Dear FRONTLINE,
Kudos to Jane Elliot ... As a native of Iowa, specifically northeast Iowa where Riceville is located, I was shocked and appalled that I had never seen or even heard of this excercise before. But I am glad that I did get the chance to see this report. I think that this, or similar, exercises should be used widespread. I realize that to some it may seem harsh to use on children, but if debriefed properly, I don't think there would be any detrimental effects. Children are resilient. And the more this is used, the less that it would need to be used. Thanks.
Ray Wilson
Ankeny, IA
Dear FRONTLINE,
Dear Frontline,
I happened upon “A Class Divided” tonight while scanning through the channels. This program should be aired on EVERY major television station during prime time instead of every "reality" show that is 90% of America is viewing. I not only feel like I learned something, but I know I'll pass this on to all of my other stay-at-home friends to share with their children.
Many thanks for airing this wonderful and informative show.
Dallas, Texas
Dear FRONTLINE,
I am a married African American mother of two and found this almost intoxicating to watch with my child. By the end of its showing, he thought that his school should use this excercise so they can see how any group of people other than whites can see the sterotype that is placed on even the smallest and most innocent people.
I as a parent would love to see this practiced throughout our school districts here in Texas where we are simply divided by our financial status. Add being other than white and you are a total outcast! Thanks Pbs for showing this film. It also shows the quality of your broadcast and all the positives you bring to all races!
Oneka Williams
Carrollton, Texas
Dear FRONTLINE,
I think this was one of the best ways I have ever seen anyone get across to white adults how it really feels sometimes to be black or brown.
I really loved seeing at the end, when it made some of them stop and think how often did I treat someone like that?. I don't understand why this is not done in every school in the USA!!!!! We could really use it. Thank You!
Julia Marion
swansea, il
Dear FRONTLINE,
I'm a middle aged Hispanic.
Can you imagine a child wishing he or she where white so that you could be accepted? Isn't that terrible?
Chicago, IL
Dear FRONTLINE,
I had the priviledge to be one Ms. Elliot's students when I worked for a company in Colorado. She is powerful and she gave me the power!! It is good to have power!!
willis b
covington, ga
Dear FRONTLINE,
No one can honestly understand the feeling of discrimination except those has to face it day in and day out for the rest of your life or just being born other than white.
Robert Petty Jr
Union City, Georgia
Dear FRONTLINE,
I'm a 16 year old high school student here in Western Tennessee and I have just finished watching the program. I came online in hopes of the program being online. I was in luck. I watched it again and I was amazed yet again.
Today, there's still much racism to conquer and teaching people when they're young that color is such a trivial thing to judge someone by should be done more often in our schools across America.
. If other teachers would take Mrs. Elliot's lesson and apply it in their own classrooms, we may begin to piece America's shallow attitude about colors and ethnicity together to form a nation where you're judged by who you are and what you think rather than a color in a box crayons. I admire Jane Elliot for her bravery and ambition to overcome discrimination.
Amber McCaig
Milan, Tennessee
Dear FRONTLINE,
I was first exposed to Ms. Elliot at a diversity conference in Nashville, Tn. about 8 years ago. Some of my colleagues also attended that conference. Since that time I've witnessed very little change. It seems that discrimination exists on a concious level to maintain and enforce the status quo. Ms. Elliot's students were unknowingly being discriminatory, but any adults practice it knowlingly and that's much harder to change.
It's ironic that one message posted here from Canada expressed a concern about the rights of Ms. Elliots students being violated. I wonder if he feel the same concern for people that have had their rights violated for over 300 years!
Gary Dennis
Cleveland, Tn
Dear FRONTLINE,
WOW, I am so glad my son and I got a chance to see this program.
He is almost ten and what a lesson for him. There is so much garbage on television these days. This program should be shown prime time instead of those stupid reality shows. We call them teach America to be stupid shows.
Kudos to Miss Elliot! I admire you!
Patricia Baralt
Bechtelsville , Pa
Dear FRONTLINE,
It is remarkable to see how easily those who are discriminated against can retreat, become defensive and do not band together and those who believe that they are superior become aggressive and feel that they are indeed better. Just by simply being repeatedly reminded that those with blue eyes were inferior to those with brown.
This simple but effective method was so powerful that even now, and I have seen this program many times before, still rivets me. It makes me shudder at the fact that so many people fall into the trap and believe that what is on the outside, the facade of these earthly shells, is what is important without ever exploring the inner person, the soul of the individual, before making a judgement or opinion. This example clearly shows how the atrocities in pre-war and war time Eroupe and in United States history to the present, in some cases, can be perpetuated.
James Richards
West River, Maryland
Dear FRONTLINE,
I am a 41 year old bi-racial male who is a counselor and educator here in RI. One of my clients was burned to death in the recent fire tragedy here. He was a 35 yr old white male, married father of two. I had met his wife because of doing family sessions while he was in treatment, however, I never met any of his friends or other family.
Last night I attended his wake with my Dominican wife to lend my support and pay respects. When I finally got through that very crowded room to the pregnant wife of the deceased, she grabbed hold of me tight and sobbed onto my shoulder. It felt as though she didn't want to let go, like my shoulders could bare some of her burden. Even while this was happening my wife and I could feel the stares of the white family and friends in attendance. It was almost as if they "let me get away with that" because of the situation. This really is only a day in the life of someone who has spent his life not wanting to chose sides on the race issue.
My mother was Italian, blond hair, blue eyes and my dad was a tall broad shouldered Jamaican. I am very comfortable with who I am and how I look. While watching "A Class Devided", I couldn't help but see the same looks and attitudes coming from those children and from the blue eyed corrections officers that I saw at the wake last night. I praise the teacher but I am torn about the actual long term effects of what she is trying to do. Most people who understand the economic system we find ourselves trapped in know that it is in the best interests of a few rich and powerfull people to keep this "A Country Divided". Please continue to show this film and maybe one person at a time change will begin to take place.
Warwick, Rhode Island
Dear FRONTLINE,
“A Class Divided” is one of the best TV programs I have ever seen. I wish all elementary schools in the United States should consider adopting this program as part of their curriculum.
Thank you PBS. Way to go!
Badrul Khan
Springfield, VA
Dear FRONTLINE,
Jane Elliot characterizes the real meaning of HUMANE. What an amazing teacher and human being.
Her simple yet profound lesson proves that students will perform according to an adult's expectations. As an educator I am not surprised by this. I find this message promising in being able to give students with special needs the ability to know they are worthwhile and capable learners.
joyce shellem
gardners, pa
Dear FRONTLINE,
It is striking that such a "simple exercise" should have the power to tear down denial. As a person of African ancestry, I could only hope that this simple exercise would be replicated for every white person in America. Without such intervention I believe the majority will remain blind, deaf and dumb to the reality of racism that people of color live with each and every day.
Washington, DC 
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