(no subject)

[the_rck]

Delia has taken to watching Schoolhouse Rock. Most mornings, before school, she watches the whole thing on shuffle. I cringe at some of the America Rock stuff but haven't figured out a way to talk about it that communicates the problems I see to Delia without making her feel defensive. The songs are ridiculously catchy and optimistic. Hearing them, I want reality to be that simple.

I also cringe at one of the science songs. This is the one about sources of energy. When it talks about coal, it says, "It seemed like the final solution." I can't hear that phrase without thinking of the Holocaust. I get that they wanted something rhyme with "Industrial Revolution" in the next line, but seriously? Those words carry weight. Or am I overreacting? Is it just me?

Comments

[retsuko.livejournal.com]

Regardless of whether you're overreacting, I think you might want to pick your battles wisely. If Delia really likes Schoolhouse Rock and gets defensive about it, then finding a way to talk to her that doesn't make her that way sounds like it will be more tricky than dealing with the content itself.

That said, "the final solution" sounds like a desperate rhyme written by a desperate writer! OTOH, I suppose that if I were asked to make up a fun song aimed at kids about the Industrial Revolution, I couldn't do much better. Maybe just encourage her to research the material behind the songs? The Industrial Revolution is well documented and finding out some of the real life working conditions of children and workers might dampen her enthusiasm for the song.

Just my $.02.

[the_rck]

I want to explain to her that the truth is more complicated than what's shown in the America Rock numbers. I just have to figure out how to do it. I don't know if she's ready for complicated. I'm not sure if I can get her to read up on anything. She's very resistant to reading that isn't for fun.