Livingston Diversity Council

The Livingston Diversity Council is hosting Jane Elliott, internationally known teacher, lecturer and diversity trainer on January 18, 2008, in recognition of Martin Luther King Day.

In 1968, the day after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Jane Elliott, a teacher in a small, all-white town in Iowa, divided her third-grade class into blue-eyed and brown-eyed children and began a lesson in bigotry. She conducted this exercise for 17 years in grades three, seven and eight before moving on to conduct this exercise to larger groups outside the school system, including educators at a White House Conference on Children and Youth.

Her exercise became a highly acclaimed television special entitled “A Class Divided” by PBS/Frontline. Jane Elliott was asked to appear on several television shows, was interviewed by many newspapers and magazines, and a book about her became a bestseller. But, unfortunately, many in her Iowa hometown were not happy with what she had done. Teachers resented the attention she received, some in the community complained that blacks might be attracted to the town, and Jane Elliott's children were taunted by other children.

In her visit to Livingston County, Mr. Elliott will conduct a three-hour presentation for community members, business people and educators.

Following this, she will address a luncheon at Crystal Gardens in Howell.
Ms. Elliott will explore the problems of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, and ethnocentrism and the responsibility shared by all of us for illuminating them in and eliminating them from ourselves and our environment.

Those attending the presentation will be encouraged to discuss the issues raised as they relate to their own workplace. They will also be encouraged to discuss the materials presented on the handouts which are designed to help them to identify their own racist statements, behaviors, and attitudes.

Participants will receive a list of suggested activities which, if implemented, can help them to decrease the amount of racism in their environment and a list of books which, if read, can provide added insights to the problems of the -isms with which we are all confronted.

The Livingston Diversity Council is seeking sponsorship contributions to fund this important community initiative. Sponsors will enjoy the following: