Editor's note: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Anderson Cooper and AC360° producers created a study exploring kids' views on race, and tune in tonight at 8 and 10 p.m. ET.
It had been a while since our production team hung out in elementary or middle schools, but while some things change, others remain the same. Some kids were still cliquey, bells still rang when it was time to change classes and students still walked in single file lines. But students today seem to be more affected by the constantly changing world around them, in a way many from my generation weren't. There was talk of bullying, Martin Luther King and equality - and those comments came from both 6-year-olds and 13-year-olds. From the mouths of babes!
Spending time with young people is always invigorating. However, for our team, working 12 straight hours, starting at 4 and 5 am, left us depleted by the end of some days. Also, we were on an early morning school schedule which is something members of our late-working AC360 staff aren't used to normally.
In this behind-the-scenes preview, Anderson Cooper describes "Kids on Race: The Hidden Picture," the groundbreaking year-long investigative study that will air the week of April 2 at 8 and 10 p.m. ET. Race relations is one of the most explosive issues in America and for many, it’s one of the most taboo to talk about, especially with children. For this special report, AC360° contracted a renowned child psychologist to help us understand how race influences a child’s world.
This week @AC360 passed 100,000 followers on Twitter! We thought long and hard in a series of intense brainstorming sessions about how to best mark the milestone. The finest champagne (drunk producers are hilarious, but ineffective), a hot air balloon ride (too many of us to comfortably fit in one basket), a pet bird for the show (no volunteers to clean the cage), a choreographed flash mob (varying skills of coordination in this group), an extra vacation day for all (bosses vetoed), a permanent balloon arch in the newsroom (gets old after a while), matching Twitter bird tattoos (requires needles), a break-out Parkour session (too many expensive cameras nearby), diamond pendants (budget restrictions).
In this behind-the-scenes preview, Anderson Cooper describes "Kids on Race: The Hidden Picture," the groundbreaking year-long investigative study that will air the week of April 2 at 8 and 10 p.m. ET. Race relations is one of the most explosive issues in America and for many, it’s one of the most taboo to talk about, especially with children. For this special report, AC360° contracted a renowned child psychologist to help us understand how race influences a child’s world.
The CNN commissioned pilot study builds on the original Doll Test’s historic research done in the 1940s that examined how African -American children interpret race, discrimination and stigma. Teaming up with child psychologist Dr. Melanie Killen, the report scientifically explored how kids view interracial contact in their daily lives. The children, ages six and thirteen, were shown images that were designed to be ambiguous to children. “What is happening in this picture” was the starting point for interviews conducted with the group of 145 African-American and Caucasian children in six schools across three states. The report explored how children’s interpretations of the images changed when the races of the characters were switched.
This series will tackle controversial issues and answer some difficult questions. Is race a factor in how children view conflicts and choose friends? Do children see race or are they, as many parents believe, socially colorblind? How, when and why do they form their opinions on race? Can those opinions change over time or at a certain age, are kids “hard-wired” about race? And does the racial make-up of their school and environment affect their opinions on race? Anderson along with CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien will share with the viewers the children’s answers and the conclusions our researcher drew from their responses.
Tweet your thoughts about the upcoming @AC360 series using hashtag #KidsOnRace. Find out more about the project from the CNN Press Room and be sure to watch starting Monday, April 2 at 8 and 10 p.m. ET on CNN.
Anderson Cooper was joined by CNN's political team for special coverage of the Republican presidential contests on Super Tuesday 2012. Click each thumbnail to view the behind-the-scenes pictures taken on the set in Atlanta.
For our executive producer's birthday, we surprised him with memories of his college rock days, a token of his favorite band, cake, and lunch from a highfalutin eatery. Go behind the scenes as the AC360° staff redecorates in honor of our fearless leader, Charlie Moore.
As a gift from the show's staff, AC360's floor director, Kevin, does his best Gumby impression. We also added a cake, Twinkies, Ring Dings and Yodels to top it off.
A behind-the-scenes look at Radio City Music Hall, with a New Year's Eve message for Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin from the Rockettes. Don't miss Anderson and Kathy's live show from Times Square on Saturday at 11 p.m. ET!
AC360’s Jessica Conner takes us behind the camera during Vladimir Duthiers' first live appearance on CNNI’s “Connect the World.” Vladimir reports on Miguel, a boy discovered in a hole on the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He was abandoned and found with bruises on his face and lashings on his back. The story puts a face to human trafficking.
Watch Vladimir’s report from Haiti about Miguel's story.
Follow Vladimir Duthiers and Jessica Conner on Twitter.
In this behind-the-scenes video, Anderson Cooper and the AC360 team answer "What are you thankful for on Thanksgiving?" Share your answer in a comment. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
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