The Kenneth en Mamie Clarks' doll experiments grew out of Mamie Clark's master's degree thesis. They published three major papers between 1939 and 1940 on children's self perception related to race. Their studies found contrasts among African-American children attending segregated schools in Washington, DC versus those in integrated schools in New York.
I believe the reason that these children want to be white or believe the white doll is better is because of majorities or powerful position at the point of time this experiment was done, there weren't many African American/Black people in power.
I would like to redo the experience today 2014, but with President Obama present, conducting the questionnaire with the kids. Children are innocent, and their perception as well, as the perception of many adults are influenced or based on the media's portrayal of color.
It matters that Angelina Jolie's white child plays with black dolls!
Angelina Jolie is known for her unconventional family, which includes three biological children with longtime partner Brad Pitt and adopted children from Cambodia, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Her multi-racial and multicultural family has generated headlines.
On a recent photo of the Jolie-Pitt kids seems to reinforce that Jolie and Pitt may be more conscious of racial and cultural diversity than the average parent.
The widely published photo captured the couple's biological daughter Vivienne carrying a black doll with short, tightly curled hair.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are so committed to promoting acceptance, and cultural sensitivity in their children so much that Pitt recently turned down a role as a slave-master in the critically-acclaimed film 12 Years A Slave.
Brad Pitt noted that he did not want his children seeing him in such a role.
The Jolie-Pitt family is constantly photographed, so their multi-racial image will improve our children's confidence and mutual respect, I hope!