The Official Biography of Jane Elliott and the Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes Exercise
What if, by eight years old, children could possess the mechanism to disrupt prejudicial tendencies? That is an argument posited by Jane Elliott for more than five decades. She initially made the claim the day after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.—first with elementary school students in Riceville, Iowa, then with adults in seminar rooms full of corporate, correctional, educational, and military personnel. Elliott is famous for placing learners of all ages into a manufactured society of hate, oppression, and in-group synchrony. In Shades of Brown, historian Todd M. Mealy offers a fascinating, never-before-told reconstruction of Elliott’s life as a child on a Depression-era farm in Iowa to her rise as one of the world’s leading voices on the anatomy of prejudice.
Loved and despised by millions, this schoolteacher invested most of her life trying to expose the root cause of bigotry: ignorance. Racism is not new. It will likely never end. However, in 1968, Elliott discovered a method to mitigate racist inclinations. She calls it the “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise,” a controversial role-play on discrimination that separates learners by the color of their eyes. Elliott contends that a short period of discomfort and alienation will teach her central lesson that we are one race.
Based on rarely tapped sources, especially never discovered family documents, Shades of Brown offers the full context of the origin, use, and implications of the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
In an era of unprecedented challenges to societal change, Todd Mealy's captivating biography of Jane Elliott provides insights into her long advocacy for challenging racial bigotry in all its forms as inspired by the work of my father, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which encompassed eradicating what he called "the triple evils of poverty, racism and militarism." Mealy’s narrative reconstructs a comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of Jane Elliott’s courageous journey in the struggle for social justice and as an anatomy of prejudice. “Shades of Brown” offers an insightful critique and is a must read that resonates with the urgency of our times to overcome racial bias, prejudice, bigotry, and work toward the ultimate elimination of racism which is essential in creating the Beloved Community.—Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO, The King Center
In Shades of Brown, author Todd M. Mealy invites readers into the extraordinary life and transformative work of esteemed educator Jane Elliott. From her groundbreaking "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" exercise to her tireless advocacy for equality and justice, Elliott's story is a testament to the power of one person's unwavering dedication to dismantling racial prejudice. Mealy's intimate portrait delves into the personal and professional experiences that shaped Elliott's journey, revealing the challenges she faced and the triumphs she achieved along the way. Through a captivating narrative, readers gain profound insights into the spirit and lasting impact of a true trailblazer who continues to inspire generations.—Keith A. Beauchamp, Filmmaker, Producer/Writer Till
When I think about Jane Elliott, I think about a courageous human being who refuses the recursive hubris regarding the so-called rightness of whiteness. In this way, one might assume that the meaning behind Jane Elliott's "blue eyes, brown eyes" experiment on prejudice and discriminatory behavior is easily discernible. Indeed, journalists have covered this controversial lesson plan for many decades. However, in Shades of Brown, Todd M. Mealy once again establishes himself as a skillful and formidable scholar. In this must-read biography, Dr. Mealy puts forth original and engaging ideas about Elliott, her groundbreaking exercise, and the deeply problematic Faustian tendency at the very core of racism, xenophobia, and sexism. With prose akin to that of a guiding beacon, Mealy's work illuminates the intricacies of our shared human condition, urging us to stand in solidarity with those who are subjugated and painfully treated as "less than." Through the powerful genre of biography, this book helps us to understand not just the profound social justice dimensions of Jane Elliott's pedagogy, but it functions as a clarion call, one that sheds light on the unqualified and perpetual need for all of us to resist attempts to stifle critical thinking, social diversity, and what the humanities can offer.—George Yancy, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Philosophy, Emory University
by Todd M Mealy
Page Count: 387
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Publish Date: July 25, 2023
Imprint: Oxford Southern
Genre: Biography
Biography & Autobiography / Women
Education / History
Biography & Autobiography / Social Activists
You might also like ...
-
$16.95by Katherine Bowers Ever found yourself stuck o...by Katherine Bowers Ever found yourself stuck on the shoulder of life, afraid to veer out into traffic, petrified of being blind-sided by yet another reckless driver? I so want to be the brand of...
-
$19.95Anyone wishing to unlock the secrets behind Pen...Anyone wishing to unlock the secrets behind Pennsylvania’s treasure trove of old-time legends and folktales should read this book and its predecessors. Fascinating and unbelievable as some of these...
-
$16.95It was the time of rifle, tomahawk, and knife. ...It was the time of rifle, tomahawk, and knife. It was the time of plough, axe, and endurance. It was the time when blood flowed into the waters of the Susquehanna River—1750 to 1800—Colonial Susqu...
-
$19.95Henry Shoemaker compiled these legendary tales ...Henry Shoemaker compiled these legendary tales set in the Juniata Valley of central Pennsylvania. Shoemaker's tales recall the transition of the landscape from forest to industrial logging and the ...
-
$14.95by A. B. Zeitler – “I almost fell overboard on...by A. B. Zeitler – “I almost fell overboard on my way to America,” my father often said. This quote begins many immigrant adventures detailed in Leaving Germany: One Family’s Post-World War I Ame...
-
$19.95They say you can never go home again, but what ...They say you can never go home again, but what if home won’t let you leave? When Elbridge Corvallis’ mother dies, the barely minted professional hockey player abandons his first season to return t...
-
$24.95by Stephen Paul Sayers When the ride ends, the ...by Stephen Paul Sayers When the ride ends, the terror begins… The nightmares and visions are getting worse for crime writer Jack Rainne. He can’t shake the childhood memory of a haunting carousel r...
-
$12.95-- Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley -- A fictionalized...-- Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley -- A fictionalized account of Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley’s life story, the most plausible “Molly Pitcher” from the American Revolution, based on the historical record. b...
-
$24.95In Deals, Danger, Destiny—the first book in thi...In Deals, Danger, Destiny—the first book in this series—John LaCasse takes us through the glamour of wealth and his high-octane lifestyle. He opens the existential crises of fast and furious living...
-
$19.95Their Lives, Contributions, and Burial Sites Jo...Their Lives, Contributions, and Burial Sites Joe Farrell, Joe Farley, and Lawrence Knorr have traveled across the eastern USA to the graves of over 200 founding fathers (and mothers) responsible fo...
-
$12.95Unbelievably More Cartoons for the Somewhat Off...Unbelievably More Cartoons for the Somewhat Off-CenterIf you ever wondered what would happen if an author of graphically violent horror stories also drew cartoons? Not that many people would have t...
-
$19.95Volume Four of the Pennsylvania Fireside Tales ...Volume Four of the Pennsylvania Fireside Tales series contains more of the old-time Pennsylvania mountain legends and folktales collected by the author over the last fifty years. Just like in his ...
-
$12.95Thoughts from a Life of Ministry Several years...Thoughts from a Life of Ministry Several years after the pandemic (epidemic of an infectious disease), we still see the aftermath of the devastation created. The devastation is largely prevalent i...
-
$22.95A Novel of the Battle of Lexington and Concord ...A Novel of the Battle of Lexington and Concord In Colonial Massachusetts at the dawning of the American Revolution, an enslaved African American and a reluctant Patriot must battle the British regu...
-
$19.95by Bob Ford In Ford’s eighth collection of outd...by Bob Ford In Ford’s eighth collection of outdoor humor he continues to strike a chord with hunters and dog lovers as he makes observations about contemporary life, often through nostalgic narrati...
-
$19.95A Strong Cape Cod Connection From the start of ...A Strong Cape Cod Connection From the start of the Puritan era through the end of the Revolutionary War, Boston was the central hub of the slave trade. Slaves were brought onboard ships from the Af...
-
$22.95This book covers the entire 1960 Pittsburgh Pi...This book covers the entire 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season from spring expectations through a season of destiny culminated by the wildest, most lopsided World Series ever—one which saw a team get ...
-
$24.95The Raven Naelo Saga - Book 1 Raven Naelo, a ha...The Raven Naelo Saga - Book 1 Raven Naelo, a half-elf rogue, dreams of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a realm guardian. Her dreams move closer to reality when she proves herself a...
-
$16.95Before the US Constitution defined the role of ...Before the US Constitution defined the role of the President of the United States as the chief executive, fourteen men filled the role of President of the United States in Congress Assembled. Thoug...
-
$19.95by Rebecca Titchner Two sisters who never met. ...by Rebecca Titchner Two sisters who never met. Two decades of intimate journals. One tragic ending. A Ghost Comes Calling tells of one woman's journey to understand herself, her birth family, and ...
-
$9.99What should we do when we feel lonely? Everyone...What should we do when we feel lonely? Everyone feels lonely sometimes, and it can be difficult to navigate that feeling. The Emotion Monster series features the challenging, yet likeable characte...
-
$9.99What should we do when we feel jealous? Everyon...What should we do when we feel jealous? Everyone feels jealous sometimes, and it can be difficult to navigate that feeling. The Emotion Monster series features the challenging, yet likeable charac...
-
$9.99What should we do when we feel angry? Everyone ...What should we do when we feel angry? Everyone feels angry sometimes, and it can be difficult to navigate that feeling. The Emotion Monster series features the challenging, yet likable characters ...
-
$19.95“We are vessels ... and sometimes we have to em...“We are vessels ... and sometimes we have to empty them.” For years, Jhana has traveled the country in search of the stories of people from all walks of life had to tell. Now, after more than a dec...
-
$11.95by Carol Vento War begets unlikely pairings. In...by Carol Vento War begets unlikely pairings. In the shadow of World War I, Carol Schultz Vento’s father, Arthur Dutch Schultz, was born to two military veterans. In the immediate aftermath of World...
-
$19.95The Forbidden Powers - Book 3 Seven years have ...The Forbidden Powers - Book 3 Seven years have passed since the destruction of the Cup of Power and the defeat of Darvor’s armies. Life has gone on for Jonny, but he has not freed himself of the pa...
-
$9.99What should we do when we feel frustrated? Eve...What should we do when we feel frustrated? Everyone feels frustrated sometimes, and it can be difficult to navigate that feeling. The Emotion Monster series features the challenging, yet likeable...
-
$9.99What should we do when we feel sad? Everyone fe...What should we do when we feel sad? Everyone feels sad sometimes, and it can be difficult to navigate that feeling. The Emotion Monster series features the challenging, yet likeable characters fir...
-
$22.95In the railroad city of Altoona, Pennsylvania, ...In the railroad city of Altoona, Pennsylvania, 19-year-old Frank Davis straddles the cusp of manhood in the tumultuous year of 1966. His tranquil lower middle-class neighborhood, adorned with stree...
-
$22.95The Timothy House Chronicles: Book Two Through ...The Timothy House Chronicles: Book Two Through a Dark Valley, Book Two in The Timothy House Chronicles, continues the story of Abbie Richardson and Keith Haliday—two individuals who have suffered i...
-
$27.95From Pearl Harbor to Midway In November 1940, A...From Pearl Harbor to Midway In November 1940, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, commander-in-chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet, told Prime Minister Prince Konoye, “If I am forced to wage war with the Un...
-
$16.95From the twisted mind of horror master Thomas M...From the twisted mind of horror master Thomas M. Malafarina comes the eighth short story collection in his Malaformed Realities series, appropriately entitled Malaformed Realities Volume 8. With th...
-
$16.95From the twisted mind of horror master Thomas ...From the twisted mind of horror master Thomas M. Malafarina comes the seventh short story collection in his Malaformed Realities series, appropriately entitled Malaformed Realities Volume 7. With...
-
$16.95Finding and Losing the Love of My Life in Six S...Finding and Losing the Love of My Life in Six Short Years What if you came home one day and found your husband dead in his favorite chair? This grief memoir explores the author’s experience of the ...
-
$19.95It is the author’s opinion that it is not an ex...It is the author’s opinion that it is not an exaggeration to say that if anyone wishes to experience one of those rare moments of true happiness that occurs in a lifetime, they should go to the mou...
-
$16.95by Carol Vento Carol Schultz Vento recounts the...by Carol Vento Carol Schultz Vento recounts the post-World War II years of her famous father "Dutch" Schultz. "Carol Schultz Vento's testimonial and others like it do not diminish the wartime gener...
-
$9.99What happens when the team goalie gets stuck in...What happens when the team goalie gets stuck in the net during the ice hockey championship game? In the book Stuck! the characters work towards a common goal- helping their goalie get unstuck from ...
-
$22.95- Four women, four stories, and a chance encoun...- Four women, four stories, and a chance encounter that changes everything. Still reeling from a recent breakup, Demi, a Greek-American banquet manager, joins her mother, aunt, and cousin on a trip...
-
$22.95~ The Accountant's Apprentice III ~ “One of the...~ The Accountant's Apprentice III ~ “One of the passengers waiting for a bus . . . said the area . . . was empty. She looked away for a few seconds. When she looked back, he was sitting there in h...
-
$11.95A Story of the West Among the Tribes The Young ...A Story of the West Among the Tribes The Young Frontiersman Book 4 Young Revolutionary War veteran Barnabas Locke makes winter camp in an isolated canyon in the Colorado wilderness, finding pictogr...
-
$11.95A Story of the Great Plains The Young Frontiers...A Story of the Great Plains The Young Frontiersman Book 3 In spring 1782, young Revolutionary War veteran Barnabas Locke and his Abenaki friend, the visionary Squando, reunite to cross the Mississi...
-
$19.95“Lagodzki’s prose is as powerful as his plot is...“Lagodzki’s prose is as powerful as his plot is gripping. A historically astute tale with deep emotional impact. (…) OUR VERDICT: GET IT.” Kirkus Reviews In 1982 Soviet-controlled Poland—a time and...
-
$19.95- The Newly Revealed T206 Baseball Card Collect...- The Newly Revealed T206 Baseball Card Collection of Thomas Edison's Youngest Son Thomas Edison was a long-time baseball fan. In his younger years, he once proclaimed, he could have named the play...
-
$19.95In offering a second volume of Pennsylvania mou...In offering a second volume of Pennsylvania mountain legends and folktales to the reading public, the author does so with a note of appreciation to all who found the first volume of legends of inte...
-
$36.95by John Cressler Much of modern Spain was under...by John Cressler Much of modern Spain was under Muslim control for nearly 800 years (from 711 to 1492 C.E.). Medieval Islamic Spain was deeply influential in world events, for a multitude of reason...
-
$11.95A Story of the Ohio Country The Young Frontiers...A Story of the Ohio Country The Young Frontiersman Book 2 War-seasoned young Barnabas Locke arrives at Harris’s Ferry, where he does business with John Harris II, as a trader of goods going into th...
-
$34.95This is the riveting, brutally honest story of ...This is the riveting, brutally honest story of a man’s struggle to make something of himself in the theater. Coming from meager circumstances in the Ozark Mountains, he fights his way up the shaky ...
-
$27.951838 St. Petersburg, Russia’s Window to the Wes...1838 St. Petersburg, Russia’s Window to the West. Thirteen-year-old tomboy Rian Krieger has run away to Russia to help her uncle and cousin build a railroad for Tsar Nicholas I. But there’s a probl...
-
$19.95Prose Edda Book 3 An Earl with godly ambitions....Prose Edda Book 3 An Earl with godly ambitions. A Viking warrior. A scheme, decades in the making. The heart of the Ironwood, a mysterious forest, has been pillaged and replaced with a mine. Hrothg...
Recently Viewed Products
So much more than just a biography. This opens your mind to a decades old introspective and the correlation it has to the world today. 10/10 must read for anyone.
Customer Reviews