School House Rock makes me sad.

[jimsmegos]

Was introducing the baby to these wonderful musical shorts from once upon a time ago and i got so sad. Considering the "PC" nature of our 21st century America the majority of them are considered offensive.

I'm not trying to go political but I have to ask, "Where did we go wrong?"

[HardyGirl]

Aw, don't let it get you down. When I was teaching after school a couple of years ago, I'd bring my SR tapes in for my class to watch and it was OK. Many of them said they had them or had at least seen them. If you don't have a problem letting Kaitlynn watch them, then let her watch them. After all you are her father. It's your place to guide her in whatever way you see fit.

[Mikey]

To me it seems many things are less PC today than they were in the 90's

The 90's were the worst imo

[huedell]

To me it seems many things are less PC today than they were in the 90's

The 90's were the worst imo

Yet... paradoxical to the downtrodden tone of this thread's inspiration,
smackdab in the 90s was the time that SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK was being most revived and tributed:
(from wiki)
Several tie-ins were released in 1996:

Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks, a tribute album featuring covers of Schoolhouse Rocks songs performed by alternative rock acts
Schoolhouse Rock! The Official Guide (ISBN 0-7868-8170-4), written by Tom Yohe and George Newall, and including synopses, lyrics, and production notes about each of the shorts created to date, except "The Weather Show," which was the subject of pending litigation and so could not be included.
The Schoolhouse Rock Songbook (Cherry Lane Music), containing sheet music for ten songs.
Schoolhouse Rock! Soundtrack The 4 CD release with bonus tracks on each CD was released on June 18, 1996 by Rhino Records
In addition to the above, Rhino Records also released Schoolhouse Rocks the Vote!: A Benefit for Rock the Vote, a tribute album containing covers and original songs in the style of Schoolhouse Rock, all with an electoral theme. It was released on August 18, 1998.

[huedell]

Was introducing the baby to these wonderful musical shorts from once upon a time ago and i got so sad. Considering the "PC" nature of our 21st century America the majority of them are considered offensive.

I'm not trying to go political but I have to ask, "Where did we go wrong?"

Honestly, I don't even get what you're referring to.

I went to the SR wiki page expecting to see something about these issues
and found nothing.

As HG mentioned, I'd just show your kid what you want, trusting
your parenting instincts and try not to be too phased by the idea
that times have changed in 30 years... that's just how it goes.

[The Toyroom]

What's "offensive" about Schoolhouse Rock?

[johnnystorm]

I don't see anything wrong with them either...I try to get my daughter to watch them, the songs are catchy and I know they'll help her out with math, etc. After all, "three is a magic number!"
And now since I've thought about it, "Conjunction Junction" will echo endlessly in my empty noggin all day long.

[jimsmegos]

Have no fear I will be introducing the baby to these and many other items that some may find offensive. I was mainly refering to the fact that you'll never see these on broadcast television again. I'llexplaon myself better later. But think about some of the presentations and I think you'll see what I mean.

[CaptainTrenchcoat]

The only thing I found odd about those were the Melting Pot one. My ex is a sub teacher and they teach kids nowadays that the US is a mosiac, not a melting pot anymore. That was the only thing I found that changed with the PC angle. We are not one culture, but many within one.

[mazinz]

It was not school house rock but another abc inbetween short. It was called "beans and rice", where it had a couple of clearly Spanish drawn kids eating the food. The song was catchy as hell but I can see some super sensitive people nowadays losing their mind over it

Another mild one was with Zack. His songs were like "don't shout Zack is going to show you what it is all about". I think those aired in the mid 80's? At any rate he was explaining to a boy and girl the jobs they can do when they get older. The woman had "woman jobs",while the guy had the stereotypical men jobs-- policeman, fireman, etc. It was hilarious to watch now as he tells the girl she can grow up and be a seamstress. Some of that stuff would not fly by today's standards.

[huedell]

The only thing I found odd about those were the Melting Pot one. My ex is a sub teacher and they teach kids nowadays that the US is a mosiac, not a melting pot anymore. That was the only thing I found that changed with the PC angle. We are not one culture, but many within one.

My first reaction would be that there is a place for both philosophies...
or "takes" on the American experience... I would not want to encourage
one in totality, nor the other.

[Mikey]

I think the "American experience" is dying.

For one thing, back in the old days most immigrants tried to become American.

Today most immigrants think "American" is a bad word

[johnmiic]

I don't see very much that is offensive in Schoolhouse Rock. I only remember a few of them tho.

When you ask: "Where did we go wrong?", do you mean how there is far less educational stuff like SR on TV now-a-days? Networks moved everything over to Animation. Live action educational shows like Captain Kangaroo, Romper Room and The Magic Garden really got squeezed out. Then they switched to shows more like Fat Albert, He-Man & G.I. Joe, (lots of Filmation shows), where the story had a message and they would make some statement at the end about it. Not always as good of a way to educate I think. The SR shorts were very imaginative, well-made and always catchy.

[Mikey]

Remember "In the News" ?

I used to hate it and turn the channel when it came on

[Cmonster]

Today most immigrants think "American" is a bad word

So why do they come here, then? They want to live in AMERICA, but not BE American?

SC