Originally Posted by Twain
I agree with you in principle, that the truth is preferable to a sugar coated lie. But full exposure to the truth should be connected with emotional and intellectual maturity. The relative innocence of childhood is too short as it is. Do you want to eliminate it completely?
This basically sums up your opinion.
I partially agree, and taking children who will be disruptive, I.E. not pay attention/make noise is not worth it. But I do remember seeing Amistad, I didn't remember the plot of it, but I did see people of one race being treated badly because they were black, and I saw them suffer unjustly.
Now, I didn't come out of that movie violent, repressed or angry but I did have the ability to discern what is right and what is wrong. I'm glad I learned.
Here is the thing though, I don't believe my innocence was corrupted, in fact, I believe it was enhanced. I enjoyed the Toy Storys and Bambis as much as the other kid, but that only went so far. An knowledgeable understanding of the Civil War really created a sense of purpose for me, and of justice.
Here is another thing, I've attended multiple schools (christian, public upper class, public lower class, private, magnet lower class, etc.) and all of them have a warped view of things. By the time I hit the 6th grade I knew every swear word and what they meant, by the time I was in 7th I was comfortable using them in speech, like everyone else was, when 8th grade hit I was in the loser group and half my friends were already sexually active.
That's just the facts, my friend. High school was about alcohol and drugs, further perversions.
I'm not saying I didn't partake in any school sins or that I fit stereotypes portrayed by the media unjustly for that matter. But at least I know what happened during the holocaust (unlike the strong percentage of people who don't believe it, even contradicting their own parent's opinions) I know what slavery was, and I know who won the American Revolution (my very first girlfriend thought it was about the alamo). I have a knowledge of history that few kids know, and if that makes me un pure for having viewed that history at a young age, then so be it, because I'm glad I understand what is right and what is wrong.
Let me put it to you straight: We are currently involved in a war right now. Now, take the stupidest person alive and fill them with a basic knowledge of history and that person would run away from all things war. Yet, we continue to do it anyway, for various reasons. However, the main reason being that we don't learn from our mistakes, and that we incorrectly follow/pervert philosophy that supports war.
Now, imagine if everyone but 5 year olds had been wiped off the face off the planet. What would happen?
****.
That isn't going to happen, of course not, but the fact remains that too few of people I know and I know YOU know have no idea what history is. That's scary, because people who get straight A's barely pass history class today, and the counter culture of jew jokes and gay jokes and intimate portrayal of reverse discrimination is slowly choking that history down the ****ter.
If any human being, regardless of age, learns that killing another human being because they look at you different is wrong, then Praise be on High.
If I believe my child can sit through and understand the meaning of a movie about a historical event that carries dramatic purpose, I will take my child to go see that movie. At ANY age.
Because, when you sugar coat once, you might as well do it twice, and if you do it twice, what is to stop that child from no longer caring about history or it's repercussions.
The answer to that question is nothing, my friend, and I've got the numbers of the thousands of kids I've met in my life who would tell you the same exact thing.