Dragon was away from home today. I spent the day doing what I always do. The kids did school work and I supervised. When school work was done and the kids had some free time, I worked on my own projects. It was a nice normal day.
It was getting late and he STILL wasn't home. The kids were in bed, animals fed and the house was locked up. Nice and quiet. So I decided to have a movie night. Just me. Dragon can't watch this one. Too much violence that triggers PTSD.
American History X
So much violence and hate. Brutal. It was chilling.
It was meant to draw the audience into the hate. It doesn't matter which "side" you are on, it draws you in. Lets you believe for just a little while that all things bad in the world can be blamed on "them". Them who? Whites? Blacks? Hispanics, Jews, Muslims or Christians. Even gays. Yep. It is them. Not me. No no. There isn't anything wrong with my hateful thinking.
The movie shows how just a little trash talk can change hearts and not in a good way. It is easy to teach people how to hate. It is much harder to teach them love.
I couldn't help but think about a children's bible song.
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little ears what you hear
Oh be careful little mouth what you say
Oh be careful little hands what you do
Oh be careful little feet where you so
For the father up above is looking down in love
It is so important to show love and kindness in everything we do. As humans, we slip up. We get hurt and then get bitter. A little trash talk and a family isn't safe in their own home anymore. A little more trash talk and someone dies.
"The pen is mightier than the sward"
My voice is just as powerful to those around me.
I have a lot to think about and even more still to learn.
Life is hard. God didn't promise us an easy road, only that he would be there for us. He teaches us to love and to forgive. So many lessons in one short movie.
Now I understand why Dragon had Amber watch that movie when she was talking trash and angry at the world. Now I understand the change in her after she watched that movie.
Hard to watch. Not for small children, those with PTSD or weak stomachs.
Worth Watching? Absolutely (once)
Ps I am very happy Dragon is home. That movie is going to give me bad dreams.
I tried to get through that movie but wasn't able too. A lot of what you noted was too much but on one hand you can appreciate it for the writing and the thought provoking detail that went into it. I won't watch creepy/scary things when he isn't around - too much on the brain. *smile*
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Dragon can't watch it. Too many PTSD triggers. He bought the movie last year for our oldest to watch when she was hanging out with the wrong kind of people. I understand why he made her watch it now.
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