to those that do not look exactly like us, and we do have the tendency to stick with those that do. But that doesnt mean we have to mistreat other who are different.
I agree with Timonicca. It takes great courage by the teacher to make such an experiment with kids that basically have racial conscious and judgement of the "outside environment" at the time. If we reach out to kids while young maybe things will change.
it was about how a 3rd grade teacher had the courage to step out and tried to make a change in her town. she was teaching her kids how racism is bad and that we should judge people because they look different then us. after she did her 2 day experiment, the towns people then started to judge her for making a difference. her experiment changed her students forever.
Nimish Sahani I think i learned alot from this movie, how in 15mins, the kids changed in there way of thinking, just by a small experiment. i think this will help them in future, or may woild have changed there way off thinking since they are so young, before they start adapting what they see out in the real world, i agree with monica how the teacher thought of this experiment and it really helped them out.
I was surprised that a teacher living in that time period stood up and had a voice even though the people around her didnt . i thought it was very intresting how the kids changed their personalities drasticly in a day or so they really became diffrent people . it was also shocking how they viewed minorities already and they were only young. i agree with eric and monicca because i think it was huge to instill something like this in kids so young becuase i think it would be easier to sink in because there not so stuck in there ways .
i agree with monicca because during this time period it was very unusual for anyone to make a stand against racism and spread her revolutionary ideas that have made their way throughout the classrooms for the past thirty+ years.
I thought the way the kids can quickly chang in such a short time period is an eye opener. This just shows how kids or anyone can be manipulated so quickly to believe almost anything they are told. This movie just shows how anyone can instill something to a kid’s mind which doesn’t allow that kid to think for on their own. Overall I believe with Eric that one person believes can be spread so rapidly through children. I do think that this is what happened in the begging with the black race and white race.
35 comments:
the english teacher was corages for steping out and trying to make a change by reaching out to her rd grade students. i think its better when there young so they'll have there own way of thinking and not just think to become races like their parent and get the feel of how it feels when ur race or what eva is being judge opion when u have no control over it its just the way you was born.
monicca right how the teacher stepped out with out really worring about what people would say about her.even though afterwards when people seen what she was doing she continued to teach amd show the students the feild of racism even after her family and herself was getting treated wrongly
im actually shocked that she continued to work on her methods when people in her town became distanced from her
i know monicca i felt terrible and proud that she didnt give up
I thought that the reaction of the kids was pretty crazy because they all changed so radically in a matter of 15 minutes. This could only work with this age group or younger because they believe things a lot easier. I agree with monicca though because its better to instill somthing a a childs mind so that they will grow up with that thought instead of learning it later in your life.
I thought this was a good experiment that the teacher would do it. Kids just do what they see older people such as their parents do and don't really see the results of their actions. By showing them how it feels to be discriminated against by how you looked it really sunk in to them that racism was a bad thing. This teacher should be commended for going above and beyond her duties as a teacher in showing them this. I also agree with Monicca about how corageous the teacher was in doing this experiment with the third graders even when the people in her town started to distance themselves from her family.
The English teacher wants her students to understand how it feels to be segregate and to fell the way blacks people felt when they where being segrageted. The English teacher wnat to make a difference.
I acree with Monicca too, about how corageous the teacher was in doing this experiment with the third graders even when the people in her town started to distance themselves from her family.
I believe that the teachers actions weren't really courageous, but rather simply the right thing to do. It is unbelievable to think that 40 years ago children could say racial slurs such as "nigger" so easily. I believe that this is another example of one person making a significant impact on peoples lives. You could tell that the children had experienced just a small taste of what it is like to be discriminated against, and i think that is the most valuable lesson kids can learn. Sometimes simply talking about things such as racism and discrimination is not enough to give people a sense of how ridiculous and irrational it really is.
I agree with Chris that the teacher should be commended for her actions, although i wouldn't really consider her actions courageous. She simply did the right thing. However, sometimes teaching children what is right is difficult because they dont have enough life experience to distinguish what is really right and what is really wrong. I believe that the teacher taught them how wrong racism is in the only way possible, which is changing the perspective and feeling how discrimination hurts.
This was, in my opinion, by far the most interesting segment we have watched this year. I found that the teacher's method for showing the children how it felt to be on the other side of racism was extreamily effective, and was amazed at how quickly the children began to turn on one another. It was an exellent example of how impressionable young children are, and how their environment can completely shape their beliefs. I wonder what would happen if a similar exercise was used in a modern day classroom; I don't think that the children would exhibit such strong prejudices as quickly because there is less prejudice in our everyday society. Finally, although I found this segment quite interesting, I do not know if it is a healthy exersize for third graders. That is not to say that they should not be introduced to the moral wrongs of racism, but that the purpouse of this exersise may not be understood by such young people and that the emotional effects of this exersise may scar them for life.
As Monicca and Erin have said, I think the teacher was very courageous to keep using this exersize even after people had tried to stop her. I respect her will to stand up for what she believes in.
The movie was very interesting to learn about how 3rd graders reacted to being discriminated against and how they believed their teacher even when she changed it to brown eyes being better than blue eyes. i was shocked to see all the hate towards the teacher, especially even to her children in school.
I think this movie was a perfect example on how people can turn on each other when they aren't the ones being put down. I understood the fact that they were being put down for the color of their eyes, but it's kinda interesting how when one group was superior to the other they would make fun of them, yet in reality they were friends. I agree with Chris that the teacher should be commended for her work because what she did showed these children the manner in which the older white people treated black people was unfair and racist. I agree with Justin that the teacher wasn't courageous but simply doing the right thing and showing the truth to these children. I'm glad she chose to do her experiment on younger children because their brains are like sponges, they soak up what they see. And from their new discrimination experience they'll now be able to somewhat understand the wrong-doing of others as opposed to older kids.
I agree with Max that this was the most interesting film segment of the year so far. It was fascinating to see how the children acted when they were being discriminated against and also when they had the power to discriminate against their classmates. It looked like it was a tough lesson to learn, but certainly a rewarding one. Mrs. Elliot did a great job. I thought that the best thing that she did was that she was totally unsympathetic to the group of children that were being discriminated against. She acted as if she had no pity for them whatsoever.
I think that Justin is 100% right when he says “Sometimes simply talking about things such as racism and discrimination is not enough to give people a sense of how ridiculous and irrational it really is.” Although there is the general assumption that our society is less discriminatory now then we were 40 years ago, I think it would be really, really cool if we could run this experiment today because it may just turn that our discriminations are simply more suppressed now than they were then.
When Mrs. Elliot asked the third graders to describe their reactions to other races I was shocked. The children were using such cruel words as if it wasn't wrong. I thought that the actions Mrs. Elliot took with her class were bold and necessary. I admire how she never gave in to the negative opinions thrown at her. I think that she was successful with her experiment because I'm sure those kids never want to feel the way that they did (when they were not the superior people). I agree with Eric that this experiment may only be successful with this age group because older people have lived longer with their racist views and it may be difficult to sway those views that quickly. But it would definitely be worth trying.
I also agree with Justin that simply talking about how wrong racism is, is not enough and that it is actions like Mrs. Elliot's are key in successfully delivery the message against racism.
I think that this was one of the most interesting films we've seen so far. What made it such an incredible and affective experiment was the way Mrs. Elliot showed no sympathy towards the children being descriminated aggainst. It was a bold move on her part and was something that was frowned upon by many people but i think it was very effective. Also, it was shocking how the children used such offensive words to describe other races as if it was completely natural.
I agree with Justin, it isnt always enough to just talk about issues like racism. When you actually demonstrate the acts of discrimination and let people experience it for themselves, it becomes clear how rediculous it actually is.
I also agree with Sam's idea to try this experiment today. It would be really interesting to see the difference, or lack thereof, in how the children respond.
I believe that the teacher's actions were very courageous and I learned that if you believe strongly in something, you should continue through with it despite the opinions of other people. She continued with the lesson plan even though it was against popular opinion. This shows how strong she is and how far she is willing to go just to prove a point. I agree with Joy and that it was interesting how one day the children were friends with each other but then when one group was told that they were superior, they suddenly began to make fun of their friends. I think that this is a very effective exercise because it shows the students how other races feel when white people act superior to them, which is a lesson that they can keep with them for the rest of their lives hopefully.
After reading Joy's comment, I defintely agree. It was shocking to see that children who were friends were turned against each other in a matter of a lesson. They were told who was superior and were influenced greatly. Now, many would say that it's only because they're young children but I think adults are just as impressionable. I think this is why segregation and discrimination lasted for so long in this and outside countries.
Another thing that was incredibly shocking was how the children talked about non-white people. I understand they grew up with this knowledge and as did their parents but it's crazy to imagine a world such as that. This country has come very far but still needs much time to pass to get away from the evils of our history. I'm so happy that the teacher was stubborn and stood up for what she believed, despite the rebellion of the community and the world.
This documentary was imperative for the country to see. It was a great thing for her lesson to be televized and to show the world that discrimination and segregation is wrong.
I thought the teacher in the movie was incredibly brave to do what she did. She didn't think about others opinions she just tried to do what she thought was right. I don't agree with the people saying what she did wasn't courageous. Most people don't have the courage to do the right thing, especially in a sensitive situation like that where they will face a lot of physical and verbal backlash from people all across the United States. I think it's easier said then done in situations like this and that most people wouldn't do what she did. I agree with Monicca though, I was surprised and impressed that even after all the negative feedback she got she kept doing the experiment.
i thought it was almost absurd how quickly the kids
i thought it was almost absurd how quickly the kids
first, i apologize for the first two comments i posted, my computer froze and i dunno what happened.
anyways, i thought it was absurd how quickly the kids changed from pleasant little third graders to vicious 'eye-color-racists'. it really helped me to understand how easy it was for so many people to be racist for so long. i didnt realize that even the children were taught to treat people differently. it also showed me how small experiments like that one can have such significant effects. honestly, i didnt believe the kids would really take it to heart at first.
i half agree with Jeff Poole in being shocked by the reactions of the teachers around Mrs. Elliot. Part of me really is surprised to see such rejection and open criticism, simply because they're all supposed to be respectful professionals. the other part of me knows that during that time, it certainly wasnt common practice to teach that racism was bad. which then saddens me to know that people were capable of so much willing hatred.
Marisa Gaspar
I think that its amazing the way little kids can be influenced and how judgemental they can be after it. The sad is even grownups to the same, altough it isnt as noticible on adults as it is in children, since it isnt things like eye color, which is so ridiculous that it stands out even more. I loved the idea of this experiment, because it shows humans true colors although we don't admit it. We are all judgemental to those that do not look exactly like us, and we do have the tendency to stick with those that do. But that doesnt mean we have to mistreat other who are different.
Marisa Gaspar
I agree with Timonicca. It takes great courage by the teacher to make such an experiment with kids that basically have racial conscious and judgement of the "outside environment" at the time. If we reach out to kids while young maybe things will change.
it was about how a 3rd grade teacher had the courage to step out and tried to make a change in her town. she was teaching her kids how racism is bad and that we should judge people because they look different then us. after she did her 2 day experiment, the towns people then started to judge her for making a difference. her experiment changed her students forever.
I was surprised by the reaction when the expiriment was brought into the office
the teacher had an annoying voice, but the actions and reactions of the kids from this expiriment were very intriguing
Nimish Sahani
I think i learned alot from this movie, how in 15mins, the kids changed in there way of thinking, just by a small experiment. i think this will help them in future, or may woild have changed there way off thinking since they are so young, before they start adapting what they see out in the real world, i agree with monica how the teacher thought of this experiment and it really helped them out.
I was surprised that a teacher living in that time period stood up and had a voice even though the people around her didnt . i thought it was very intresting how the kids changed their personalities drasticly in a day or so they really became diffrent people . it was also shocking how they viewed minorities already and they were only young. i agree with eric and monicca because i think it was huge to instill something like this in kids so young becuase i think it would be easier to sink in because there not so stuck in there ways .
i agree with monicca because during this time period it was very unusual for anyone to make a stand against racism and spread her revolutionary ideas that have made their way throughout the classrooms for the past thirty+ years.
I thought the way the kids can quickly chang in such a short time period is an eye opener. This just shows how kids or anyone can be manipulated so quickly to believe almost anything they are told. This movie just shows how anyone can instill something to a kid’s mind which doesn’t allow that kid to think for on their own. Overall I believe with Eric that one person believes can be spread so rapidly through children. I do think that this is what happened in the begging with the black race and white race.
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