Dad

You decide…

Debating Delusions

Little House on the Prairie

My critical thinking journey began as a young girl watching Little House on the Prairie. Everyone I knew read the books, as did I, and really loved the t.v. show. I could see myself as little Laura on the American frontier, wearing a gingham dress and sitting in a one room schoolhouse.

Then it began.

“That guy’s wearing eyeliner,” Dad remarked, referring the Pa Ingalls.

“No! They didn’t have eyeliner on the prairie!”

“Your Mom wears eyeliner. Let’s see what she thinks. Is he wearing eyeliner?”

“Yes,” said my Mother simply.

“No! It can’t be! There’s no eyeliner back then. And he’s a man and men don’t wear eyeliner.” It was the ‘70s.

“Look close at his eyes. There’s a black line around them. Look at your eyes. Do you see a black line?”

I ran to the bathroom to look in the mirror, but I knew what the answer would be.

“Dad! You’re ruining it!” Years later I realized later it was the illusion that was being ruined, and the…