I think she was right, we need this kind of (age-appropriate) honesty with our children. I agree with Gloria that discussion is important, and not just in response to disturbing images. It's important at home, in school and in our public life. We can't gloss over the ugly parts of our history in pursuit of a fantasy version. We need to learn from our mistakes, and to understand the true nature of the dangers we live with and what is needed from us to overcome them.
It would do more damage to lie and have them discover, as adults, how much they had been deceived, leading to distrust, hopelessness and despair. For nations as well as individuals, wellness means facing up to reality, however painful, in order to move forward.
Ironic that few raise concern for children's innocence when it comes to rather violent cartoons or entertainment videos (even in the 1950s). Why should we encourage the notion that violence is fun or funny, and that it doesn't really exist beyond a TV screen?