The fact that bias treatments can be reversible was shocking in the “Blue-eyed Brown-eyed experiment.” Elliot used this test to expose the learners to discrimination, in which blue-eyed children were initially preferred and given more privileges in the classroom than brown-eyed students. Later, Elliot reversed the situation, preferring brown-eyed kids while allowing blue-eyed students to feel inferior. This experiment proved that prejudice is a learned behavior, with those privileged becoming vicious toward those discriminated against. The good news is that the situation can be reversed, with those who have been privileged becoming unfavored and those who experienced prejudice now becoming favored. In essence, this study was justified because it was conducted in a learning environment. I consider this experiment to be balanced, and it is possible that it influenced and even modified the students’ conduct because each group underwent both experiences.
What I found troubling about the “4 Little Girls” film was that even in 1963, segregation was still prevalent, requiring blacks to attend separate movies or churches. The sister of one of the girls recounts how “they were segregated, and they had to go upstairs into the balcony” (VT H, n.d., 00:09:06). They had to do many more things differently from whites, but those are the most notable. Birmingham was one of the most racially divided cities in the country. These tensions are still experienced today, with some states in America being considered the most racist. Various strides have been taken to correct these issues, for instance, the recent prosecution of police officers directly involved in the shooting or death of black people. However, this has not been efficient due to discrimination still experienced in some systems, like the disproportionate incarceration of individuals from minority groups.
The Supreme Court’s decisions in the Plessy to Brown cases mirrored aspects of Black life in one way or another. The Plessy v. Ferguson case had a negative impact on African-Americans since it upheld racial segregation (“Plessy v. Ferguson,” n.d.). However, Brown’s case had a positive effect by declaring the previous ruling illegal (“Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1),” n.d.). The Supreme Court overturned its own decision in Brown’s case, citing that a state statute requiring separate government schools for black and white students was unconstitutional. I think they changed their stance to prohibit discrimination in schools based on color, mainly because it violated the 14th Amendment.
References
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1). (n.d.). Oyez.
Plessy v. Ferguson. (n.d.). Oyez.
VT H. (n.d.). 4 Little Girls – Spike Lee documentary [Video]. YouTube.