Museum of Tolerance

[libraryvixen]

I've been to the Museum before... twice actually. The first time I went was around the time it first opened.

I know that there's at least 3 levels to the museumL the ground/lobby floor with the gift shop and the replica of Anne Frank's Diary, the 2nd floor with artifacts and the 3rd floor where the Holocaust Walk/Interactive exibits are.

Back then, they had a dark tunnel about maybe 30 feet or so that curved to the right so when you walked through, you could se absolutely nothing. Once inside, there would be whispers of all sorts of racial slurs coming from everywhere. It was creepy. I beleive they also made a South Park based on the Museum of Tolerance where Cartman walked through a similar tunnel. I'm pretty sure the tunnel is no longer there.

There's a light up map of all the hate groups in the United States and propaganda depiciting various stereotypes of different ethnic peoples and religious in advertising and comics.

It's in the waiting area for the Holocaust Walk. The Holocaust is a self guided tour where you get to see how the movement of Hitler spread through Europe.

At the beginning of the tour, you get a plastic card with a picture of a child on it. In the middle of the tour, you swipe your card and you learn more about your child, their family, and the circumstances around them going to one of the camps.

In the first half of the tour, there are highlights on how Hitler came to power. It's interesting because one can see how others were buying into Hiltler's idea, as twisted as it was.

The second part of the tour deals with the Death Camps. Eventually you make your way to a sorting area similar to the ones the new arrivals saw. At the end of the tour, you sit in a Gassing Shower similar to the ones at the death camps and you also watch a video about the gas chamber while you're sitting on the benches. This is the end of the tour.

As you leave the gas chamber, you walk into a beautiful room filled with light and glass. It's called the Survivor's room. There are stories of people who rescued Jews and other persecuted persons and, of course, the survivors of the Holocaust. This is the room where you scan your card one last time and find out the fate of the child you carried around during the tour. You also get a printout of the information for your kid. I have been fortunate 2 times as my children have always survived. My travel companions have not been so lucky.

The 2nd floor artifacts room has a room dedicated to death camp artifacts. There is an actual bunk from one of the camps and a picture to show how people were packed in them. One of the things that has haunted me over the years is a pile of shoes. I kept thinking that people used to fill those shoes... and then I would get weepy. It also shows the strength of the human spirit in the crudely made musical instruments and other items.

There's an interactive computer lab chronicling the different periods of World War 2. In addition, there are also army uniforms from the different factions that fought in the war.

It's been a while since I've been to the Museum, so that's all I remember. When my child is maybe 10-11, I'll take her there. She's only 7 so we have a while to go.

The tour, for me, was emotionally draining. After each time I've gone on the tour, I've promply driven back to DL so I could just sit and watch happiness for a while. Hopefully you and your son have a happy place when you get done with the tour so you guys can just sit and refill your happy meters.

[MouseWife]

GD~ That is what I was thinking myself...

libraryvixen~ Oh, see, just reading your summary about the museum had me all choked up. I hope that I can handle it. When they sing 'The Star Spangled Banner' it makes me emotional.

Thank you so much for the summary, I think I will print it up to help me make sure what I don't want to miss and what to be prepared for.

Babette~ Seriously, I don't know if I can tolerate that ride...I may just suck it up and drive....and, I agree about those getting it and those not. If he doesn't, he can come back again and at least know what to expect. And, I think I need to read that book myself.

Kevy Baby, ooo, I live way further than that...I think it will be at least a three hour drive. Include with the the preparing to get on the bus and then the gathering up the kids after. I think the bus ride home will be quite somber. If it isn't I think I'm gonna pop open a can of 'Whup @$$' on them.

tracilicious~ That was my first {and still to a large degree} feeling. I asked why and if they were even studying it. I don't really compare reading the book to going to the museum, the book seems quite age appropriate. So, this is why I am going.

I know my son had a very difficult time with things when his grandmother passed away when he was 10.

Everyones responses have really helped me to feel comfortable with him going, as long as I go with him.

I will print up your summary and go to the website and see what else I should print up.

Any other ideas will be greatly appreciated, I think if we go we won't go again for some time.

And, I understand going to Disneyland after and seeing happy people. I know this is not really comparable but after I saw 'Titanic', I was really drained. All of that was so real and knowing it really happened just got to me. On the way home from the theater I looked out the window {I wasn't driving} at the people and life going on and thought about those who died. What they went through. See, this may be harder on me......

Do they stock Kleenex?

[Kevy Baby]

As much as I wouldn't want to spend two hour-long trips in a bus with sixth graders, I would be curious to know what (if any) difference there is between the ride TO the museum and the ride back.

[tracilicious]

That's a great summary, LV, thanks. I've not been to the museum, but I read Number the Stars in fourth grade and saw a holocaust survivor speak in the seventh. I think an eleven year old can probably handle it. I don't really see the point of such young exposure, but then I don't have an eleven year old. I think that you are right in going with him. Then you know exactly what he saw and can help him process it.

[tracilicious]

A six hour roundtrip drive to see a holocaust museum when they aren't even studying it? Sounds a bit nuts (of the teachers) to me. Can't they just watch Schindler's List?

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by tracilicious

A six hour roundtrip drive to see a holocaust museum when they aren't even studying it? Sounds a bit nuts (of the teachers) to me. Can't they just watch Schindler's List?

They are lightly studying it. They read the book 'Number the Stars'. That's it.

I know that my sons own teacher was not for it. But, he also has back problems and that combined with the whole out of town trip is too much.

Ya know, I think that for their age that perhaps a trip to Riley's Farm where it is early Americana would be more age appropriate.

I really think they want to 'break' these kids. I understand private schools may have studied this more indepth. We haven't.

Ugh, to see 'six hour bus ride' in print was a shock to my system.

[Prudence]

I don't have kids yet, and remembering back to sixth grade is sometimes a stretch, but I think we could have handled that sort of trip without major problems. I do think the experience will be enhanced if you talk with your son about the experience, but that's true of most educational field trips.

Actually, I think it's the perfect age to go. They're old enough to some sense that history isn't all Washington Crossing the Delaware and "Mr. Watson, come here, I need you." They're either headed for jr. high or already in middle school - which means that before too long the "cooler than you" fences will be too fortified to allow any impact. That doesn't mean it will be easy or fun, but learning that not everything is easy or fun in a controlled setting is a valuable lesson itself.

Oh, and when I was in sixth grade we did the whole "Pioneer Farms" thing. What a snoozer that was. We had to do this whole unit in preparation of making pioneer toys and crafts and crap. We were way too old to be making wooden spoon dolls. It would have been great for 4th graders, maybe.

[MouseWife]

I think you are right about getting them before that attitude. But, sadly, I guess I am thinking of how those who have that attitude already might ruin the experience for the others.

You didn't like the 'Pioneer Farms'? I'll have to check your link but I haven't been to Riley Farms, either, just their webpage. I'd personally love to do that. Ha ha, that would be a crazy LoT meet, get as many as possible to participate in the war activity. Or the wagon trek? Okay, I'd pass on the wagon trek, you don't have any horses, YOU have to pull the wagon! Now, I KNOW they had horses back in the day....

I will work with my son {with the help of everyone here and their input } and if I have to I will seperate us from the groups {I am assuming it will be like any other trip where we have groups of children to monitor} so that mine can experience it freely without any comments from the 'cooler than you' kids.

I do appreciate everyones opinions and advice! Keep it coming!

The trip is in June so I have time to do my homework.

[MouseWife]

Update:

So, I've been searching the MOT website for worksheets and help for parents/teachers, buying books and asking the older kids to discuss the subject with the Boy when they are able. Always taking opportunies. Also, I gave him another book to read, I think it is called 'Jacobs Rescue'.

I had opportunity to go in to the school office with another mom and there is the principal. So I ask her if I can drive up and take my son home with me? Sure, no problem, he is your kid. {my sentiments exactly} Then I ask her how this trip came about if they aren't studying the subject? She said 'Oh yes, they are. They read that book about 'Stars'.' I said 'Number The Stars? Yes, but that is it.'

So she goes on to assure me that they are being prepared and they are discussing intolerance in class often. I say 'Intolerance and The Holocaust are two very different things.' She assures me that we have situations going on today {Dafur} and I probably rolled my eyes and said 'Well, this is why I want to go with my son'. She said it was also up to the parents to discuss the matter with the kids and I said that I indeed was.

So. The next thing I hear is that my son says they discussed the Holocaust in class that day {after I spoke with her}. I had to laugh. Because...it turns out that while they are going to the MOT they are NOT doing the Holocaust part. The person they booked the trip with said they are too young. It is at least for 7th graders.

So, I tell this to my sons teacher who gave me a look like 'Really?' Talk about communication between the teachers!! The teacher in charge, it was her event, she only invited the other students, I think, to help bring down the costs but it didn't.

So. I was hit with 'Do I really want to go on this bus for all of that time on two seperate 2 1/2 hour tours with these kids??? With these adults???' I decided yes because from what I've seen, I really need to be there to see what my son is being taught.

AND I realized that thier trip is on 'D-Day'. I wonder if they'll touch upon that?

Thanks you guys for all of your help. While they won't be doing it this time around, we will. If I had someone to drive up with I wouldn't ride the bus and I would hang out longer up in L.A. but alas I can't. So, just the two tours and a bunch of kids.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I really wish that there were more parents who took such an active interest in what their children were being taught. Hats off to you, MouseWife.