Join Leadership DeKalb for “A Class Divided”

Documentary and Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion

Cornerstone Bank, Community Room, 125 Clairmont Avenue, Decatur 30030

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 7-9 p.m. – Free

In 1968, innovative Ohio third-grade teacher, Jane Elliott, conducted a controversial exercise to provide her class with a better understanding of what discrimination means. On Tuesday, November 17, Leadership DeKalb will show the classic, PBS Frontline documentary, “A Class Divided,” based on Ms. Elliott’s experiment. The free program will be held in the Community Room at Cornerstone Bank, 125 Clairmont Avenue, Decatur from 7 – 9 p.m. The one-hour show raises deep emotions and will be followed by a facilitated discussion on diversity and inclusion, led by Diversity Trainer and Leadership DeKalb graduate Pollie Massey Battle ’07.

Following the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Elliott devised an exercise to help her students better understand racism and discrimination in America. She divided her class into two groups: blue-eyed and brown-eyed people. One day, the blue-eyed group was treated superior and given extra privileges like second helpings at lunch, access to the new jungle gym and five minutes extra at recess. She praised the blue-eyed group for being hard-working and intelligent while she disparaged the brown-eyed group.

The next day, the treatment of the groups was reversed. Needless to say, the complete experiment changed the lives of all involved. Because Elliott believed so strongly in the value of the exercise, she continued it every year until 1984 when she quit teaching. Elliott says, “to be an educator, and not merely a teacher, one must lead people out of ignorance.”

Join us for this meaningful look at diversity and inclusion! Popcorn and drinks will be served. Please let us know if you are coming by e-mailing bethjansa@leadershipdekalb.org.

The program is free, but space is limited. Parking is available in the deck directly behind the bank. The Community Room entrance is at the back of the bank building.

__,_._,___