Special Events
Jane Elliott
Diversity Educator visits Nova Scotia to talk to students and decision makers
Jane Elliott
Promoting Diversity
Internationally known diversity activist Jane Elliot discussed power, privilege and the effects of discrimination with high school students in the metro area on March 19.
Ms. Elliott talked about the famous exercise she first did with Grade 3 students in 1968. It labeled them as superior or inferior based solely on eye colour and gave students the experience of being a visible minority.
Ms. Elliott has delivered workshops and presentations on prejudice and power around the world.
In Halifax, she put two students and a teacher through an exercise on unearned power.
Her demonstration showed that a person's physical characteristics -- over which they have no control -- can give that person power or negatively effect them. She stressed that traits such as gender, skin colour, height and age are not an achievement and should not be used as a basis to judge people.
She told students that while she has experienced threats, isolation and harassment because of her exercise, she continues to deliver her message today. And after 40 years, she still wants to see a day when she will no longer have to.
A student from Auburn Drive High School asked Ms. Elliot why it was so important to talk to high school students. She responded, "If I can get them young enough, then maybe I can really make a difference."
The presentation was part of a two-day trip to Halifax where Ms. Elliot also addressed the business community and government employees. The Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs worked with federal, provincial and municipal partners and various private-sector and community organizations to sponsor her visit.
Read the news release
Learn more about Jane Elliott
TopJane Elliott's visit to Nova Scotia was made possible through the generous donation of the following sponsors.
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