First of all AWESOME movie. Very glad we saw it. But a couple things that really bothered me and caused the JW childhood trauma to surface:
Poor little Michael getting beat with a belt by Joseph while his mom did nothing. That was pretty much standard protocol for all witnesses back in the 80s. If you didn’t get it at the hall you got it at home after the meetings. For what? For being a freaking kid. My father was an elder and ruled with an iron first. Meanwhile mom would do nothing as the whooping were happening. So much trauma to unfold there.
Watching the movie brought up all the flashback of us being told that we could not listen to Michael Jackson’s music. I remember one circuit overseer at the circuit assembly put a Michael Jackson glove on and said something to the effect of “how would you feel if I came to your house wearing this.” That’s all JDUB parents needed to hear. No more Michael Jackson music. So again in trouble for just trying to be a normal kid…. Don’t worry though my brother and I snuck to the neighbors house to watch Thriller video.
Just crazy how effed up our lives were being raised at JDUBS. Now as an adult can’t even go watch an amazing movie without all those feelings of being different growing up coming back. It’s amazing any of us turned out half way normal!