Jane Elliott

Date of Birth: November 30, 1933

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

Jane Elliott is a renowned American educator, lecturer, and diversity trainer, best known for her innovative and impactful “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise. Born in Riceville, Iowa, Elliott began her career as a third-grade school teacher. Her life took a pivotal turn following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Determined to teach her students about the pervasive nature of racism and prejudice, she devised an exercise that would garner national attention and place her at the forefront of anti-racism education. Elliott divided her class by eye color, treating brown-eyed students as superior and blue-eyed students as inferior, to simulate the arbitrary and systemic nature of racial discrimination. The exercise was a profound success and quickly drew the interest of media, educators, and civil rights activists. Elliott continued her work as a diversity trainer and lecturer, conducting workshops and giving talks around the world. Her methodology, while controversial, has been praised for its direct approach to confronting racial biases. She has appeared on numerous television shows, written several publications, and been the subject of documentaries, solidifying her status as a critical voice in the fight against racism.

5 Interesting Facts about Jane Elliott

1. Jane Elliott first conducted her “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise on April 5, 1968, the day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

2. The exercise was initially met with resistance and criticism from parents and school administrators but later gained widespread acclaim.

3. Elliott’s exercise has been featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” multiple times, bringing her work to a broader audience.

4. She received the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education in 1992.

5. Jane Elliott is a recipient of the National Association of Black Psychologists’ Distinguished Contributions to the Field of Psychology Award.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jane Elliott

1. “Prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance.”

2. “We don’t know anything about racism. We don’t even know what it is. We think it’s about not liking people of color. That’s not what it’s about.”

3. “No one is born a racist. It’s something they have to learn.”

4. “The thing that separates one person from another is the color of their eyes.”

5. “You are not born knowing you’re white. You have to be taught that you are white.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jane Elliott’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, primarily accrued through her work as an educator and lecturer.

Children

Jane Elliott has four children: Steven Elliott, Brian Elliott, Rebecca Elliott, and Mary Elliott. Her family has occasionally been involved in her educational initiatives and has supported her activism throughout the years.