Recently, the 1964 movie, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, has faced criticism for promoting bullying, talking down from parents, and being unfriendly. Here are my thoughts on that...and more.
1. This movie is a Christmas classic. If you like it, good. If you don't fine. It's a over 50 years old and if it offends you, it's not the problem, your perspective (or overly sensitive feelings) are. To add to this, if you're offended just now by something that has been around for 50 - 100 years, someone has gotten in your head. That object hasn't just changed to become offensive.
2. Why are you focusing on Rudolph being picked on for having a different nose? Guess what, kids are mean, and adults can be meaner. Why aren't we focusing on Rudolph shrugging off the criticism of his peers, ignoring the negative talk from his coach, and not letting the discipline of his parents (more on that next) turn him into a victim? He was an overcomer. He took all that negative, all the hate, all the back turns, and overcame it to become a leader and a hero in the end. That's what the story is really about.
3. And for parents, if you don't at times have to be "hard" on your kids, what do you think they will become? I want my son to grow up loving and respecting others. But I also want him to be prepared for a cold harsh world that will not always treat him kind. I'm going to love him and support him always, but at times I will scold him harder than anyone else because I want him to me the absolute best that he can be. When he gets mad at me, he tells me, "You're not my best friend anymore." Well guess what bud, my role as a father is not to be your best friend, it is to mold you into the type of man who will be a best friend to others.
4. And what he wants to be a dentist like Hermey? Some people are offended that the other elves shunned Hermey because of his desire to be a dentist. Was this nice? No. Is it accurate? I believe so. Hey, I got picked on in school for being a geek, nerd, dweeb, whatever you want to call it. I wasn't the cool kid and honestly had some self-esteem issues at times. But guess what, because of my loving, caring, and supportive parents preparing me for things like this, those people's comments and actions didn't stop me. Now, my nerdy butt has a college degree and a prosperous career. Let your haters keep pouring fuel on your fire. And then when it's time, strike the match and blow up - make the team, become the all-star, get named CEO, graduate!
We have to quit playing victim, letting everything offend us, and acting like everyone is out for our good. Unfortunately they're not. Encourage your children, discipline them, tell them that they can overcome any abnormality they may have. Let them know that other's perceptions of them are not the determining factors in their future success in life.
And for goodness sakes, let's quit crying and whining about a 50 year old movie when we are facing real issues today. Leave Rudolph alone. Enjoy Christmas. Remember the reason for the season is birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - who by the way, offended some people as well.
1. This movie is a Christmas classic. If you like it, good. If you don't fine. It's a over 50 years old and if it offends you, it's not the problem, your perspective (or overly sensitive feelings) are. To add to this, if you're offended just now by something that has been around for 50 - 100 years, someone has gotten in your head. That object hasn't just changed to become offensive.
2. Why are you focusing on Rudolph being picked on for having a different nose? Guess what, kids are mean, and adults can be meaner. Why aren't we focusing on Rudolph shrugging off the criticism of his peers, ignoring the negative talk from his coach, and not letting the discipline of his parents (more on that next) turn him into a victim? He was an overcomer. He took all that negative, all the hate, all the back turns, and overcame it to become a leader and a hero in the end. That's what the story is really about.
3. And for parents, if you don't at times have to be "hard" on your kids, what do you think they will become? I want my son to grow up loving and respecting others. But I also want him to be prepared for a cold harsh world that will not always treat him kind. I'm going to love him and support him always, but at times I will scold him harder than anyone else because I want him to me the absolute best that he can be. When he gets mad at me, he tells me, "You're not my best friend anymore." Well guess what bud, my role as a father is not to be your best friend, it is to mold you into the type of man who will be a best friend to others.
4. And what he wants to be a dentist like Hermey? Some people are offended that the other elves shunned Hermey because of his desire to be a dentist. Was this nice? No. Is it accurate? I believe so. Hey, I got picked on in school for being a geek, nerd, dweeb, whatever you want to call it. I wasn't the cool kid and honestly had some self-esteem issues at times. But guess what, because of my loving, caring, and supportive parents preparing me for things like this, those people's comments and actions didn't stop me. Now, my nerdy butt has a college degree and a prosperous career. Let your haters keep pouring fuel on your fire. And then when it's time, strike the match and blow up - make the team, become the all-star, get named CEO, graduate!
We have to quit playing victim, letting everything offend us, and acting like everyone is out for our good. Unfortunately they're not. Encourage your children, discipline them, tell them that they can overcome any abnormality they may have. Let them know that other's perceptions of them are not the determining factors in their future success in life.
And for goodness sakes, let's quit crying and whining about a 50 year old movie when we are facing real issues today. Leave Rudolph alone. Enjoy Christmas. Remember the reason for the season is birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - who by the way, offended some people as well.
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