The maxim “never judge a book by its cover” is perhaps one of the most popular and well-known in the world, and yet despite its accuracy, it’s a crime most people are still guilty of.
This is exhibited best in a video UNICEF uploaded on Facebook to raise awareness to poverty-stricken children not being given the opportunity to rise up and have their fair chance at a good life.
Titled “Georgia Social Experiment,” the now-viral video aims to start a discourse about how we treat children in public places.
The social experiment stars a six-year-old girl named Anano. She is a child actor. At the beginning of the video, she is seen standing alone in a busy street.
She is dressed well in a stockings and pink coat. To the untrained eye, she looks like a prim and proper little girl. Anano, however, is alone.
Immediately, people take notice. Approaching her, asking her questions: where she is from, why is she alone. People are kind with her, affectionate, and they show genuine concern for her wellbeing, willing to assist any way they could.
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Then the video shows Anano back in the make up chair, where she is made to look homeless and dirty, wearing raggedy clothes.
When she is placed back in the same location, one immediately sees the shift in people’s attitude. Most people ignore her. No one offers help, and no one asks her questions.
The next location the video shows is at the food court. Anano’s former alter ego is offered food, smiled at and talked to.
Meanwhile, her latter alter ego is feared, subjected to others’ disgust.
Other people even shoo her away. The people’s responses are so harsh that we see Anano run off camera, crying her eyes out. The experiment, after that point, is then terminated.
If after watching the video you feel uneasy, feel as if your heart is heavy, then the video has done a successful job at its goal. Every child has the potential to be great.
The only thing they need is a fair chance, if someone gives it to them.
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