Today was our second day of dividing MS Eagles into the “reds” and “oranges,” an experiment launched by giving each Eagle a red or orange bandana.
The results were startling. Below, statements overheard during the day:
“We are the Orange Empire. We must assemble to protect ourselves.”
“Red’s have the smartest and best.”
“We are going to hold you hostage.”
“From now on, only the Red’s can…”
“You, Orange, you are going to jail in the girl’s bathroom.”
“Freeze Red, in the name of justice.”
“You Oranges are weaklings.”
“Who is your leader? We will assassinate him.”
The most aggressive tribe began wearing bandanas over their faces, outlaw style, as if to protect their identities.
All of this occurred after Eagles watched a video about mass killings of Hutus by the Tutsi in Burundi, and Guides pleaded for all to work together in harmony.
In the Elementary School, where the experiment was running in parallel, a study group that has worked together for over a year split up. One identical twin Orange turned against her Red sister.
All because some Eagles were handed red pieces of cloth; others orange.
Only one Orange said he couldn’t turn against the Red. His family has strong ties to the University of Oklahoma (red jerseys), rivals to the hometown Texas Longhorns (who wear orange.) Apparently some tribal affiliations are stronger than others.
Many years ago, I met a man who worked for General Electric in Yugoslavia. He told of being warned by the US State Department to leave the country because ethnic tensions were on the rise:
“I told them the warning was ridiculous. I knew these people. The Serb and Croat neighbors on my street had lived and worked together for decades and were peaceful people. Yet I was ordered to leave.”
He continued: “Less than 24 hours later, neighbors on my street, people I knew, friends who had barbequed together and whose children were lifelong friends, were butchering each other.”
Tribal affiliations are a powerful and deeply imbedded part of our human nature. Something Eagles who want to change the world should understand, on a gut level.
Tomorrow, a powerful twist on the experiment. Then we bring all of the Eagles back together into one tribe.
