Social Experiments!

Martin Luther King

 

In Literacy, we have been looking at speeches that changed the world.  Our first speech was the infamous 'I have a dream' speech from 1963.

 

To help us understand the significance of this speech, Mrs Warland set up a social experiment in class.  We were asked to line up at the front of the class and were issued stickers with a blue cross on. 

 

Shortly after, a 'No X' zone was set up in the classroom.

 

 

This meant, children wearing an X could no longer enter this section of the classroom. At this point we weren't told reasons behind the selection but later found out that children with blue eyes were the lucky few.

 

They even had their chairs removed.

 

During PE, children with an X had to get changed in the corridor without speaking and were not allowed to enter the front section of the hall.  Many of us were frustrated when, during Assembly, Mr Hayman allowed non-stickered children to sit on benches and leave first for break whilst others had to wait for the entire school to exit the hall.

Many of the boys hated being restricted to the lower playground at break time, especially when they were told they couldn't use any equipment!

 

Charlotte was particularly frustrated when she was told she couldn't collect her merits for times tables.

 

 

Rebecca enjoyed the privileges of having extra play, lunch with a DVD and the radio but missed her friends dearly.

 

Our whiteboards say it all and our faces tell the story.  By 3pm, children wearing a cross were angry that their lunch was last, and, during wet play, they were unable to play with the usual play equipment or sit in their usual seats.

   

Once all stickers were removed, we were jubilant! Friends were reunited, we hugged, we danced, we sang! 

 

Today has been a day of highs and lows.  Lots of us have a much better understanding of life with social or racial discrimination and can't imagine what it would be like to spend day in, day out, week in, week out where you are unable to participate in the same activities as others.

 

Which side would you have been on and how would you have felt?

Blue eyes - additional treats and privileges!

Any other colour - no rights!