Should students read Mein Kampf?

[VoidCat]

Tagging @ecco
Some high schools have the book in the school library. My question is should it be read by students? Is it important that we read such a book to understand history in order to not repeat it or is it a bad idea to teach about such political ideaology in detail? What are y'alls thoughts? I dont know if it should or shouldn't.

 

[Regiomontanus]

Tagging @ecco
Some high schools have the book in the school library. My question is should it be read by students? Is it important that we read such a book to understand history or is it a bad idea to teach such ideas exist? I am neutral on the topic...

Not reading the works of such monsters would be much worse, IMHO, than reading them.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Tagging @ecco
Some high schools have the book in the school library. My question is should it be read by students? Is it important that we read such a book to understand history or is it a bad idea to teach such ideas exist? I am neutral on the topic...

As mandatory reading?

 

[VoidCat]

Not reading the works of such monsters would be much worse, IMHO, than reading them.

So mistakes wouldn't be repeated?

 

[Orbit]

You read books in school to learn something. What does Mein Kampf teach? That should be the question.

 

[VoidCat]

As mandatory reading?

Not exactly just reading in general

 

[VoidCat]

You read books in school to learn something. What does Mein Kamf teach? That should be the question.

History I guess...how the Jews were viewed at the time...a political ideology of hatred. Take your pick.

 

[Regiomontanus]

So mistakes wouldn't be repeated?

Yes

 

[JustGeorge]

I think it should be available. I don't think it should be mandatory.

 

[Nimos]

Tagging @ecco
Some high schools have the book in the school library. My question is should it be read by students? Is it important that we read such a book to understand history or is it a bad idea to teach such ideas exist? I am not sure on the topic...

If its relevant for whatever the students need to be taught or if they are simply curious then why not. I doubt one becomes a nazi from reading it unless one already are thinking in those lines, in which case it probably wouldn't make any difference anyway.

Have actually thought about reading it myself, have read most of Breiviks nonsense, so I expect it to be along the same lines.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Tagging @ecco
Some high schools have the book in the school library. My question is should it be read by students? Is it important that we read such a book to understand history or is it a bad idea to teach such ideas exist? I am not sure on the topic...

I would think its best left for college institutions and elected majors where the book would best apply such as psychology or political science among others.

High school might be ok if a student is pursuing a minor in a field where Mein Kampf could be a useful study tool.

It seems such a book may prove too disruptive for lower grades but maybe used in bits and pieces by faculty for teaching purposes.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I think it should be available. I don't think it should be mandatory.

I agree with that. But ...

How many times as a typical teenager I wanted Hustler magazine in the school library, but only had access to National Geographic.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I've read it. As some here know, I'm interested in history. Dictators and in particular tyrants have always interested me, mostly in terms of how they acquired power, and what societal failings opened a path for them.

Trying to understand our failings is important. But I have to admit, reading it didn't lead to a light bulb moment. It was more incoherent than compelling or informative.

As @Orbit said, what would it be teaching?

But having it available is okay, I think.

 

[JustGeorge]

I agree with that. But ...

How many times as a typical teenager I wanted Hustler magazine in the school library, but only had access to National Geographic.

You could have taken it up with the librarian.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I agree with that. But ...

How many times as a typical teenager I wanted Hustler magazine in the school library, but only had access to National Geographic.

Heh...made me chuckle.

But if your point is that we don't need to ensure its available in every library, I completely agree.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Not reading the works of such monsters would be much worse, IMHO, than reading them.

That's kinda how I look at it. It's a window into the inner psyche of Hitler and the history that followed it.

I think some might fear it might be inspiring for some people though.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

You read books in school to learn something. What does Mein Kampf teach? That should be the question.

A great opportunity for introducing critical thought, information evaluation and media literacy, and how they overlap and relate. I would also show Hitler's speeches, translated and unedited, for highlighting the need to look past what we see on TV or the internet.

 

[Augustus]

Tagging @ecco
Some high schools have the book in the school library. My question is should it be read by students? Is it important that we read such a book to understand history in order to not repeat it or is it a bad idea to teach about such political ideaology in detail? What are y'alls thoughts? I dont know if it should or shouldn't.

I'd say it shouldn't be in school libraries as it needs far more context than will be provided.

If a school gives access to the text they are duty bound to provide this and it is not possible.

Plenty of books about the Nazis and WW2 that would be more educational than Mein Kampf.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I think some might fear it might be inspiring for some people.

Presented in a proper way I don't see it happening much. It can also help to identify some problematic thinking in students while they are young, and challenge those ideas in a meaningful way while someone is young, rather than letting them reach adulthood with little opposition towards such views.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Tagging @ecco
Some high schools have the book in the school library. My question is should it be read by students? Is it important that we read such a book to understand history in order to not repeat it or is it a bad idea to teach about such political ideaology in detail? What are y'alls thoughts? I dont know if it should or shouldn't.

The OP only says "students," and those come in all ages. I rather suspect that those in more junior grades (say anything less than college), it's probably a stretch to suppose that they should read it, as a mandatory subject. On the other hand, I happen to believe that college/university students (and that other oddity, the adult learner like me) should try to read as much as possible of the texts that have indisputably shaped our world -- or shaped some of the eras that have made our history what it is.

At the end of the day, understanding is not a bad thing at all.