This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
PERIOD 2: THE SWING KIDS
For several 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?
24 comments:
Leslie Donovan
said...
In the film “Swing Boys”, the Nazis were viewed as the perfect “ideal” German citizen. The swing boys in the movie stood up for what they wanted even though they knew it was wrong. Even when they were placed under the supervision and control of the Nazis they did what they wanted at night. This film shows how sacrificing yourself to the Nazis really brainwashes you into what they want you to be, evening betraying your own family.
When I was watching the movie, "Swing Kids", I found myself contemplating about what I would have done if I was in Germany. It's so hard to decide between living in a world with so much going wrong where you fit in or choosing to stand up to the wrong doings in society to regain your identity but lose your belonging to a group and possibly your life. I like to think that I would have stood up for what's right but that takes some major stones when your standing up to a group as intimidating as the nazis. However, it became clear to me when I was watching the film that when you stand up to what's wrong, you can gain followers and that's what starts a movement. Movements are how things change when enough people become a part of that movement. This movie was very moving and really made me think about who I am.
watching a movie this mean kids taught me that determination is not only for adults but it can also live in children. the movie taught me that the termination is key to succeeding in any movement. I was inspired by the swing kids, I feel like I can make a difference now and nothing will stop me. the movie was sad but it also taught me a good lesson never never conform to what you don't believe in freedom is what you will fight for and died for the next generation to live free. maybe one day I would sacrifice my own freedom to let's next generation have more freedom than i had.
While watching the movie "The Swing Kids" it really made me, would I have joined the Nazi, or would I have not? I'd like to think that I would have not joined and stood up for what I believed in, but I can't say. All in all what I learned from watching this film is stand up for what you believe in. Letting others dictate who you are is not living at all. You should be in charge of your own destiny, of who you are.
I enjoyed watching the "Swing Kids" more than anything we watched this year. I thought it did a wonderful job of displaying the harsh conditions of Germany in the 1930's, as well as showing what the swing movement was. First off I learned what the swing kids were, and how they contributed to destroying the Nazis. Additionally, I now understand the influence that the Hitler Youth had in Germany, and the process of joining the HJ. I thought the message of the film was that being a bystander is just as bad as being the one commiting the crime. Peter decided that he could no longer watch the the Nazis murder innocent people, so he revolted and very likely lost his life because of his decision. Although, he could have lost his life, he made a heroic choice that all Germans should have followed.
"Swing Kids" was a very interesting movie, I was suprised to learn that the Nazis banned certain composers and types of music. It was cool how the kids enjoyed the music so much that they were willing to risk being arrested and sent to work camps, just to listen and dance to the music. I think the most important message of the film was to do what you love no matter what.
In the film "swing kids" i learnered that kids in the hitler youth turned kids into telling the nazi's about their own parents. Also that the hitler youth would make people turn on their friends and family. Also that the hitler youth would have the kids diliver the ashes to family's. The film showed the hardship that people went through in germany if they dicided not to join a certain group.
While watching "Swing Kids" I learned many things I had not known about that time period. I never had heard of a group called swing kids or of any group like them, where they could become a nazi but did not want to. I also learned that the hitler youth spread so much propaganda to young adults that their race was superior and how horrible jewish people were. Seeing Peter and Thomas have confrontation do to the the Nazi's propaganda being taken in by Thomas, was unbelievable. I think the most important thing I took from this film was all from Peter's character. He could have lived life easier if he just obeyed the Nazi orders and took in their ideas, but he stayed true to his beliefs and stood up against them. He was so brave to maintain his identity against the large group that ruled. You can not just be a bystander and watch horrible things happen right in front of you, stand up for what you truly believe in.
I thought that the movie was very interesting. It amazed me how the propaganda influenced so many of hitlers youth. He was able to turn two best friends on eachother. Peter stayed true to his morals and ended up being a swing kid which I thought meant a lot to his friend Thomas. I enjoyed watching this movie in class.
I learned a lot from this film. It really showed how easy it was for the nazis to use propaganda and speeches to influence people's thoughts. Before the film I didn't understand how people could alter their viewpoints so radically from being an accepting human being to a nazi, but the movie explained that. I feel like the most important message of the movie is to stand up for what you believe in. Even though it might've been scary for peter he still did what he knew was right. His actions didn't stop the nazis, but if everyone had gone by their morals and not followed along with Hitler, than the holocaust could've been prevented.
I really enjoyed the film, "Swing Kids". I thought that it was extremely intriguing and the most interesting part to me was seeing what the times in Nazi Germany were like. Most of the time when the Nazi Regime is remembered, most people think of the war and the death camps that Nazis soon set up. It was extremely interesting seeing the 6 years prior to the war where the German people were bombarded with Nazi propaganda. It seemed more possible that these vulnerable people could be turned so easily by a crazy man. It was disturbing to watch the mother and best friend of Peter being turned by the Nazis. This movie was very sobering and I learned a lot from what the movie had to show.
I read Sam's comment and I think he summarized the theme of this film perfectly: "Being a bystander is just as bad as being the one commiting the crime. " In my opinion, Peter was a hero because he sacrificed his own life to push for a movement that would save the lives of so many victims. His selfless actions changed the opinion of his brother and his best friend; two more people to oppose the Nazi's. The problem with the World Wars was that MOST people were not like Peter. They were either completely brainwashed or too selfish to risk their lives for the benefit of others. If everyone was like Peter, War would not exist.
While watching the movie I had no clue that the swing kids existed. Throughout the whole movie I wondered what I would have done if I was put in those conditions too. The swing kids were very brave for sticking to what they truly enjoy even though they knew the consequences that would be given. If more people were like the swing kids then maybe the Nazi's would have been stopped. It was so shocking how easily some of them just changed to being a Nazi and following their beliefs in a matter of a few days.
While watching the movie I had no clue that the swing kids existed. Throughout the whole movie I wondered what I would have done if I was put in those conditions too. The swing kids were very brave for sticking to what they truly enjoy even though they knew the consequences that would be given. If more people were like the swing kids then maybe the Nazi's would have been stopped. It was so shocking how easily some of them just changed to being a Nazi and following their beliefs in a matter of a few days.
When watching the movie the "Swing Kids" I learned more about how much the citizens of Germany looked up to their government. As much as some families had been suffering from the ruling of Hitler they still obeyed his laws and regulations. I felt that the most important message when viewing the film was that you should never do something if you don't feel right about it. The film made it clear how society shouldn't go with the majority rule. Everyone should have a say in something and shouldn't be left out just because their vote is less than the others. Throughout the film you saw how much ONE person could affect a whole country. So many lives had been lost because of that ONE person and no one took it into their own hands. I feel everyone should view this film just to know and understand how much your opinion can change how society is run. I enjoyed this film very much because I was able to reflect what I would have done.
Through watching the swing kids I learned a lot about how propoganda and peer pressure can effect the masses. Thomas in the beginning of the movie was completely against the HJ and by the end of the movie he was fighting his best friend in support of them. When you are being told that something is right by everyone around you sometimes your views begin to fog.
"Swing Kids" was truly an inspirational movie for standing up for what you believe in. Unfortunately, the reality is, that it was very hard for a German boy not to join the Hitler Youth and become part of an ideal society and fit in. Although, I do not condone any actions of the Nazis, and what the Swing Kids did was influential in the way they started a movement and would not let group rule phase their beliefs and what they love to do. I believe it is important to have an identity and that everyone wants to fit in a specific society, as long as it is for the right intentions. This movie really motivated me to stand up for what i believe in regardless of peer pressure and most importantly also to not be a bystander.
"Swing Kids" was probably my favorite movie that we have watched this year. I found myself really relating to it because the main characters were kids our age. It really showed that the Nazi's didn't just effect Jews and other adults, but it effected all of Germany. I also never realized how the Nazi's were just as concerned with finding Jews and sending them away as they were with finding Germans who were possibly against what Nazi's stood for. I thought the movies ending was very sad yet powerful. I think it gave the message that everyone should stand up for what they believe in if they want to see any sort of difference.
From this film I learned that even musical differences were persecuted under Nazi law. I feel that this is such a gross intrusion on the growth of a country since all revolution begins with art. I really enjoyed this film. It really gave me perspective into the brainwashing of the Nazi's. Those were all just normal kids until these ideas were presented to them without opposition.
While watching this film in class, it was easy to see how these innocent children were convinced to report friends, innocent people, and even family to the Nazi regime. Something I did not know before watching this film was how HJ's could stop anyone in the street and beat them, for no real reason. I believe that the underlying message of this film is about the importance of standing up for something you believe in, even if you stand alone.
I learned a lot from the film, "Swing Kids". I never knew there were a group of swing kids during that time period who were tormented by the HJ. I couldn't imagine living as a jew in this time period. They would treat people with such disrespect that it made me furious while watching the movie. I couldn't believe when they delivered the ashes to a family. That was one of the most horrifying things that someone could do to bring a family misery. Overall, this film brought me to realize even more how tough life was during these times.
After watching “Swing Kids”, I had a better understanding of how the Nazi’s viewed the youth. I found it interesting that they created schools of not only ideology, but combat and tactics as well. The Nazi use of the children to spy on their parents without either of them knowing; shows how far they were willing to go to find information. They wished to eradicate people who disagreed and opposed the German/Nazi beliefs. This was probably my favorite movie so far as it was not only educational but also action filled and entertaining.
When i was watching swing kids i learned the utter control over day to day life that the nazis had even over children. I didnt realize that children formed any sort of resistance group. As it shows at the end of the movie for starting a resistence the older brother gets taken away. It was also interesting to see people turn their own fathers in, threaten their best friends and insult their other best friend to the point were he kills himself. the power that the nazis had over their own people.
I only saw a limited amount at the start of the film, but I was fascinated by the idea that there were other people living and breathing in Germany during the Nazi's reign. So often WWII Germany is just portrayed as a faceless mass, following Hitlers every will, and that is what quite a few people were doing, but there were plenty out there that did not feel the same way Hitler did, and would rather have just lived their own lives.
24 comments:
In the film “Swing Boys”, the Nazis were viewed as the perfect “ideal” German citizen. The swing boys in the movie stood up for what they wanted even though they knew it was wrong. Even when they were placed under the supervision and control of the Nazis they did what they wanted at night. This film shows how sacrificing yourself to the Nazis really brainwashes you into what they want you to be, evening betraying your own family.
When I was watching the movie, "Swing Kids", I found myself contemplating about what I would have done if I was in Germany. It's so hard to decide between living in a world with so much going wrong where you fit in or choosing to stand up to the wrong doings in society to regain your identity but lose your belonging to a group and possibly your life. I like to think that I would have stood up for what's right but that takes some major stones when your standing up to a group as intimidating as the nazis. However, it became clear to me when I was watching the film that when you stand up to what's wrong, you can gain followers and that's what starts a movement. Movements are how things change when enough people become a part of that movement. This movie was very moving and really made me think about who I am.
watching a movie this mean kids taught me that determination is not only for adults but it can also live in children. the movie taught me that the termination is key to succeeding in any movement. I was inspired by the swing kids, I feel like I can make a difference now and nothing will stop me. the movie was sad but it also taught me a good lesson never never conform to what you don't believe in freedom is what you will fight for and died for the next generation to live free. maybe one day I would sacrifice my own freedom to let's next generation have more freedom than i had.
While watching the movie "The Swing Kids" it really made me, would I have joined the Nazi, or would I have not? I'd like to think that I would have not joined and stood up for what I believed in, but I can't say. All in all what I learned from watching this film is stand up for what you believe in. Letting others dictate who you are is not living at all. You should be in charge of your own destiny, of who you are.
I enjoyed watching the "Swing Kids" more than anything we watched this year. I thought it did a wonderful job of displaying the harsh conditions of Germany in the 1930's, as well as showing what the swing movement was. First off I learned what the swing kids were, and how they contributed to destroying the Nazis. Additionally, I now understand the influence that the Hitler Youth had in Germany, and the process of joining the HJ. I thought the message of the film was that being a bystander is just as bad as being the one commiting the crime. Peter decided that he could no longer watch the the Nazis murder innocent people, so he revolted and very likely lost his life because of his decision. Although, he could have lost his life, he made a heroic choice that all Germans should have followed.
"Swing Kids" was a very interesting movie, I was suprised to learn that the Nazis banned certain composers and types of music. It was cool how the kids enjoyed the music so much that they were willing to risk being arrested and sent to work camps, just to listen and dance to the music. I think the most important message of the film was to do what you love no matter what.
In the film "swing kids" i learnered that kids in the hitler youth turned kids into telling the nazi's about their own parents. Also that the hitler youth would make people turn on their friends and family. Also that the hitler youth would have the kids diliver the ashes to family's. The film showed the hardship that people went through in germany if they dicided not to join a certain group.
While watching "Swing Kids" I learned many things I had not known about that time period. I never had heard of a group called swing kids or of any group like them, where they could become a nazi but did not want to. I also learned that the hitler youth spread so much propaganda to young adults that their race was superior and how horrible jewish people were. Seeing Peter and Thomas have confrontation do to the the Nazi's propaganda being taken in by Thomas, was unbelievable. I think the most important thing I took from this film was all from Peter's character. He could have lived life easier if he just obeyed the Nazi orders and took in their ideas, but he stayed true to his beliefs and stood up against them. He was so brave to maintain his identity against the large group that ruled. You can not just be a bystander and watch horrible things happen right in front of you, stand up for what you truly believe in.
I thought that the movie was very interesting. It amazed me how the propaganda influenced so many of hitlers youth. He was able to turn two best friends on eachother. Peter stayed true to his morals and ended up being a swing kid which I thought meant a lot to his friend Thomas. I enjoyed watching this movie in class.
I learned a lot from this film. It really showed how easy it was for the nazis to use propaganda and speeches to influence people's thoughts. Before the film I didn't understand how people could alter their viewpoints so radically from being an accepting human being to a nazi, but the movie explained that. I feel like the most important message of the movie is to stand up for what you believe in. Even though it might've been scary for peter he still did what he knew was right. His actions didn't stop the nazis, but if everyone had gone by their morals and not followed along with Hitler, than the holocaust could've been prevented.
I really enjoyed the film, "Swing Kids". I thought that it was extremely intriguing and the most interesting part to me was seeing what the times in Nazi Germany were like. Most of the time when the Nazi Regime is remembered, most people think of the war and the death camps that Nazis soon set up. It was extremely interesting seeing the 6 years prior to the war where the German people were bombarded with Nazi propaganda. It seemed more possible that these vulnerable people could be turned so easily by a crazy man. It was disturbing to watch the mother and best friend of Peter being turned by the Nazis. This movie was very sobering and I learned a lot from what the movie had to show.
I read Sam's comment and I think he summarized the theme of this film perfectly: "Being a bystander is just as bad as being the one commiting the crime. " In my opinion, Peter was a hero because he sacrificed his own life to push for a movement that would save the lives of so many victims. His selfless actions changed the opinion of his brother and his best friend; two more people to oppose the Nazi's. The problem with the World Wars was that MOST people were not like Peter. They were either completely brainwashed or too selfish to risk their lives for the benefit of others. If everyone was like Peter, War would not exist.
While watching the movie I had no clue that the swing kids existed. Throughout the whole movie I wondered what I would have done if I was put in those conditions too. The swing kids were very brave for sticking to what they truly enjoy even though they knew the consequences that would be given. If more people were like the swing kids then maybe the Nazi's would have been stopped. It was so shocking how easily some of them just changed to being a Nazi and following their beliefs in a matter of a few days.
While watching the movie I had no clue that the swing kids existed. Throughout the whole movie I wondered what I would have done if I was put in those conditions too. The swing kids were very brave for sticking to what they truly enjoy even though they knew the consequences that would be given. If more people were like the swing kids then maybe the Nazi's would have been stopped. It was so shocking how easily some of them just changed to being a Nazi and following their beliefs in a matter of a few days.
When watching the movie the "Swing Kids" I learned more about how much the citizens of Germany looked up to their government. As much as some families had been suffering from the ruling of Hitler they still obeyed his laws and regulations. I felt that the most important message when viewing the film was that you should never do something if you don't feel right about it. The film made it clear how society shouldn't go with the majority rule. Everyone should have a say in something and shouldn't be left out just because their vote is less than the others. Throughout the film you saw how much ONE person could affect a whole country. So many lives had been lost because of that ONE person and no one took it into their own hands. I feel everyone should view this film just to know and understand how much your opinion can change how society is run. I enjoyed this film very much because I was able to reflect what I would have done.
Through watching the swing kids I learned a lot about how propoganda and peer pressure can effect the masses. Thomas in the beginning of the movie was completely against the HJ and by the end of the movie he was fighting his best friend in support of them. When you are being told that something is right by everyone around you sometimes your views begin to fog.
"Swing Kids" was truly an inspirational movie for standing up for what you believe in. Unfortunately, the reality is, that it was very hard for a German boy not to join the Hitler Youth and become part of an ideal society and fit in. Although, I do not condone any actions of the Nazis, and what the Swing Kids did was influential in the way they started a movement and would not let group rule phase their beliefs and what they love to do. I believe it is important to have an identity and that everyone wants to fit in a specific society, as long as it is for the right intentions. This movie really motivated me to stand up for what i believe in regardless of peer pressure and most importantly also to not be a bystander.
"Swing Kids" was probably my favorite movie that we have watched this year. I found myself really relating to it because the main characters were kids our age. It really showed that the Nazi's didn't just effect Jews and other adults, but it effected all of Germany. I also never realized how the Nazi's were just as concerned with finding Jews and sending them away as they were with finding Germans who were possibly against what Nazi's stood for. I thought the movies ending was very sad yet powerful. I think it gave the message that everyone should stand up for what they believe in if they want to see any sort of difference.
From this film I learned that even musical differences were persecuted under Nazi law. I feel that this is such a gross intrusion on the growth of a country since all revolution begins with art. I really enjoyed this film. It really gave me perspective into the brainwashing of the Nazi's. Those were all just normal kids until these ideas were presented to them without opposition.
While watching this film in class, it was easy to see how these innocent children were convinced to report friends, innocent people, and even family to the Nazi regime. Something I did not know before watching this film was how HJ's could stop anyone in the street and beat them, for no real reason. I believe that the underlying message of this film is about the importance of standing up for something you believe in, even if you stand alone.
I learned a lot from the film, "Swing Kids". I never knew there were a group of swing kids during that time period who were tormented by the HJ. I couldn't imagine living as a jew in this time period. They would treat people with such disrespect that it made me furious while watching the movie. I couldn't believe when they delivered the ashes to a family. That was one of the most horrifying things that someone could do to bring a family misery. Overall, this film brought me to realize even more how tough life was during these times.
After watching “Swing Kids”, I had a better understanding of how the Nazi’s viewed the youth. I found it interesting that they created schools of not only ideology, but combat and tactics as well. The Nazi use of the children to spy on their parents without either of them knowing; shows how far they were willing to go to find information. They wished to eradicate people who disagreed and opposed the German/Nazi beliefs. This was probably my favorite movie so far as it was not only educational but also action filled and entertaining.
When i was watching swing kids i learned the utter control over day to day life that the nazis had even over children. I didnt realize that children formed any sort of resistance group. As it shows at the end of the movie for starting a resistence the older brother gets taken away. It was also interesting to see people turn their own fathers in, threaten their best friends and insult their other best friend to the point were he kills himself. the power that the nazis had over their own people.
I only saw a limited amount at the start of the film, but I was fascinated by the idea that there were other people living and breathing in Germany during the Nazi's reign. So often WWII Germany is just portrayed as a faceless mass, following Hitlers every will, and that is what quite a few people were doing, but there were plenty out there that did not feel the same way Hitler did, and would rather have just lived their own lives.
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