Mia thought Morava was pretty nurturing. Was she brainwashed or is this any all american girl's idea of nurturing guest?
I can guess at her state of mind. When I first got out of Straight, local authorities and the media were on one of their perennial intense interest and outrage kicks. They were trying to get kids to make formal complaints against their parents and the program. I was more than willing to do that, except that I hadn't seen or experienced any real abuse.
I really thought that that was the case when they asked me. I thought of, but didn't tell them, about the couple of days that I got marathoned and sat on. I thought it wouldn't be fair to describe that as abuse because I, just like everybody, had a choice. If we would just comply and participate, those things wouldn't happen. I was only vaguely aware of the mindfuck aspect of it. No, I was acutely, painfully aware of it, just at a complete loss as to how to articulate it at all. And I didn't want to be a part of promoting the idea that everything in there would be just okee dokee if only they'd eliminate the sort of abuse that leaves physical evidence. And, besides, I guess I had sort of a familial bond w/ the people involved. I wanted the program shut down and the whole crazy thing to stop. But I didn't want anyone involved, especially my parents, to suffer one bit more than was absolutely necessary to make that happen. And I didn't trust the state people, I thought they were working their own agenda, nevermind what it did to the pawns involved. And back around yet again to 'it's not fair to call it abuse, outsideers just wouldn't understand so I'd better just say nothing.'
That's how brainwashing works. You just induce enough fatigue and self doubt in someone so that they'll be grateful for any simplistic explanation to believe in, however unbelievable.
