Essential Question: Does discrimination affect people caught in the cycle of poverty? If so, how much does this make a difference?
“A Class Divided: A Study in Expectations and Racism”
Directions: Before viewing the documentary clips, read the following and answer questions 1-3.
In discussing the cycle of poverty, we have learned that education and cultural factors are both large parts of this cycle, both positive and negative. We learned that the numbers of children living in poverty from certain minority groups can be up to 3 times higher than those of white Americans. We also learned that African American and Hispanic Americans are less likely to attend college, which cans sometimes directly keep the cycle of poverty in action.
- How much of a person’s ability to pull themselves out of poverty and better their education is based on discrimination by others in society?
- Do you believe there is still racism that can affect minority groups’ ability to break out of the cycle of poverty?
- Do you believe your own personal education in high school, including the grades you make can be affected by society’s attitudes on “who is smarter”? Why or why not?
Directions: After viewing the documentary clips, answer the following questions based on what you observed.
- What did you learn about discrimination from the brown eyed/blue eyed experiment?
- What does the scene where the students do the flash card packs tell you about people’s ability to do well on tests?
- Do you think the way the children reacted to being told they weren’t “as good as the others” is similar to how minority groups react to discrimination by American society? In what ways?
“John Stossel: Expectations and Stereotypes”
Directions: After viewing the clip, answer the following questions based on what you observed.
- What surprised you most in this segment from 20/20?
- What does this teach you that you can use in the future with regards to your own personal expectations about your education and future?