Political Correctness vs My Nephew's School

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by clueless1, Oct 3, 2011.

  1. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598
    The teachers didn't ask the kids to write about the horrific attempts at genocide, or the politics of a psychopath. It was about the blitz, which I take to mean the intensive air raids where whole cities were reduced to rubble.

    If the school had asked a 7 year old to write about innocent families being snatched and sent to concentration camps to die, or mass graves being filled with the people that were forced to dig them before being cut down with machine gun fire, some of whom initially survived the gun shots and were therefore buried alive among their dead comrades, then I think I'd have been a bit outraged. Its stuff kids need to be taught, but not at 7 years old, and thankfully it seems the teachers understand this.

    These are tales that need to be told at some point, and kids need to understand the evil capabilities of a few extremely twisted people. More importantly, they need to understand that such evil people can get to power unless good people prevent it, preferably through peaceful means. I also think its important for kids to realise that just because we won the war, doesn't make it a flawless victory.

    As I understand it, it was a hell of a struggle, and I give credit not just to the young men that actually fought with guns, but also to all those young and old that were for various reasons not combat worthy enough for the front line, so worked tirelessly to keep the country running, keeping people fed, putting fires out, erecting prefab homes, collecting scrap metal for the ammo factories etc etc etc. There's a lesson there in what can be achieved if people pull together selflessly rather than wanting everything for nothing, and there's another lesson there that people who lived through it, even if they never fought, are worthy of respect.

    World history would be very different if the ordinary people of 1930's Germany hadn't succumbed to hitler's brainwashing, and had not elected him to power, and had stopped to consider that what he was saying might just have been wrong. There's a lesson there, that we shouldn't take one side of a story as fact, but should instead look at all angles and use our brains a bit more.
     
  2. music

    music Memories Are Made Of This.

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2009
    Messages:
    3,415
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    A Little Bit Of This And A Little Bit Of That.
    Location:
    Scotland
    Ratings:
    +2,786
    I Came through WW2 ,Born 1940. I cant remember much about it. i vaguely remember Gasmasks, Air Raid Shelters, Whistling Bombs, And Baffle Walls outside the close mouth.

    The reason i remember Baffle Walls because many a sore face i had running into them ,as a wee yin. :wallbang::wallbang:..
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jul 3, 2006
      Messages:
      64,880
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired - Last Century!!!
      Location:
      Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
      Ratings:
      +127,067

      Hear! Hear! :yess:

      All religions should be allowed to worship but not to the detriment of this country's traditions.
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jul 3, 2006
        Messages:
        64,880
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired - Last Century!!!
        Location:
        Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
        Ratings:
        +127,067

        A well thought out posting. :dbgrtmb:

        Your last paragraph is pointed up by today being the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street. A quarter of a million people turned out to show that they abhorred what Oswald Mosely stood for. Unfortunately it turned to violence.

        As I was brought up in the East End and North London I knew many people who were at that battle. They all said that they regretted that there was violence but it finished Mosely's (and the Blackshirt's) rise of popularity.
         
      • Madahhlia

        Madahhlia Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 19, 2007
        Messages:
        3,678
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Suburban paradise
        Ratings:
        +3,090
        Trouble is, Hallowe'en is not exactly a Christian festival but it's definitely British, and British Christians often oppose it.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jul 3, 2006
          Messages:
          64,880
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired - Last Century!!!
          Location:
          Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
          Ratings:
          +127,067
          You're right. :thumbsup:

          Although based in a number of religions, Hallowe'en as we know it now is a secular festival. There are some Christians that are opposed to it but some even oppose having a radio (let alone a TV or other godforsaken devilish instruments) but we don't let this affect how we teach our children.

          It has been pleasant having a civilised discussion about a contentious subject but I'm aware that these type of threads have led to more irate discussions. So I have decided to bow out of this one as we (I :heehee:) are bound to end up going deeper into side issues. Mea Culpa :DOH: :love30:
           
        • Val..

          Val.. Confessed snail lover

          Joined:
          Aug 2, 2010
          Messages:
          6,355
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Hay-on-Wye, Hereford
          Ratings:
          +4,951
          I would say that it is more American than British, we never 'celebrated' Halloween when I was a child, this is all relatively new!!

          Val
           
        • clueless1

          clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

          Joined:
          Jan 8, 2008
          Messages:
          17,778
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Here
          Ratings:
          +19,598
          Technically its neither. Its ancient Celtic (Samhain), and the Celts came from mainland Europe.
           
        • Madahhlia

          Madahhlia Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 19, 2007
          Messages:
          3,678
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Suburban paradise
          Ratings:
          +3,090
          We had a wild time at Hallowe'en, dressing up as ghosts, traipsing about in long black clothes, apple bobbing, playing with candles....

          No Trick or Treating, that is definitely American.
           
        • gcc3663

          gcc3663 Knackered Grandad trying to keep up with a 4yr old

          Joined:
          May 6, 2011
          Messages:
          3,860
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          North Tyneside/South Northumberland
          Ratings:
          +1,663
          Nobody remember Mischief Night then?? - trick or treat without the option. (or was that just in Yorkshire?)
           
        Loading...

        Share This Page

        1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
          By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
          Dismiss Notice