Dr. Suess's Hate Film

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Written by Theodore Geisel (better known as Dr. Suess.) He actually won an Academy Award for this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfg-RSOMFmQ...ted&search=

[almaty 19]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Could you explain how it is racist to say "keep careful watch on that country (and nationals thereof) we just defeated in war"?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It is sometimes not possible to apply modern values and perspective to an historic occurance - different times and places create different contexts. It is important to view things in their historical perspective. It doesn't necessarily 'excuse' them, but it goes a long way to explaining them.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Could you explain how it is racist to say "keep careful watch on that country (and nationals thereof) we just defeated in war"?

Now Sriniv that's not quite "all" it says.

Here's a small sampling of some of the more repugnant lines (of course you can't get the additional impact of the film's sneering tone without listening to the audio):

… the German states combined, serving notice to all that their religion was higher… that their God was blood.

The German lust for conquest is not dead. It’s merely gone undercover.

They believe they were born to be masters, that we are inferiors; designed to be their slaves. They may deny it now, but they believe it, and they will try to prove it again.

Someday the German people might be cured of their disease. The “Super Race” disease. The “World Conquest” disease. But they must prove that they have been cured, beyond the shadow of a doubt, before they ever again are allowed to take their place among respectable nations.

and my personal favorite -- about the KIDS:

Guard particularly against this group -- these are the most dangerous: German youth. Children when the Nazi party came into power, they know no other system than the one that poisoned their minds. They’re soaked in it. Trained to win by cheating. Trained to pick on the weak.

Ironically, the film goes on to make this statement:

They were brought up on propaganda -- the worst educational crime in the history of the world.

He wrote one about the Japanese, too -- haven't seen it yet, but I hear it's not as vicious and doesn't attempt to smear the entire Japanese people.

Edited October 11, 2006 by wife_of_mahmoud

[Anna C. 4]

It's bad because it's like saying a child of a murderer has to be punished for his parents actions. It's like the people nowadays who claim that all muslims were terrorists. It is simply wrong to judge a group by some individuals. I expected more from a Dartmouth graduate.

[Welshcookie 17]

It is sometimes not possible to apply modern values and perspective to an historic occurance - different times and places create different contexts. It is important to view things in their historical perspective. It doesn't necessarily 'excuse' them, but it goes a long way to explaining them.

I couldn't have said it better ....

[Mags 112]

It is sometimes not possible to apply modern values and perspective to an historic occurance - different times and places create different contexts. It is important to view things in their historical perspective. It doesn't necessarily 'excuse' them, but it goes a long way to explaining them.

I couldn't have said it better ....

Just what I was thinking. This was made in 1945...over 50 years ago. WW2 had just (or was about to be) finished, emotions were high, the German's were hated by the Allies etc. It simply doesn't apply now. You can't really bring this up unless it is for some historical significance only. You can't play the hate/racism card for this...it's a bit late.

Alot has happened in 50 years y'know.

Edited October 11, 2006 by mags

[MrsWhizz 0]

If you think it's that offensive, why would you link it to a public site to draw further attention to it?

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Of course it's a film made just after World War II when "emotions" were high. That doesn't make it any less racist.

Terrible things were done to native Americans, black people, Japanese people and more in the past -- right here in the U.S. But that's no reason to say "Oh well we can't talk about it now. It was just the way things were then."

It's important to confront history, lest you be doomed to repeat it. (The original quote is much better but I disremember it right now -- someone here can provide it, I am sure.) And there are parallels from this film that could be drawn to "certain" current perceptions about "certain" groups of people.

Anyway, I think one of the main reasons that it's fascinating is because it was written by.... (of all people!!!) .... DR. SUESS

[Mirorgate 0]

snip...

Anyway, I think one of the main reasons that it's fascinating is because it was written by.... (of all people!!!) .... DR. SUESS

yeah, who would have thought that the guy was actually... well.. you know.... human. Complete with human feelings and emotions. Why that ripe bastage! How dare he!

ppl all over make stupid mistakes. Some are doomed to repeat them because they dont learn. at all. ever.

Others will pick themselves up and move on, learn from the past, and correct the error.

Only history being learned will dictate which side of the fence you fell off on.

[Welshcookie 17]

Of course it's a film made just after World War II when "emotions" were high. That doesn't make it any less racist.

Terrible things were done to native Americans, black people, Japanese people and more in the past -- right here in the U.S. But that's no reason to say "Oh well we can't talk about it now. It was just the way things were then."

It's important to confront history, lest you be doomed to repeat it (The original quote is much better but I disremember it right now -- someone here can provide it, I am sure.) And there are parallels from this film that could be drawn to "certain" current perceptions about "certain" groups of people.

Anyway, I think one of the main reasons that it's fascinating is because it was written by.... (of all people!!!) .... DR. SUESS

Then say what you want to say....instead of posting about what Theodore Geisel did 50+ years ago...I just found it confusing as to the reason of the thread....

[keltic 1]

It is simply wrong to judge a group by some individuals.

the nazi party was more than just 'some individuals'... it was organized and large enough to cause and perpetuate a world war that lasted 6 years

that does not mean that ALL germans, italians or japanese believed what the nazi party believed... but in the wake of the enormous amount of death, it would be foolish to not be watchful and careful

seems to me that in the 51 years since the end of the war, the allies have done much to rebuild germany... not only the damage done by the allies, but also the axis... how long should someone be judged for past actions? at what point do you say, it is history and we cant change what happened, but we can try to make it better?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Damn german chopfukcs

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Then say what you want to say....instead of posting about what Theodore Geisel did 50+ years ago...I just found it confusing as to the reason of the thread....

I do say what I want to say. And I post whatever I like. Same as you

Damn german chopfukcs

LOL that's the ticket