On 30th September, Miss Montague carried out a social experiment by judging us by our eye colour. People with blue eyes could get extra play time, get a homework pass every Wednesday and extra golden time. Some people got very upset that they were being treated differently and unfairly- someone even started a petition. Most of the people with blue eyes enjoyed it but thought it wasn’t right. Some held a silent protest by not going out for the extra play, even though they had blue eyes.
By the end of lunch, Miss Montague told us that she was doing this to highlight an injustice that occurred in recent history and that October was Black History Month. During this month, achievements of black people are remembered and celebrated. It is also a time to remember their history. Apartheid (meaning separateness) happened in South Africa and black people were not happy because they didn’t have the privileges that white people had. This happened because the white people took charge and made unfair laws such as separate buses, separate schools, the Landowners Law and black people had to have a pass to get to certain places. By separating our class based on eye colour, Miss Montague was highlighting how unfair this time was. We are now reading a book in class called Journey to Jo’burg which is set in South Africa during Apartheid.
By Tom and Mary, P6 Montague
