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'Brokeback' school screening spurs 12 year old into legal action
By Stone Martindale May 14, 2007, 0:57 GMT
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Older Talkback
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wow america's lawsuit situation is so pathetic... shove that psychological distress somewhere else, GET OVER IT. if you have nothing to do at school and watch a movie, be glad for a little break, dont whine about morals or how it's ruining your mind. If you don't like a movie, GET THE @#$% out of the room.
I would be very upset if my 12 year old was shown Brokeback Mountain by a school employee. The family has every right to sue the school. Hopefully, no other adult will exercise such poor judgement in the future.
How would people react if 'Passion of the Christ' (or some other equally controversial Christian movie) were shown to students without any parental permission or way to be excused? I think that all material meant for 18 year olds and older should be watched ONLY with parent or guardian permission. This substitute and principal were not being responsible and not respecting families decisions and rights by showing this movie. And what child is going to get up and leave a movie and be ridiculed by her classmates and maybe even the teacher? The teacher is the adult and should be making ALL students feel safe and secure. This was a stupid mistake and someone needs to pay so that others will not make it.
I'm glad that they are suing. What gives a substitute teacher, a complete stranger, no less, the right to show an R rated movie to a 12 year old? When did parents lose the right to judge what is acceptable and appropriate for their own child? I'm totally on board with showing a movie once in a while, but for goodness sake ... Brokeback Mountain? For a country that complains so much about the education (or lack of it) of our children, why on earth wouldn't you require a substitute to actually teach something? I would be extremely upset if I was forced to watch a sexually explicit movie and I'm 44 years old! This is outrageous.
The teacher should be disciplined. I understand why the parents are suing.
Even if it were a sexual encounter between a man and a woman in film, that would be inappropriate to view for a 12 year old. An Homosexual encounter is worse and isn't normal. I know that this will anger some, but I don't care.
She's 12 of course she's going to be tramatized by seeing graphic sex, whether it's between a woman and a man, two men or even two women!! Both the principal and the teacher should be fired. I have a hard time just believing that it happened, I'm in high school and we have to get permission from our parents to watch a PG-13 movie where all they do is cuss. What were they thinking??
I think this 'teacher' should be fired. Its just plain wrong to show R rated movies to 12 yr olds in school. To 'Sue This' clearly you are not a parent or you would understand that its hard to keep your children safe from the sick stuff that the world has come to accept. Adults have options, if it were me Id leave, but 12 yr olds don't have that option.
cmon people, i agree with your points about parental consent and suchlike, but does anyone really believe the 12 yr old is traumatised and undergoing real counselling ? wake up and smell the coffee as there is a good chance the girl is sexually experienced anyway, and even if that's not the case she sure as hell should be educated enought at 12 yrs old NOT to be traumatised by this. Congratulations on the most litigious society on earth.
Yet another teacher without a trace of comon sense. Rated R means no one under 18 without a parent present. While not as bad as the NJ history teacher preaching this comes in a very close second. While I don't think this should be good for $400K I do think it should cost the sub her teaching credential.
Maybe people should stop suing for something as innocous as movie. Yeah ok the teacher went a bit far, but I was shown Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet, which has full frontal nudity, I was 14. Do get so high and mighty because of a movie, it doesn't befit anyone. Senseless suing helps no one in the long run.
Graphic sex?!!!! Are we talking about the same movie?
By the way, it seems you, stupid American GOPs, are always very concerned about sex, but not at all about guns. It seems you did adopt the ideas of those you hate, the Muslims, you love death, instead of life. Don't remember anyone in the brave conservative America suing because there are kids with guns in their schools. But speak about evolution, speak about sex, speak about not believing in your God, and wow, here cames the lawsuits and the scandalized stupid Americans.
People suing is why I have no faith in the human race. We are all doomed, because everyone is so pent up in being out for themselves.
Stuff like this is why I send my kid to a private school. The substitute teacher should be fired for showing an R-rated movie to minors (or any Hollywood film in an educational setting, for that matter) and the school should be sued for allowing it to happen. Regardless of the content, the movie was not fit to be shown to children, let alone in a setting where they faced punishment for getting up and leaving the room. What school allows students to just get up and walk out of class 'at will'? (...Anyone? I didn't think so.) To suggest that a student is able to simply get up and leave the *bleeping* room is on the same level of 'dumbass' as showing an R-rated movie to minors. Which brings up another point, that movie movie was a huge disappointment. It was just plain bad. Cowboys don't say the sappy crap they did, and cowboys don't cry over a broken heart (not even gay cowboys and yes I've known a few).
two points i'd like to make:
1. let's just run to the lawyer straight off the bat. what does this teach kids about solving problems? how about asking for ameeting with the teacher and principal, and discussing what happened and your concerns? let the kid in on it too, so she can attest to her own anguish if any, not that conferred by the adults in her life. let's teach our kids that talking things through is the FIRST step in addressing our problems.
2. i don't care about the subject matter of the film; i find it difficult to believe that this 12 year wasn't at least peripherally aware of this film and its content: i was well aware of Rosemary's Baby when i was that age, but i wasn't allowed to see it. she knows what Brokeback Mountain was about. could she have not turned her desk around, or put her head down on her desk and not watched? i agree that force should not have been an issue; there are plenty of instances of poor judgment here, but the kid had a few options.
what does irk me about the situation is that they're showing ANY movie in school! do our kids really need 1.5-2 hours of learning time sucked up by something we can offer them outside of the classroom? there's absolutely no need to should a feature-length film od ANY subject in school.
Oh SPARE me. I am sick and tired of everone's shenanigans. You know we are going to lose our freedom if you people don't stop making people censor everything and have a little hissy over a movie forcing our small freedoms to end.
When I was in 7th grade my teacher showed us animal mating. I also got to see the Romeo Juliet full frontal. In health class when I was 14 or so we had the pleasure of learning all about sex.
While the movie was tastefully done it was still rated R and the teacher should have had permission to show it - I think it should be more of a discipline thing not a get rich quick thing.
It sounds like this family doesn't have enough 'real trauma' in their lives and are fabricating some.
While Brokeback Mountain might not be an appropriate choice, it bothers me that so many parents are willing to exploit their children in order to get their fifteen minutes of fame. 'MY CHILD is more important than anybody. Little Susie was SO upset that she ended up getting interviewed on the TODAY show...'
Yes, honey, and Little Susie is the most important child in the world. Give me a break!!!
My only objection would be - as was stated by an earlier poster - that a rated R movie, regardless of subject matter, should ONLY be shown to minors WITH parental permission. When I was in school we had to get permission slips to attend 'sex education' class. About half the parents didn't allow the kids in that class. There are certain things that still need to be left to the discretion of the parents. An R-rated movie is definitely one of them.
Too bad it was Brokeback Mountain and not some other film... unfortunately the discussion is going to get lost in 'gay' issues, when that's not even the real issue here. Whether it was 'sex' or 'violence' or whatever in a film that got it an R-rating, the school should NOT have shown it to the kids - substitute teacher or otherwise - without the permission of the parents. Period. If the teacher showed the kids Playboy Magazine - we'd be talking 'contributing to the delinquency of a minor here' and Playboy is restricted to 18-over AS is the R-rating on a film. I realize it's not 'the same thing,' but why have the R-rating to 'protect' minors if minors aren't going to be protected?
They dropped the ball on this one and the lawsuit should just be the first step. Demands for guidelines to prevent things like this from happening in the future within this school district/region (and others watching should follow suit) need to be enacted, the substitute should be disciplined (especially if the what happens in her class stays in her class thing was really said - at that age you should never encourage teens to NOT talk to their parents about things - ridiculous!) and the principal as well (if knowledge of the R-rated movie was true).
Ok, I don't agree that lawsuits should be the first action, but I do know that when I saw the Romeo & Juliet referenced above, I was required to get a parental permission slip signed. Also for every other 'R' rated movie that was shown.
When I saw 'Brokeback,' and yes, I'm an adult and had purchased it, I was distracted for a moment before the 'sex scene' and came back just in time to see the coital moment. It seemed very violent and almost rape-like from that perspective. I re-wound the movie and saw the rest of the context, which helped some, but it still seemed more violent that I would care to see in a feature film.
That's just my take, though. I can understand how, to a 12 year old, that may seem traumatic.
I don't agree that a lawsuit should have been brought, but I do agree that the teacher was wrong for showing it in that manner.
As for the 12 year old, they could have claimed a stomach ache and gone to the nurse's office for that period, if they wanted to. If the teacher wouldn't give a pass to the nurse's office, then she certainly should lose her teaching cert.
Generally, I'm not one to support lawsuits of this nature.
However, I do remember the authority that teachers represent when you're in school (all the way up until your high school graduation, in fact), and when a teacher says 'We're going to watch this movie', then that's what you do. It doesn't even occur to you to walk out of the classroom and go to the Teacher's Supervisor (the Principal) - those are the sorts of things that you learn you can do once you get out of school, and you *surely* don't realize you can do it when you're 12.
The teacher showed a class of minors an R-Rated movie. I don't care if they were First Graders, or Seniors in High School. They're minors.
I don't care if the movie was Brokeback Mountain, the Director's Cut of Amadeus, or Monty Python and the Life of Brian. They're all rated R, End of Story.
To @Tess
Gotta love the way you use a story like this to rant against the GOP, wheres the connection or dosnt it matter (so full of hate right)?
Are the parents right to sue? Probably not, however if they hadnt threatened to, then this teacher would continue to act outside the rules so its probably the only way to get this the attention it deserves. Is the kid traumatised? Of course not. Class rooms should not be used to push political or religious agendas, thats the point here. I dont want 'intelligent design', 'gay rights' or any other form of crap shoved at my kids, debate it with me I can laugh at you if I want, force it on my children and it just proves that your scumbags.
Brokeback Mountain is a good film. So are Apocalypse Now, The Pianist, Deliverance, Psycho, Schindler's List, and The Deer Hunter. None of them are appropriate for a 12-year-old to watch.
But a lawsuit? Come on.
there are post of teacher credentials, you have to realize that substitute teaching is like working for macdonalds, you dont have to be a rocket scientist to or even a caveman to do it.
If I'm not mistaken I believe Ms. Buford made it clear: 'What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class' This 12 year old troublemaker has broken the first rule of Ms. Bufords class.
Should we really reward children who break the rules?
I am a fairly liberal mother and would normally not act so sensitive...but i agree that this teacher lacked good judgement to show an R rated movie - especially THIS one - to a group of 12 year olds. I probably wouldn't SUE over it...people are 'sue-happy' in the country now, but i would definately expect the substitue teach to be held to consequences.
yes the school were wrong but the family are clearly exploiting the situation bcause they are greedy hypocrites - apparently not rare in America (just look at the comments condoning their action). That is what is most shameful about this.
Don't get the GOP bashing on this subject.
This is a greed issue, maybe.
Yes the parents have the right to be angry and perhaps a lawsuit will force the offensive Ms. Buford to lose her job. But other than that, this move smells like a greedy lotto grab.
Any film that has implicit or explicit sex (Hetro/Homo/Self) should not be shown to any child without the parents permission.
What about a civil suit against the teacher and perhaps the Principal? Make they personally responsible. Why go after a school district that's overburdened and underfunded? Oh, wait, they have insurance. Gotcha!
Good to see they can set a value for their childs innocence at 400K. Yeah, that seems about right.
Wow.
Creepy all the way around.
P.S. Would be interesting to see if the parents have HBO or what PPV movies they've purchased in the last year. You can be sure if this thing goes forward that will comes out. Gonna be kinda tough to declare distress if Mom & Dad buy a lot 'o porn.
I remember being 12 years old and going to school. I am here to say thank god I was never subjected to a gay love story starring cowboys. At twelve years old gay, straight or any sex is for most uncomfortable and should not be addressed particularly under the disclaimer, 'What happens in Ms. Bufords class stays in Ms. Bufords class.' Kids have their whole long, responsiblity packed adult life ahead of them to form their opinions about sex. The fact every kid knows the peer pressures and implied consequences of daily life at school makes it totally understandable how that student felt trapped and compelled to remain seated in class and watch along like everyone else. I have nothing against homo's or hetro's or whatever - people are people but we all have a responsiblity to look after the children and protect there mental and physical health and teachers should not put kids in these situations. It is unreasonable to expect to encounter on the average day at grade school a screening of a sex/romance themed show other than Romeo and Juliet which is of couse minus the anal intrusion. I am sorry for that child and applaud her families bravery for speaking up and in turn helping to prevent this kind of thing from continuing. I think they should gather up those who knowingly allowed this to happen and hang em' high!
Wait a minute, why is the school getting sued? Correct me if I'm wrong but I see the substitute teacher as the main culprit along side the ignorance or lack of action by the principle. Shouldn't they both be the ones in the lawsuit alone?
I just would like to know where that sum of money from the lawsuit is going to come from. Will it come from money that fund school materials? My gosh! If that is the way it will turn out, do those grandparents and little girl have no shame?
The teacher should have showed better discretion. The film was was not appropriate for the age group in question. The teacher should be disciplined.
Adressing Gay themes and issues in general is quite appropriate and in fact necessary,in the case of 12 year olds who are about to be dealing with those issues in real life the following year.
Showing them graphic sex scenes, however, is pointless and inapropriate.
The making an official complaint is entirely fair; firing the teacher is also reasonable.
A lawsuit, however, is merely an opportunistic money grab, based on a backward and parrochial sensibility. I hope they lose.
Traumatized by a sex scene? Please - it's only sex, and it's only a movie.
lol
The only way to get a school to recognize anything like this is to file a lawsuit. Its how things are done when the school screws up. I totally agree that they should have sued for the simple fact its not the teachers place to expose them to homosexual sex let alone regular strait sex, without parents permission. As far as the movie goes, rock on hope they enjoyed it, I used to love movie day. It should have been sent home as a permission slip based thing. Where this went wrong was the principal was notified by the teacher that she wanted to show the flick, the principal should have immediately denied it, and had her send it home as a permission slip. The principal is at fault the school district should be sued and the principal should be reprimanded.
Wow some of you sure do react when a monetary figure appears. Almost like you're worried the sub will be traumatized by the experience.. And it says grandparents not parents. Skip right over that part did you?
Dear Jessica,
I saw Eddie Murphy live in concert at the Chicago Auditorium when I was 14. I remember being EXTREMELY bothered by one part where he made fun of the Honeymooners, and did an act where he was pretending they were gay and having sex. Homosexual behavior is the worst mental illness there is. The sub either has it or is just psychopathic. They made a SERIOUS mistake when they hired her. You reject homosexuality with everything you have. It's the worst problem in the world. We'll try to make sure that homosexuality is dealt with properly. Sorry you and your class had to be guinea pigs, but it wasn't intentional.
Sorry also Eddie, this is no offense to you, that would be ridiculous.
Family has every right to sue the school, sure. Get the teacher or the principal fired, but asking for MONEY!? that's just pure GREED! Where did they pull this $400,000 number from, what's how much their child is worth? Their parents do not deserve to become rich from their daughters traumatic experience. If she's really that traumatised, have her see a counselor, don't the school have one? most do. If anything, they should be suing just to get the school to pay for her counselor if she is that distressed over this, not to get some cash in hand. What a joke. Sure the school is in the wrong with this, showing such a movie to under-age students, but why the hell does everyone have to get $ signs in their eyes whenever they get a chance. Some Americans are just so damn greedy. I've not seen this movie so I cannot comment on how graphic it is, but that's besides the point, the school was in the wrong for showing an R-rated movie to minors. But heck, bring it up in the next PTA meeting, this suing for money BS is pathetic.
Homosexuality is entirely routine, and society should have progressed by now long past caring aboutit - it's simply never going to go away, and there is no point in merely trying to isolate or ostracize the 12 year olds in that class who will be forced to confront their sexuality in the coming years of their young lives, or in training their peers to do so. Kids have enough to worry about, these days.
Better to help them deal with it through frank and non-judgemental discussion and NOT 'traumatize' them by demonizing it, and making them feel like freaks. 'Freedom' starts at home. Addressing the subject itself through discussion is healthy.
Explicit sex scenes (straight or gay) are not appropriate for the 12 year old classroom (at that age, they get plenty of exposure to pornography by sneaking peaks at the magazines in Dad's lunchbox, or at the toys & manuals in Mom's drawer, or from their friend's computer).
A lawsuit over 'damages' is just a silly, selfish waste of court time and taxes. Wake up and smell the 21st century. You can't stop evolution.
Routine? Homosexuality is an evolution? Sounds more like a deterioration. Can't evolve jack squat if you can't reproduce.
Anyone showing this cuss riddled filth to my kids wouldn't have to worry about a lawsuit. No...I would do something far worse to them.
This movie is trash and who ever tried to compare it Romeo and Juliette is an idiot.
The top of this reply page says: 'please do not write in all CAPS or use expletives (including f*** etc)...'
Its not ok to cuss here but its ok for a movie with a script full of nothing but cusses to be played in front of 12 year olds? I think the people defending the showing of this movie to children are big supporters of NAMBLA and the ACLU. IOW Pedophiles.
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