Failure to educate children about dangers of Communism?

Question

I'm 36 years old and American. I grew up during the Cold War, being taught that Communism was bad and evil. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing the day The Wall went down.

What's strange is, all they ever taught us in school, as well as at home - was simply that Communism was bad and evil.

I don't recall anyone ever teaching us, as children, thorough details as to *WHY* Communism was bad and evil. Did anyone ever teach you the WHYs of Communism being bad and evil? The closest thing to a "why" we were ever taught was that it was "un-American." Hmm. Ok. That doesn't tell us squat. Sushi is un-American, but that doesn't make it bad and evil. If Communism is bad and evil, I think children should be taught WHY it so.

I don't support Communism. I just find it strange that us Gen X'ers weren't educated very well in this area. Maybe it was just my schools, or was it like this at schools everywhere?

Answer 1

I'm Cuban and no one had to teach me why Communism was evil. I lived it! As a child, I was terrified that one of the guards that continuously walked the streets of my hometown with rifles in their hands would kill me or shoot me. If they did, they would say it was justified and nothing would be done. You have no rights whatsoever. Food, clothing and everything a human being needs to live a decent life were rationed. You were allowed 3 pair of underwear a year. If something happened to them, oh well, you can do without. Can't express your opinion if different than government's because you could go to jail ( I saw this happen). I agree, people should be taught the reasons why and not just be told it's evil.

Answer 2

It is hard for the younger generation to understand why they were evil having not grown up during the time it was such a major concern, no matter how much it would be taught to them. I am 23 and I don't recall ever learning Communism was bad. I simply had heard things on my own and made my own judgments. There just simply isn't a class that teaches students opinions and not facts. Yes I think Communism is a bad form of government but that is an opinion and they do not teach opinionated things in school.

Answer 3

Yes that is true, Communism is not bad and evil, in theory it is a good idea but it has never been properly achieved nor have communist countries dealt with it very well with so many of the governments becoming corrupt.

Naturally communism is the enemy of democracy, Growing up in the USA a country which prides itself on freedom and democracy of course all you were going to be told is that communism is evil.

I'm not American nor did I grow up during the cold war but even while I was growing up I assumed that Communism was a bad thing, I must have picked this view up from the media.

I agree if it is evil tell us why!

Answer 4

Ya, but that was propaganda. There's virtually nothing evil in communism at all -- it's Stalinism and totalitarianism that are evil.

I'm a pro-business guy, but if a bunch of hippies in Colorado or Israel or wherever form a collective and live communally with a focus on nature over materialism -- well, not my cup of tea but not evil.

I think the number one thing that has to be taught is to think, research, experience and discuss before believing in something. All kids should learn to use their brains to figure things out. That's what should be taught.

Anytime people being taught that there is a "good" and "evil" to something, they are subjects of propaganda.

Answer 5

Joe McCarthy was defiled and castigated by Hollywood and socialist propaganda. Joe was right, there is an evil at work in America. He went after communists with a fervor not seen in congress before, where he failed was to insure everyone knew that socialism and communism are in fact one and the same.

It is time to set the record straight but how can you do that when the socialist education system in America is deadset against having the truth be known. The system is run by a socialist union, overseen by socialist bureaucrats and is failing daily. Until we eliminate public education as the sole source of knowledge in our country we will not get rid of the socialist indoctrination of our children, we need the free market method of education, let every parent have a choice in where their children learn.

Socialists in America are constantly screaming about freedom of choice, that we must have it in everything we do, except the education of our children, our future. They are smart and stubborn they know they will win and take over our country if the people who are students today become compliant subjects tomorrow. This is an evil that must be stopped.

Answer 6

Where's the need to educate them in the "dangers" of communism?

a) In most of the western world, there was no "education" to the subject for the same reason there are no school lessons about sports teams and stars or trendy music : kids just suck that up from the environment, and the environment in the West had it as a matter of course that commies were bad, and their system was worse even than Nazi Germany.

b) If you're talking about youthful idealism, no education can help about that, only advanced courses in the school of hard knocks can rub it away. So explaining a bright eyed youngster that a system that officially promises equality and comfort for all that it never really worked that way is useless. If you grew up in the 70s, you may have picked up the existence of terrorist movements that made life hell in a number of areas (Red Brigades in Italy, Action Directe in France, the Khmer Rouge in Kampuchea, Red Guards in China, and Sendero Luminoso in the Andes are those I remember off my hat). They all were started by bright eyed idealists who thought that extemely good ideal justified extreme measures to be implemented.

c) And anyway, everybody knows that the communist countries just gave it up and adopted capitalist systems as more beneficial and efficient... and that's a lesson the Gen X'ers who saw it all happen on live television are not likely to forget. As for those too young to have seen it happen, historians are not likely to let them forget that the cold war era ended because one side just dropped out.

Answer 7

I remember only a small amount of education on Communism. Most have learned on my own thru research etc. I'm very late in the baby boomer generation (age in early 40's)

I have a fgn exchange student from Germany. He had the impression that communism wasn't that bad of an idea-- I gave him the scoop on that one. And, in his HS class (yes, here in the states) there was somebody who didn't even know what it was (this is a HS sophmore or junior). When somebody explained, they also thought it was a good idea.

The good idea being that everybody is equal, gets treated equally, gets taken care of etc. etc.

But we all know the truth- Communism doesn't work and it does NOT deliver on much, if any of the what is supposed to be good.

All about the people yet the leaders subjugate the people and treat them like dirt.

People need the opportunity and incentive to do better for themselves. Otherwise they languish. I know a buy who came from Cuba, his joke was -- They pretend to pay us, and we pretend to work.

It is evil becuase:
- All property supposedly belongs to the state-- not individuals
- People's freedom is severly limited
- People have little/no say in how and where to live their lives
- In reality, people in communist countries struggle to live a decent life - consumer goods, food, decent wages, etc.
- The leaders live a rich life but most other live poor lives and little avenue to do better for one's self
- It is a farse-- even in communism, not all people are equal or treated that way
- It doesn't work

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Today's agenda to justify international crimes committed by US governments is "war on terror".

Up to a generation ago, it was "war on communism" !

The biggest failure American mums and dads should worry about, is to educate their children on Sustainability !

Sustainability for all humanity on this planet simply means all people of all countries should seek comfort and peace NOT at the cost of denying other nations, now or at future.

We should raise children to respect life on earth, and understand importance of living in such a pace that we do not harm and pollute our ecosystem today, and for future generations.

Human progress on a macro time-line has only been a snapshot, compared to evolution on earth.

If we manage to teach our children to divert the rat race glorified by US government practise, then future generations may have an opportunity to reach an optimum system of governing through trial and error !

Answer 10

You making a good point but also making huge mistakes saying :''I don't support Kommunism'' .What are you support than.... Kapitalism maybe ...they''ve teach you good at that point...hmmmm
But anyway I'll tell you way they say is bad.

In Kommunism can't get rich cause you have to share with one who have less then you (state takes from you to give to another )
''UTOPIA''

While Kapitalist , if you don't have push you deeper in the ground
The same-one must have more so Kapitalist state allow him to put his feet's on your head saying : Uuuuiiiii that's it
''REALITY''

That's all story, both loves you till you pay taxes soon you stop it
THE CELL IS YOUR END
Have a nice KLU