From The Mouths Of Babes . . . .

[S-Des]

I took my 7 year-old to see Hairspray (thank goodness she was too young to get many of the references in the songs ). It was an amazing movie, with great performances by everyone involved. The music, dancing, & singing were marvelous, and I thought it was a home run in every way.

They got to the section where Tracy (the white girl) marched with all the black kids, and my daughter leaned in and whispered, "Why are they making such a fuss about people's skin?" It was really sweet and made me so glad that she's being brought up in a different era than I was. Even though there is much to be concerned about these days (and everything is far from perfect with the way we treat each other), it's good that she's shocked that such behavior was ever tolerated.

 

[cloudy]

I took my 7 year-old to see Hairspray (thank goodness she was too young to get many of the references in the songs ). It was an amazing movie, with great performances by everyone involved. The music, dancing, & singing were marvelous, and I thought it was a home run in every way.

They got to the section where Tracy (the white girl) marched with all the black kids, and my daughter leaned in and whispered, "Why are they making such a fuss about people's skin?" It was really sweet and made me so glad that she's being brought up in a different era than I was. Even though there is much to be concerned about these days (and everything is far from perfect with the way we treat each other), it's good that she's shocked that such behavior was ever tolerated.

Good on you. Color-blind kids are truly amazing.

I have a friend who's husband is black, and she is white. They have two boys, one older than my youngest and one the same age, that have played with my son for years.

One day, we're all in the car, me and C. in the front, and the three boys in the back. C and I are talking, and I said something about spidey being color blind, so she leans over and asks spidey, "What color are K and J?

Spidey looks at her for a moment, an expression on his face that says he's sure she's completely lost her mind, then says, "You're so silly," and goes back to playing.

 

[starrkers]

In case you hadn't guessed I'm a very standard Anglo Aussie. One of my youngest son's best friends is Aboriginal. He's completely clueless as to there being anything "different" about his mate. It's great.

When I was his age, Aborigines were only just being officially recognised as people.

 

[Vermilion]

In case you hadn't guessed I'm a very standard Anglo Aussie. One of my youngest son's best friends is Aboriginal. He's completely clueless as to there being anything "different" about his mate. It's great.

When I was his age, Aborigines were only just being officially recognised as people.

serious? *That* recently?

Christ.

 

[starrkers]

serious? *That* recently?

Christ.

Aboriginal Australians were first allowed to vote in 1967. I was 5.

 

[S-Des]

Aboriginal Australians were first allowed to vote in 1967. I was 5.

Hairspray was set in 1962, just before I was born. Although I missed out on the marches and much of the really hateful stuff, it was pretty common for people around me to say some nasty things that I don't hear in mixed company anymore. That was my point, that it is so nice she doesn't have to deal with those things on top of everything else kids have to face. It's good from time to time to see that we have made some improvements.

 

[Guest]

I loved the movie. Now all I want to know is if John Travolta will get a supporting Actress nod at the Oscars.

 

[sereneone4u]

Racism is alive and well in America. My close friend and I go out and I am appalled at the way people will treat her because she is a person of color.


Good to hear of kids though that know it should not matter.

 

[S-Des]

Racism is alive and well in America. My close friend and I go out and I am appalled at the way people will treat her because she is a person of color.

Yes, but the film was about a television show that didn't allow blacks to dance with the whites, only allowing them on the screen once a month for "Negro Day". While it may have been a fictional movie, the elements were very real. Random people having bigoted feelings versus segregation that is supported by the media and government are two very different things. Life isn't perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than it was then (in my lifetime).