Through A Blue Lens

I'm at an odd period in my life. Now that I'm long out of university and high school, I'm finding myself re-watching the documentaries that my teachers made me watch all those years back. Through A Blue Lens is one of them. I don't even live in BC any more, but never the less I feel like the documentary now is much more meaningful than it was when I first saw it 20 or so years ago. When I first watched it, it meant nothing. When I watched it this time around, I became very emotional and cried. Age does that, I suppose. Some things we should only watch or read when we are mature enough to grapple it. The same goes with re-reading books at a different point in life. It's funny. When you're young, dumb, and think you're Super whoever, you stuff your parents or teachers try to show you simply doesn't phase you. We assume that they never were in our shoes. Then you live a little and fly on our own, taste the good and bad of life, and then come back to their lessons and are like, "woah, where the fuck was my head at the time?". I'm not saying live in the past---no, that never works. However, when all the beautiful people who were once in your life are six feet under or married and have long forgotten you, their lessons on humanity can sure come in handy, even if it takes 20 years to sink in. Re-watch Through a Blue Lens, or re-read an old book. You might be surprised at what it was people were trying to teach ya.

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I knew one of the guys in that

Jan 26, 2020 at 12:12am

I wonder if he is still alive, or if he ODed.
He was really nice guy and he showed me the poetry he wrote
on the walls of a hotel on Granville.

No kidding

Jan 26, 2020 at 12:48am

I watched the same documentary back in my last year of high school. it made me realize how grateful I am to appreciate what I do have. I don’t mean to sound political but how the government has allowed a terrible waste to pile up in the midst of Vancouver is just beyond me.

Ditto

Jan 26, 2020 at 12:49am

This documentary was well put together and really gives an insight on what goes on in the ghetto. it’s nice to see something related to home instead of one of those celebrity documentaries with “talking head interviews.” Some of those are way too gothic for my liking.

Absolutley!

Jan 27, 2020 at 11:48pm

I have to share!
I remember being under the age of 10 and looking at photos of books from the Holocaust.
My grandfather was a Canadian who soldier and took great time and effort to explain fascinating life changing tales about true history.
And then of course i was about 12 when I heard of Anne Franks Diary.
Holy jesus.
I think it is important that youth etc know of these things .
Then in grade 6 our class watched Roots.
Just life changing.
Slavery.
Abuse.
I do think back on the days of grandpas books and seeing a mass grave of humans and I asked whg do you have these and he said ," So we NEVER forget!"
Amazing man he was.
A true grandparent.. Teaching generations to come about history!!
And that awesome teacher .. Mrs. rajala for opening our eyes to racism!
Good post:)

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