MovieChat Forums > Schoolhouse Rock! (1973) Discussion > Kind of overlooked some MAJOR historical...

Kind of overlooked some MAJOR historical topics

posted 15 years ago by BitterAsHell
6 replies | jump to latest

I don't mean this as some sort of anti-American thing, all countries have their unflattering chapters. But seriously, re: Schoolhouse Rock, to purport to teach about major themes and events in American history, without ONCE mentioning slavery, well...

And of course, electing not to teach about slavery then neccessitates totally omitting any discussion of the Civil War, which was arguably THE definitive event in American history, and a pretty major catalyst in transforming the USA into the country that it it today, not just in regards to race either(also in regards to governmental and judicial powers, for example). It's kind of hard not to notice this abscence when you watch the series today on YouTube and whatnot.

I'm sure if it were made today, they would cover slavery and other race-related issues. And I remain a fan of the series, to be sure.

[–] BitterAsHell 15 years ago

If, contrary to what I've written here, there actually was an episode that covered slavery and/or the Civil War, it would be cool if someone could tell me what it was called. I'd like to see that.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 4 years ago

They omitted tons of stuff about equal access for kids (race, gender disability)

Since this was made in the 1970s--this would be as far as they could go for everybody. Brown was handed down, schools were finally desegregating, Title IX was passed, and special education requiring disabilty access was passed.

It was probably hard for them to keep up with how fast everything was happening and figure out how to present it to kids in a commercial bite.

[–] Ripkens25 (1901) 4 years ago

Those little educational shorts were not meant to teach us about the history of man....the evil of man....the fall of civilization, etc.. They were just quick bytes about things like....grammar....basic government....emotions....the galaxy/planets, etc. Fun and easy things for a young mind. Not heavy issues about injustices in the world. I'm surprised this even needs to be said.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 4 years ago

I was commenting to the prior post--which was concerned re issues/why more were not covered when the series was made. Sure it would have been cool. but there was only so much they could do.

[–] Ripkens25 (1901) 4 years ago

I don't think it would have been "cool" to cover social injustices in little 2-minute jingles meant to be lightweight (and fun) fare for kids to learn basic things. For example, slavery...and the holocaust.....would NOT be appropriate fare for a jingle-based cartoon short. I mean.....are you kidding me?

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 4 years ago

my point was that the project worked with what it had. Looking back yes, it's not really accurate

Case in point

"The great American melting pot" in American Rock glossed over the bumps etc immigrants had when they got to America.

Yes I am sure my grandmother (great grandmother) had 'stories' re coming over and I don't think things went over as smooth

https://schoolhouserock.fandom.com/wiki/The_Great_American_Melting_Pot

But for being E/I material on Saturday mornings---it did it's job.