This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Friday, April 5, 2013
PERIOD 7 - THE SWING KIDS
For the past two days you have been watching "The Swing Kids." What did you learn from the film that you didn't know before and what did you think was the most important message of the film?
47 comments:
Kissila Cruz
said...
There are many things that I learned from just watching the segment on "The Swing Kids." I think the number one thing I have learned from watching this film is the kind of power the Gestapo had among the people, especially those who were part of the HJ's. These People/young men had the power to rat out family members, and friends or worse even kill them if they felt it to be necessary. This horrific act, surprisingly enough, wouldn't even be considered wrong according to the law, because these were the kinds of things expected to be appropriate under the law. That to me is just shocking, and many friendships and families were broken/ruined because of this. War between friendships and families were something expected and considered to be inevitable. I couldn't even imagine living in this kind of terror. I think the main message of the film is to show the way the Gestapo took families apart, and created a war between bonds that could never have been broken. Its main purpose was to show the beginning of the destruction of unity amongst man. For this reason alone, the holocaust should never be forgotten.
After watching "The Swing Kids" , i learned that the Gestapo had immense power over a lot of the people from Germany. I also learned that not everybody in Germany was willing to be apart of the nazi party, i had thought that almost everybody wanted to be but there were rebels amongst the country. I also learned that the hitler youth was very easily influenced by nazi propaganda and even if they were originally anti-nazi, the nazi party eventually influenced them to believe that all jews were bad. It was interesting to know that the hitler youth had as much as power as beating anybody up whenever and whereever they wanted and got away with it. That really surprised me. I support the swing kids because some of them stood up for what they believed in and didn't cave in to joining the nazi party. Overall I learned a lot from watching the Swing Kids.
You'er taught so many thing about WW2 but perhaps one thing that this film has taught me is that not all of Germany was blinded by the propaganda that covered Germany stating what terrible people the rest of the world was. You would think that after your life even the life of a loved is hanging in the line you would go along with the actions of the Nazis. But the swing kids were diffident they were strong and were not about to give up just for the sake of surviving.
I also agree with Kissila and Ellery the movie did a great job of showing the viewers how powerful the Gestapo was and how they were at turning friends and family against each other. How they would remold the individual to reflect them.
I agree with Kissila that it is so shocking that family and friend relationships were destroyed because of the power of the HJ. Its amazing what they were able to get away with back in the 1930's because that would not fly with the law today and most certainly there wouldnt be as many bystanders as there were back then.
I agree with Ellery when she says that the Gestapo was so powerful they could eventually turn everyone into believing that all jews were bad and meant to be murdered. Only few like, Peter could outdo this influential party that the Nazis held.
The main thing I learned from the film is how influential swing music was back in that era. I found it very interesting that swing was has rebellious as rock and roll. I also learned how easily the Hitler Youth could turn people into monsters and how easy it was to lose yourself in the propaganda. I think that the main message to the film is to always be true to yourself and to not forget who you are.
I thought it was so sad that belonging to Hitler Youth could ruin friendships and family relationships. I was also shocked by how the kids who were members were brainwashed. In a way, they were bribed to participate with free family vacations, uniforms, bikes, and a false sense of power. The NAZIS created a fake sense of community and superiority to get these kids to stop thinking for themselves.
I agree with what Laryssa said. This film made me realize that not all of Germany went along with what the NAZIS said. Before watching this movie, I had no idea what the swing movement was or that it was so powerful. And it suprised me that people were sent to work camps just for dancing or listening to a certain type of music. The swing kids were so brave to continue to stand up for what they were passionate about despite how dangerous it was.
From watching "The Swing Kids", I learned how much power the Gestapo and HJ had, being able to do almost anything they please. The Nazis seem to brainwash the younger generation and teach them things that are not true while implying how they should act from then on. I knew they were asked to report anything they heard, but did not know the extent of which they did, for example telling on their own family. By putting those images and thoughts into the HJ's heads, they become bias and forget who they really are. The most important message to me was the idea of power and how it could make people turn on each other and themselves. People can make you do a lot of things, but it takes strength to stick with what you believe in.
The main thing I learned from watching "The Swing Kids" was how much power the Gestapos and the H.J's had over everyone else. Everyone was so scared of then because of how much how they had and that they could really do anything and get away with it. I didn't know that the H.J's had so much power and they really could do anything they want even kill people and get away with it.
I agree with Laryssa that it was kind of surprising to see the Swing Kids stand up for what they thought was right even if that meant risking their own life. It also showed that there were people in Germany who wanted to stand up to the Nazis and they did.
"The Swing Kids" was a profound movie that really taught me a lot about what was really going on in society and in the community when the Nazis were essentially taking over Germany.I cannot imagine living during that time, and having to deal with all the pressure and having to constantly watch your back and what you are saying. It seems exhausting. I feel that your choices were either stand up for what you believe in and get taken in by the Nazis or to join the Nazis and take their side. It is terrifying and unacceptable that a country so advanced as Germany was living and ruling in that manner, and it really makes you stop and think about what us humans consider as our morals. I was a taken back by the brutality that I witnessed, it almost seemed like Thomas was becoming brainwashed into a Nazi. It was shocking. I learned that people will basically do anything to be in power and to gain power, and the selfishness of a person can overtake their conscience.
I agree with was Ellery said about the Swing Kids. The Nazi propaganda was extremely powerful in the youth society, and anything the Nazis were saying was believed in. In most cases, people did not have a choice to dismiss or disagree upon Nazi propaganda, it had to be accepted or you faced death and separation from your family. I too support the swing kids, and I feel that if I was growing up during this time I would stay away from the Nazis and their beliefs, would do my best to stray away from being a bystander especially.
I didn’t know anything about the impact of the Nazi power on the teenagers of Germany, but learning more details about the Hitler Youth and the “Swing Kids” changed that. I was shocked at how easily the Hitler Youth were brainwashed through propaganda, even if they had different principles beforehand. Thomas’s transformation is an exact example of this. I also discovered how unforgiving they were, and by becoming a Nazi, they were able to turn in their neighbors, friends, and even parents. It was very disturbing how the Hitler Youth would do so, and feel that it is the right thing to do.
I think the most important message of the film is to stick to one’s values, because otherwise they would get sucked into the Nazi regime’s mindset. Peter’s ability to stay true to his values was very valuable because it enabled him to see whom he could trust, while Thomas gave into the propaganda and completely changed. In any situation, this lesson can be applied.
It was amazing how the Gestapo had so much power over everyone that they could do whatever they wanted. Break up clubs, arrest people, and even kill people just because they were following orders. It was so powerful that it broke an extremely close friendship between two swing kids that had been recruited. They almost killed each other toward the end of the movie.
I agree with Sarah. I was appalled at how the H.J. would mindlessly beat people, especially Thomas, who would physically beat people but also talk down to them as if they were vermin. Also, I like what you said, “selfishness of a person can overtake their conscience.” I think that’s a really accurate way to sum up how the Nazi regime took over people’s minds.
I agree with Kissila. She brings up a great point that the Gestapo had complete control over everyone. They would tear apart families, friendships, and communities.
I believe the most important message "The Swing Kids" wanted to convey was the ease with which many a people can be consumed by evil--even if they opposed it at first. This is hardly limited to the Nazis, although they form the focal point of the film; friends, family all can suffer from twisted ideals and poisoned minds, and it's important to realize when one finds themselves in such a predicament. It starts from the youth, and by exploiting the innermost desires and weaknesses those who promote evil will rise. We as human beings must be careful.
After watching this film, I realized that not everyone in the H.J wanted to be there, necessarily. And like Kissila, I learned that the Gestapo really had the fear factor over everyone. These kids had it very rough and they were shown no mercy. I was also very surprised at the degree to which the H. J was brainwashed. I would have never thought that Thomas would have turned on his friends and family and this is a very scary thought for all of mankind; are we all as strong in our own opinions as we think we are? The important message of this film, I felt, was that this war tore families and friends apart, but there were people who would not give up fighting for what was right. It was not fair what happened to all these people and this should never be forgotten. we need to learn from the terror that occurred so it will never be able to happen again.
I did not know the involvement that German kids/ teenagers had in helping hitler raise to power and rid Germany of the Jews. Hitler got to the kids while they were young because it was easier to convince them and brain wash them with all their beliefs about Jews being the reason for Germany's terrible economy, causing hardship for the people. I never thought about the kids who didn't join the HJ or even realized that there were kids that weren't part of Hitler's Youth. The "Swing Kids" represent the kids that didn't believe in nazism and eventually started resistance and to fight back. Although their friends might have joined the HJ they still fought against them and tried to convince them otherwise and have them realize that what they were doing was awful and barbaric.
I agree with Jess and was also surprised that Thomas turned on his friends and even his own father after he joined the HJ because Peter had to join it and he said that they were to stick together. I never expected him to turn on his friends and cause one to commit suicide and not even think that he had any responsibility for it and feel sad about his dead friend. Thomas' change from being anti nazism and "heil swing" to "heil hitler" showed how people were brainwashed and repeatedly taught and stressed that Jews are the cause for German hardship.
I agree with Sarah's comment that "the selfishness of a person can overtake their conscience," especially in the less stabilized state of youth; the pervasiveness of Nazi propaganda, combined with the pettiness of people in general, was powerful enough to corrupt even the formerly opposed. I can only wonder if the cycle can be broken when it comes into play today.
By watching swing kids, I learned how easily kids/ people in general could change their views on the world. At first the two swing boys were so against joining the HJ and everything the HJ stood for but once they were forced to join they began to learn the HJs beliefs and began living the HJ way of life even going so far as to turn in their family and friends, beat the ones who onced loved them, and forget about the past in which they used to hold so near and dear to their hearts. This movie shows how when you pretend to be something eventually you will become that something and loose sense of who you really are.
I thought this was a very powerful movie. It does an amazing job at showing every side of the story of the time. You meet characters that conform and obey the Nazis immediately, teenagers who don't know what to do, and then you have a character who is someone that is highly discriminated against. It amazed me how the interactions and friendships changed during the process and that kids would go against someone that they cared about so much. Although the ending was not ideal, i was very happy with it because it showed that peter and his little brother were never going to give up.
I agree with MArgo. I had no clue that teenagers at the time had such a big impact on helping the Nazis take power. Some kids joined because they had to and some because they wanted to. Either way some of them actually started to completely change their character and believe that what they were doing was the right thing to do because even though they were hurting people, at least they were benefitting from the purls of being an HJ.
Watching this film I have learned a lot that I did not already know. I was unaware of how mainstream it was in Germany at this time to belong to the Gestapo. The most important thing I got from watching this film is how powerful the Gestapo really is. Anything he said, went. I cant believe how many people listen to his words and obey him and don't have a problem spying on friends and family.
I agree with Greg's post about the music. It's very interesting to me how that music is rebellious and has such meaning to the Swing Kids. The dance clubs look very fun.
One of the hardest things for me to watch during this film was Thomas turning in his father. I understand that sometimes you may not get along with your parents but he ordered the death of his family. On top of that. He turned against his friend, who in turn committed suicide and then he also beat up Peter. It troubled me that seone was easily able to do this. I was also upset by the classes that the HJ were given about how Jewish people are bad. I'm very glad that Peter was able to realize the bad. I think it was cruel that the Nazis sent the families the ashes. It was bad enough that they were killing people, but to add to the pain, they would sent them the ashes of the dead body. When the Gastapo was talking to Peter about his work with the bookseller it really stuck with me what he said. He said that he might wanna find out what he is working for before he does it. I found this ironic because the bookseller was trying to help families while the HJ and Gastapo were killing them vengefully.
I agree with Kissila and Michayla. The terror in the Nazi regime was unprecedented and very tragic and I agree the Holocaust should never be forgotten. I think we have a duty as members of this class to share out knowledge with others so they, too, can begin to understand what has happened.
I learned from "The Swing Kids" that standing up against the Nazi party was nearly impossible later in the war due to the fact that so many people were joining and that there were many to start off.
I agree with Ellery whens shes says in short, that propaganda got to most people. And for even the most bizaar reasons one in Germany during WWII could hate the jews.
I agree with Ellery whens shes says in short, that propaganda got to most people. And for even the most bizaar reasons one in Germany during WWII could hate the jews.
“The Swing Kids”, was a very interesting film that taught me about some of the things the Gestapo were able get away without being punished. Some of the things include invading homes, dance clubs, stores, beating random kids that were not HJ’s, and arresting random people that even looked Jewish. The Gestapo had the power to do this all over Germany. This was how the swing kids were broken apart in the film. It was sad to see that kids back then could not express themselves like they do today. If they were to express themselves, then they were to be punished because they are trying to be “different”. I just can’t imagine what living was like in Germany back then and I know that I would not have survived.
I agree with Elise in that the film described another side of the story. I honestly have never heard of the Swing Kids. This is why I was so interested in the film. It was another point of view that felt more realistic than any of the other films that I have watched about World War II before. It gave me a better idea of what the Gestapo could get away with without any punishment.
The swing kids was honestly one of the best movies i've seen in a while. Showing how quickly people's family and friendships can be torn apart just because of a patch you wear on your arm that says a kid is part of the HJ...the film did an amazing job portraying a story that got the viewers to really understand what this whole situation was like for the people back then
I agree with Laryssa. This film was great with showing that the swing kids never gave up/stood for what they believe in, even if it wasn't the "right" thing to do anymore. It shows a lot that you might have had questions about that are now answered.
I agree with everyone and the idea that the Gestapo had an overwhelming amount of power over the people of Germany. I personally found parts of the movie to be almost chilling as I couldn't even relate to what living in a situation like that would be. Its scary to see how easily these people were taken over and inevitably brain washed.
What surprised me in the film was how open the resistance to the Nazis was. The Swing clubs operate in large commercial facilities easily accessible by the Gestapo/HJ, its members walk down public streets in Swing outfits, purchase Swing records openly in shops, etc. This indicates to me that - much like the Italian Social Democrat's reliance on the King and the German Social Democrat's reliance on the reactionary police to stop the Nazis - the Swing kids still harbor illusions that the Nazis will not violate certain social norms or resort to total repression.
The most important lesson of the film to me was the speech made in the music club when Luftwaffe pilots wanted a fascist song played - that all of the people who sat by silently and did nothing were culpable by their silence.
I found it extremely shocking that the Nazi party was able to actually brain wash people. For instance Thomas, before he was completely against anything that had to do with the Nazi’s but after joining the Hitler Youth his mind was corrupted.
I was definatly suprised at how easily friends and family were turned against each other. In those times if you didn't like someone you could easily have them killed giving them immense power. I was also suprised at the scene where the main character realizes he's carrying around ashes. I don't if that part is true but if it is it is very disturbing.
After watching "The Swing Kids", I learned that the Gestapo had so much control and power over everyone else in Germany. They could do basically whatever they wanted, even get away with murder and be rewarded for it rather than punished. Also, once people joined the HJ, it was very hard to not become influenced by the fascist mindsets at the time. This was clear when the movie focused on the conflict and relationship between Peter and Thomas, because Thomas was changing so much and it hurt their friendship. I think the message of this film was that it takes a lot from a person to stand up for what they believe in against society and what everyone else thinks.
I agree with Kelsey and that the HJ was able to put so many biased and prejudiced ideas into people's heads that eventually they would believe them. This contributed to the fact that people did things just because they could and they would get not be punished for it. Some kids reported their parents just because they could, which shows how influenced they were by the Nazis and the society at the time.
I agree with Kelsey and that the HJ was able to put so many biased and prejudiced ideas into people's heads that eventually they would believe them. This contributed to the fact that people did things just because they could and they would get not be punished for it. Some kids reported their parents just because they could, which shows how influenced they were by the Nazis and the society at the time.
I agree with the majority by saying that they were surprised at how easily the Nazis were able to turn on their family. I have never been in a situation like that, but I personally would never be able to turn my family or friends in regardless of the situation. Also I didn't realize how brutal the Gestapo was and violent they could actually be. This movie taught me a lot about the Nazis.
The movie The Swings, I have learned about the Gestapo and the immense power over a lot of people from Germany. I also learned that the Nazis started to take power and that some of the kids had to join the Nazis party. They also had to spy on their parents. The holocaust should never be forgotten
47 comments:
There are many things that I learned from just watching the segment on "The Swing Kids." I think the number one thing I have learned from watching this film is the kind of power the Gestapo had among the people, especially those who were part of the HJ's. These People/young men had the power to rat out family members, and friends or worse even kill them if they felt it to be necessary. This horrific act, surprisingly enough, wouldn't even be considered wrong according to the law, because these were the kinds of things expected to be appropriate under the law. That to me is just shocking, and many friendships and families were broken/ruined because of this. War between friendships and families were something expected and considered to be inevitable. I couldn't even imagine living in this kind of terror. I think the main message of the film is to show the way the Gestapo took families apart, and created a war between bonds that could never have been broken. Its main purpose was to show the beginning of the destruction of unity amongst man. For this reason alone, the holocaust should never be forgotten.
After watching "The Swing Kids" , i learned that the Gestapo had immense power over a lot of the people from Germany. I also learned that not everybody in Germany was willing to be apart of the nazi party, i had thought that almost everybody wanted to be but there were rebels amongst the country. I also learned that the hitler youth was very easily influenced by nazi propaganda and even if they were originally anti-nazi, the nazi party eventually influenced them to believe that all jews were bad. It was interesting to know that the hitler youth had as much as power as beating anybody up whenever and whereever they wanted and got away with it. That really surprised me. I support the swing kids because some of them stood up for what they believed in and didn't cave in to joining the nazi party. Overall I learned a lot from watching the Swing Kids.
You'er taught so many thing about WW2 but perhaps one thing that this film has taught me is that not all of Germany was blinded by the propaganda that covered Germany stating what terrible people the rest of the world was. You would think that after your life even the life of a loved is hanging in the line you would go along with the actions of the Nazis. But the swing kids were diffident they were strong and were not about to give up just for the sake of surviving.
I also agree with Kissila and Ellery the movie did a great job of showing the viewers how powerful the Gestapo was and how they were at turning friends and family against each other. How they would remold the individual to reflect them.
I agree with Kissila that it is so shocking that family and friend relationships were destroyed because of the power of the HJ. Its amazing what they were able to get away with back in the 1930's because that would not fly with the law today and most certainly there wouldnt be as many bystanders as there were back then.
I agree with Ellery when she says that the Gestapo was so powerful they could eventually turn everyone into believing that all jews were bad and meant to be murdered. Only few like, Peter could outdo this influential party that the Nazis held.
The main thing I learned from the film is how influential swing music was back in that era. I found it very interesting that swing was has rebellious as rock and roll. I also learned how easily the Hitler Youth could turn people into monsters and how easy it was to lose yourself in the propaganda. I think that the main message to the film is to always be true to yourself and to not forget who you are.
I agree with Kissila, I also was surprised to learn how much power the Gestapo had over the rest of the people.
I thought it was so sad that belonging to Hitler Youth could ruin friendships and family relationships. I was also shocked by how the kids who were members were brainwashed. In a way, they were bribed to participate with free family vacations, uniforms, bikes, and a false sense of power. The NAZIS created a fake sense of community and superiority to get these kids to stop thinking for themselves.
I agree with what Laryssa said. This film made me realize that not all of Germany went along with what the NAZIS said. Before watching this movie, I had no idea what the swing movement was or that it was so powerful. And it suprised me that people were sent to work camps just for dancing or listening to a certain type of music. The swing kids were so brave to continue to stand up for what they were passionate about despite how dangerous it was.
From watching "The Swing Kids", I learned how much power the Gestapo and HJ had, being able to do almost anything they please. The Nazis seem to brainwash the younger generation and teach them things that are not true while implying how they should act from then on. I knew they were asked to report anything they heard, but did not know the extent of which they did, for example telling on their own family. By putting those images and thoughts into the HJ's heads, they become bias and forget who they really are. The most important message to me was the idea of power and how it could make people turn on each other and themselves. People can make you do a lot of things, but it takes strength to stick with what you believe in.
The main thing I learned from watching "The Swing Kids" was how much power the Gestapos and the H.J's had over everyone else. Everyone was so scared of then because of how much how they had and that they could really do anything and get away with it. I didn't know that the H.J's had so much power and they really could do anything they want even kill people and get away with it.
I agree with Laryssa that it was kind of surprising to see the Swing Kids stand up for what they thought was right even if that meant risking their own life. It also showed that there were people in Germany who wanted to stand up to the Nazis and they did.
"The Swing Kids" was a profound movie that really taught me a lot about what was really going on in society and in the community when the Nazis were essentially taking over Germany.I cannot imagine living during that time, and having to deal with all the pressure and having to constantly watch your back and what you are saying. It seems exhausting. I feel that your choices were either stand up for what you believe in and get taken in by the Nazis or to join the Nazis and take their side. It is terrifying and unacceptable that a country so advanced as Germany was living and ruling in that manner, and it really makes you stop and think about what us humans consider as our morals. I was a taken back by the brutality that I witnessed, it almost seemed like Thomas was becoming brainwashed into a Nazi. It was shocking. I learned that people will basically do anything to be in power and to gain power, and the selfishness of a person can overtake their conscience.
I agree with was Ellery said about the Swing Kids. The Nazi propaganda was extremely powerful in the youth society, and anything the Nazis were saying was believed in. In most cases, people did not have a choice to dismiss or disagree upon Nazi propaganda, it had to be accepted or you faced death and separation from your family. I too support the swing kids, and I feel that if I was growing up during this time I would stay away from the Nazis and their beliefs, would do my best to stray away from being a bystander especially.
I didn’t know anything about the impact of the Nazi power on the teenagers of Germany, but learning more details about the Hitler Youth and the “Swing Kids” changed that. I was shocked at how easily the Hitler Youth were brainwashed through propaganda, even if they had different principles beforehand. Thomas’s transformation is an exact example of this. I also discovered how unforgiving they were, and by becoming a Nazi, they were able to turn in their neighbors, friends, and even parents. It was very disturbing how the Hitler Youth would do so, and feel that it is the right thing to do.
I think the most important message of the film is to stick to one’s values, because otherwise they would get sucked into the Nazi regime’s mindset. Peter’s ability to stay true to his values was very valuable because it enabled him to see whom he could trust, while Thomas gave into the propaganda and completely changed. In any situation, this lesson can be applied.
It was amazing how the Gestapo had so much power over everyone that they could do whatever they wanted. Break up clubs, arrest people, and even kill people just because they were following orders. It was so powerful that it broke an extremely close friendship between two swing kids that had been recruited. They almost killed each other toward the end of the movie.
I agree with Sarah. I was appalled at how the H.J. would mindlessly beat people, especially Thomas, who would physically beat people but also talk down to them as if they were vermin. Also, I like what you said, “selfishness of a person can overtake their conscience.” I think that’s a really accurate way to sum up how the Nazi regime took over people’s minds.
I agree with Kissila. She brings up a great point that the Gestapo had complete control over everyone. They would tear apart families, friendships, and communities.
I believe the most important message "The Swing Kids" wanted to convey was the ease with which many a people can be consumed by evil--even if they opposed it at first. This is hardly limited to the Nazis, although they form the focal point of the film; friends, family all can suffer from twisted ideals and poisoned minds, and it's important to realize when one finds themselves in such a predicament. It starts from the youth, and by exploiting the innermost desires and weaknesses those who promote evil will rise. We as human beings must be careful.
After watching this film, I realized that not everyone in the H.J wanted to be there, necessarily. And like Kissila, I learned that the Gestapo really had the fear factor over everyone. These kids had it very rough and they were shown no mercy. I was also very surprised at the degree to which the H. J was brainwashed. I would have never thought that Thomas would have turned on his friends and family and this is a very scary thought for all of mankind; are we all as strong in our own opinions as we think we are? The important message of this film, I felt, was that this war tore families and friends apart, but there were people who would not give up fighting for what was right. It was not fair what happened to all these people and this should never be forgotten. we need to learn from the terror that occurred so it will never be able to happen again.
I did not know the involvement that German kids/ teenagers had in helping hitler raise to power and rid Germany of the Jews. Hitler got to the kids while they were young because it was easier to convince them and brain wash them with all their beliefs about Jews being the reason for Germany's terrible economy, causing hardship for the people. I never thought about the kids who didn't join the HJ or even realized that there were kids that weren't part of Hitler's Youth. The "Swing Kids" represent the kids that didn't believe in nazism and eventually started resistance and to fight back. Although their friends might have joined the HJ they still fought against them and tried to convince them otherwise and have them realize that what they were doing was awful and barbaric.
I agree with Jess and was also surprised that Thomas turned on his friends and even his own father after he joined the HJ because Peter had to join it and he said that they were to stick together. I never expected him to turn on his friends and cause one to commit suicide and not even think that he had any responsibility for it and feel sad about his dead friend. Thomas' change from being anti nazism and "heil swing" to "heil hitler" showed how people were brainwashed and repeatedly taught and stressed that Jews are the cause for German hardship.
I agree with Sarah's comment that "the selfishness of a person can overtake their conscience," especially in the less stabilized state of youth; the pervasiveness of Nazi propaganda, combined with the pettiness of people in general, was powerful enough to corrupt even the formerly opposed. I can only wonder if the cycle can be broken when it comes into play today.
By watching swing kids, I learned how easily kids/ people in general could change their views on the world. At first the two swing boys were so against joining the HJ and everything the HJ stood for but once they were forced to join they began to learn the HJs beliefs and began living the HJ way of life even going so far as to turn in their family and friends, beat the ones who onced loved them, and forget about the past in which they used to hold so near and dear to their hearts. This movie shows how when you pretend to be something eventually you will become that something and loose sense of who you really are.
I thought this was a very powerful movie. It does an amazing job at showing every side of the story of the time. You meet characters that conform and obey the Nazis immediately, teenagers who don't know what to do, and then you have a character who is someone that is highly discriminated against. It amazed me how the interactions and friendships changed during the process and that kids would go against someone that they cared about so much. Although the ending was not ideal, i was very happy with it because it showed that peter and his little brother were never going to give up.
I agree with MArgo. I had no clue that teenagers at the time had such a big impact on helping the Nazis take power. Some kids joined because they had to and some because they wanted to. Either way some of them actually started to completely change their character and believe that what they were doing was the right thing to do because even though they were hurting people, at least they were benefitting from the purls of being an HJ.
Watching this film I have learned a lot that I did not already know. I was unaware of how mainstream it was in Germany at this time to belong to the Gestapo. The most important thing I got from watching this film is how powerful the Gestapo really is. Anything he said, went. I cant believe how many people listen to his words and obey him and don't have a problem spying on friends and family.
I agree with Greg's post about the music. It's very interesting to me how that music is rebellious and has such meaning to the Swing Kids. The dance clubs look very fun.
One of the hardest things for me to watch during this film was Thomas turning in his father. I understand that sometimes you may not get along with your parents but he ordered the death of his family. On top of that. He turned against his friend, who in turn committed suicide and then he also beat up Peter. It troubled me that seone was easily able to do this. I was also upset by the classes that the HJ were given about how Jewish people are bad. I'm very glad that Peter was able to realize the bad. I think it was cruel that the Nazis sent the families the ashes. It was bad enough that they were killing people, but to add to the pain, they would sent them the ashes of the dead body. When the Gastapo was talking to Peter about his work with the bookseller it really stuck with me what he said. He said that he might wanna find out what he is working for before he does it. I found this ironic because the bookseller was trying to help families while the HJ and Gastapo were killing them vengefully.
I agree with Kissila and Michayla. The terror in the Nazi regime was unprecedented and very tragic and I agree the Holocaust should never be forgotten. I think we have a duty as members of this class to share out knowledge with others so they, too, can begin to understand what has happened.
I learned from "The Swing Kids" that standing up against the Nazi party was nearly impossible later in the war due to the fact that so many people were joining and that there were many to start off.
I agree with Ellery whens shes says in short, that propaganda got to most people. And for even the most bizaar reasons one in Germany during WWII could hate the jews.
I agree with Ellery whens shes says in short, that propaganda got to most people. And for even the most bizaar reasons one in Germany during WWII could hate the jews.
“The Swing Kids”, was a very interesting film that taught me about some of the things the Gestapo were able get away without being punished. Some of the things include invading homes, dance clubs, stores, beating random kids that were not HJ’s, and arresting random people that even looked Jewish. The Gestapo had the power to do this all over Germany. This was how the swing kids were broken apart in the film. It was sad to see that kids back then could not express themselves like they do today. If they were to express themselves, then they were to be punished because they are trying to be “different”. I just can’t imagine what living was like in Germany back then and I know that I would not have survived.
I agree with Elise in that the film described another side of the story. I honestly have never heard of the Swing Kids. This is why I was so interested in the film. It was another point of view that felt more realistic than any of the other films that I have watched about World War II before. It gave me a better idea of what the Gestapo could get away with without any punishment.
The swing kids was honestly one of the best movies i've seen in a while. Showing how quickly people's family and friendships can be torn apart just because of a patch you wear on your arm that says a kid is part of the HJ...the film did an amazing job portraying a story that got the viewers to really understand what this whole situation was like for the people back then
I agree with Laryssa. This film was great with showing that the swing kids never gave up/stood for what they believe in, even if it wasn't the "right" thing to do anymore. It shows a lot that you might have had questions about that are now answered.
I agree with everyone and the idea that the Gestapo had an overwhelming amount of power over the people of Germany. I personally found parts of the movie to be almost chilling as I couldn't even relate to what living in a situation like that would be. Its scary to see how easily these people were taken over and inevitably brain washed.
What surprised me in the film was how open the resistance to the Nazis was. The Swing clubs operate in large commercial facilities easily accessible by the Gestapo/HJ, its members walk down public streets in Swing outfits, purchase Swing records openly in shops, etc. This indicates to me that - much like the Italian Social Democrat's reliance on the King and the German Social Democrat's reliance on the reactionary police to stop the Nazis - the Swing kids still harbor illusions that the Nazis will not violate certain social norms or resort to total repression.
The most important lesson of the film to me was the speech made in the music club when Luftwaffe pilots wanted a fascist song played - that all of the people who sat by silently and did nothing were culpable by their silence.
I found it extremely shocking that the Nazi party was able to actually brain wash people. For instance Thomas, before he was completely against anything that had to do with the Nazi’s but after joining the Hitler Youth his mind was corrupted.
Like many other people I too found it chilling that the Gestapo had an overwhelming amount of power over the people of Germany.
I was definatly suprised at how easily friends and family were turned against each other. In those times if you didn't like someone you could easily have them killed giving them immense power. I was also suprised at the scene where the main character realizes he's carrying around ashes. I don't if that part is true but if it is it is very disturbing.
After watching "The Swing Kids", I learned that the Gestapo had so much control and power over everyone else in Germany. They could do basically whatever they wanted, even get away with murder and be rewarded for it rather than punished. Also, once people joined the HJ, it was very hard to not become influenced by the fascist mindsets at the time. This was clear when the movie focused on the conflict and relationship between Peter and Thomas, because Thomas was changing so much and it hurt their friendship. I think the message of this film was that it takes a lot from a person to stand up for what they believe in against society and what everyone else thinks.
I agree with Kelsey and that the HJ was able to put so many biased and prejudiced ideas into people's heads that eventually they would believe them. This contributed to the fact that people did things just because they could and they would get not be punished for it. Some kids reported their parents just because they could, which shows how influenced they were by the Nazis and the society at the time.
I agree with Kelsey and that the HJ was able to put so many biased and prejudiced ideas into people's heads that eventually they would believe them. This contributed to the fact that people did things just because they could and they would get not be punished for it. Some kids reported their parents just because they could, which shows how influenced they were by the Nazis and the society at the time.
I agree with the majority by saying that they were surprised at how easily the Nazis were able to turn on their family. I have never been in a situation like that, but I personally would never be able to turn my family or friends in regardless of the situation. Also I didn't realize how brutal the Gestapo was and violent they could actually be. This movie taught me a lot about the Nazis.
The movie The Swings, I have learned about the Gestapo and the immense power over a lot of people from Germany. I also learned that the Nazis started to take power and that some of the kids had to join the Nazis party. They also had to spy on their parents. The holocaust should never be forgotten
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