I've said it before: the post-Vatican II Mass is theologically and aesthetically offensive. Giving up the glorious tradition of the Tridentine Mass for the heartbreaking sentimental kitsch that took its place was a disastrous decision.
You've got it right and wrong: Giving it up for what you suggest was the alternative (and in fact may well have been, in many places, was disastrous or unfortunate.
The idea that giving it up in order to then actually communicate well with the target audience was a fine and honorable one.
Just a pity they didn't have the staff, training, experience, willingness in place, to do anything with it.
And then there's the question to what extent people want context and understanding and wouldn't actually prefer RITE.
(I might mention that I've also been brought up in catholic schools -- though I was never involved in the Mass myself, except for singing Mass or the Gregorian chants every Sunday with the choir.)