Posted on 05/13/2007 1:10:45 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Substitute Teacher Sued for Showing 'Brokeback Mountain' in Class
Sunday , May 13, 2007
AP
CHICAGO A girl and her grandparents have sued the Chicago Board of Education, alleging that a substitute teacher showed the R-rated film "Brokeback Mountain" in class.
The lawsuit claims that Jessica Turner, 12, suffered psychological distress after viewing the movie in her 8th grade class at Ashburn Community Elementary School last year.
The film, which won three Oscars, depicts two cowboys who conceal their homosexual affair.
Turner and her grandparents, Kenneth and LaVerne Richardson, are seeking around $500,000 in damages.
"It is very important to me that my children not be exposed to this," said Kenneth Richardson, Turner's guardian. "The teacher knew she was not supposed to do this."
According to the lawsuit filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, the video was shown without permission from the students' parents and guardians.
The lawsuit also names Ashburn Principal Jewel Diaz and a substitute teacher, referred to as "Ms. Buford."
The substitute asked a student to shut the classroom door at the West Side school, saying: "What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class," according to the lawsuit.
Richardson said his granddaughter was traumatized by the movie and had to undergo psychological treatment and counseling.
In 2005, Richardson complained to school administrators about reading material that he said included curse words.
"This was the last straw," he said. "I feel the lawsuit was necessary because of the warning I had already given them on the literature they were giving out to children to read. I told them it was against our faith."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I did not see the film so I can not speak of the content. I did hear however that the tent scene was quite an eye opener.
yeah, yeah, I know....shut up and go away......
I'd like to see NAMBLA sue to require the showing of the movie so the district can choose which suit to defend against.
How would you feel about suing, if it were a Catholic priest showing this film to 12yos?
I’m just sayin.
The entire class would collect millions for that kind of abuse.
My sister was livid when she found out one of her high school daughters was shown the movie "Glory" as a reward for the class being quiet and cooperative during a previous lesson.
"It's an R-Rated movie!", she shrieked.
I explained to her that it was a movie about black soldiers in the Civil War and the R rating was for the violence, which you are bound to encounter in a war movie. Otherwise, there was nothing objectionable about it.
You make a good point that, technically, the school shouldn't be a proper venue for films that have been rated as to recommend children under 17 not view it. However, I don't always agree with the ratings movies receive and "Glory" was one such movie. I've found myself far more offended by any number of PG and PG-13 movies than this particular R feature.
I agree with sub driver these idiots who call themselves educators should lose thier jobs. Not only did they show an R rated movie which could upset some parents they showed a a movie of a relationship of 2 homosexual men in a class room that is funded by taxpayers, me and you! How dare you spit on our faces. Just what were you trying to achieve by showing this movie to children, is thier any educational value but the shock value? Demand thier resignation now!
Actually, there is a school version of Glory that is G rated. I know, I’ve sat through it several times. It’s been edited for schools to cut out the gore and focus on the development of characters. Seems like the teacher should have looked into options before going to Blockbuster
There are age appropriate lessons for all subjects.
This is the socialization that all of those backward homeschoolers are missing out on.....
This was the last straw,” he said. “I feel the lawsuit was necessary because of the warning I had already given them on the literature they were giving out to children to read. I told them it was against our faith.”
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
If their faith is islam, they will win the suit with out going to trial. If they are Christians, the board will fight the suit in court and win.
Ping!
For all I know, the teacher did just that. All I had was my sister’s version of events.
If the teacher was trying to do what I think was the purpose, it sounds like he hit the target squarely. How better to illustrate the consequences of indescriminate sex to a bunch of horny boys? Quite the attention-getter, no?
True, it could be more effective than just handing out condoms.
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