Okay then, let's take another stab

[Merrida]

No one bit at my vampire movie, let's try this:

I am currently watching American HistoryX. I've always adored Ed Norton as an actor and thought he could portray all his parts beautifully and with surprising rendition. But before American HistoryX, I never realized the man could make me sweat and have to change my pants. Gorgeous to the nines.

So here's the ethical question: The young brother is told by his teacher to write a book report, on ANY book, the intent being to choose a book and then in the report, relay how it pertains to current America and American living.

So Furlong (who is also playing his part exquisitely to the nines with believability and grace), chooses the book Mein Kampf. He writes what is a technically good report, but the subject matter obviously raises hackles.

Here's the question: Should it matter?

Should that kid have to face any repercussions or punishment?

Did he do anything wrong?


Should he have had to write the report over on a totally new book because the principal, Sweeney (Avery Brooks) is taking a hit on it.

Should the fact that he is aware Furlong's older brother Norton is a reported skinhead have any true, educational merit when evaluating this kid's book report?

Discuss?

I know I pick hot topics, ones that potentially spark debate, but that's also part of who I am intrinsically, so I find the exchange interesting.

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[Merrida]

Oh come on guys....is the question too thought provoking, or too hot to handle.

What if it were your kid who picked out a book to write about. Are you thankful he's in school and can write and read and know history? Or more offended because he chose a book you find personally distasteful.

And to anyone who read it, you know it's mere ramblings with little plot of forethought conglomerated into essays, so it's also a fairy easy book if you want to dissect it.

That aside, 29 views, no comments? Let's not shy away.

Would we feel better kids if our children wrote their book reports from Arnold's Body Building guide?

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[luke.w]

I wouldn't have a problem with it if the indivdual wasn't worshiping the person in that book.

I find nothing wrong with writing a book report on mein kampf, black panthers who ever.
I may find any of that interesting reading?

however in the movie case, and there are "nazi" skins who worship such people, we have a problem.


I would never do a book report on hate groups and those types of people, I'd be able to put forth more focuas (and better chance of an "A" paper) with a mafia story, I don't worship these guys, however the reading I can never get enough of that life.

.....and they are mostly bad people, and sometimes I really find it sick what I read on that area.

[Merrida]

Originally Posted by luke.w

I wouldn't have a problem with it if the indivdual wasn't worshiping the person in that book.

I find nothing wrong with writing a book report on mein kampf, black panthers who ever.
I may find any of that interesting reading?

however in the movie case, and there are "nazi" skins who worship such people, we have a problem.


I would never do a book report on hate groups and those types of people, I'd be able to put forth more focuas (and better chance of an "A" paper) with a mafia story, I don't worship these guys, however the reading I can never get enough of that life.

.....and they are mostly bad people, and sometimes I really find it sick what I read on that area.

What would be wrong if they did feel a kindredship with that person?

How many of us have read books by tyrants, by people whose philosphies we totally disagree with but who have qualities that are pretty incredible. Hitler for example displayed an extraordinary ability to mass-mesmerize people, to convince them to unite and fight for a common cause. That is a remarkable quality. The fact he put it to such inhumane and filthy uses, and that his antizionistic and anti-everything basically, mind got so warped and his intents were foul to the world, is a strong matter. But the book report may not have been on that aspect.

So would you recommend our kids only write reports or see visions of people we agree with?

There are things President Hoover did that I have problems with but if it weren't for him, we'd also be steps behind where we are.

I just don't understand what is wrong with kids doing a book report on someone, on a person whose politics we may not like,....

To suggest they can only write about happy people in happy places doing happy things to make happy people happier reminds me of: No one can win at baseball because it hurts our kids if they don't constantly experience equality.

It's important they see both sides out there, the dark & ugly, and the bold & beautiful (that sounds like a soap opera), but the idea isn't to restrict their access, but to show them what's out there (do we stop teaching about wars?),....and help educate them as to what's wrong, and how to make the earth a better place (and that better place does not mean walking on egg shells).

A lot of victorian literature was rather racist, yet we accept it. Why is that?
How do we, or any of you draw that line?

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[Dan C]

Originally Posted by Merrida

I just don't understand what is wrong with kids doing a book report on someone, on a person whose politics we may not like,....

.

I think Luke brought up a good point. The problem isn't with someone simply doing a report on Mein Kampf, watching a documentary on the KKK or doing any of kind of similar study... the problem is when people buy into the hate philosophy (or furthers the hate).

It seems that was the case in American History X.

[luke.w]

in that movie sweeny tried to help that kid, IMO that should be what teachers should do.

that kid hung around nazi skins and sweeny and his teacher knew it, they knew how his brother turned out. the kid needed some tough love.

if I were in his shoes I'd want a teacher to throw that report in the garbage, just as much as if I were worshipping gangsters hanging with 'em everyday after school and wrote my book report on someone I wanted to be like, (some mob boss).

[Merrida]

Originally Posted by luke.w

in that movie sweeny tried to help that kid, IMO that should be what teachers should do.

that kid hung around nazi skins and sweeny and his teacher knew it, they knew how his brother turned out. the kid needed some tough love.

if I were in his shoes I'd want a teacher to throw that report in the garbage, just as much as if I were worshipping gangsters hanging with 'em everyday after school and wrote my book report on someone I wanted to be like, (some mob boss).

But I'm not talking about Sweeny trying to help the kid. Ed's character loved Sweeny at the get go, and yes, he's an excellent teacher.

My question was purely about the book report.

What about zealous fundamentalists? Do they do no harm?

What about believing in or writing about the books put about people whose billion dollar televangelism touts a good deed with a dark undertone yet these individuals and their preaching and books (not just the bible) are being worshipped and draining people dry?

What about anti-white movements? Anti-Christian movements?

So I wasn't talking about the entire movie American History (Norton's turn around was dramatic as was the pain he had to feel throughout), but I just wanted to talk about writing a book report.

So you feel we should only permit our kids to write book reports on "good people" who'll make the world a happy place?

Supremacy idealogy is shown in ways far more destructive than Mein Kampf.

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[Merrida]

Concisely put: What? We only expose our kids to books that have no negative potential influence on their behavior? (Let's forget the movies they watch however about pedophielia, hate against women, democrat/republican, tree-hugging liberals who eat granola,....and probably shouldn't let our kids read about Timothy Leary for bring LSD to the forefront even though it was only the non-academic abuse that caused the backlash (lest our kids LSD actually did serve a functional purpose including non-addictive pain control,...)..because exposure to learning about "aspects" of not necessarily positively-influenced agenda-ridden individuals,....may what? Turn all our kids into whackos?

I've read a lot of books (probably on one of those silly "watch lists" when you enjoy reading things that I do),....does not mean every kid will apply them.

That was my argument? Sheild the kid from exposure assuming it'll manifest negatively? Or expose them and teach them morals and respect.

This post wasn't about if Mein Kampf was a good read or not (the book had too many tangents was obviously written at a time when Hitler was losing his faculties),...and it's not if that kid turned into a skinhead from the book or its influence (along with brother and dad).

The question I'm asking and am curious about is: What's your take? We sheild our kids to only write non-challening book reports in school about happy people and happy times?

Just did not want my query taken out of context into war division.

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by Merrida

So you feel we should only permit our kids to write book reports on "good people" who'll make the world a happy place?
.

you'll see in my first post I said it didn't matter who someone writes a book report on, so with that said I have no debate with this disscussion.

I only debated against the character in the movie and why he wrote about Kamfp.

[westside24]

[quote=Merrida;402971]What's your take? We sheild our kids to only write non-challening book reports in school about happy people and happy times?[quote]

The dog is good, the dog is nice.
The tree is green, the tree is nice?