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Again with the lawsuits. Twelve-year-old Jessica Turner and her grandparents are suing the Chicago Board of Education for the "psychological distress" that Jessica suffered when Brokeback Mountain was shown in her class at school — $500,000 worth of distress, to be exact.
(For those living under a rock for the past couple of years, the movie features a tortured, secret homosexual romance between two cowboys out on the range and their relationship through the years.)
Apparently a substitute teacher, one "Ms. Buford," made the decision to show the film to an 8th grade class without parental permission. Turner claims that she was so distraught over the film that she had to seek psychiatric help and counseling. Her grandparents (who, in 2005, complained to the school about reading material containing curse words) are outraged that the movie was shown; they are angry that Turner was exposed to the film, stating that it is against their faith.
So many issues, so little time. First and foremost, who in their right mind would show an R-rated film to a classroom full of children that aren't of legal age to see such films in the first place and without parental permission? No one could be that obtuse, could they?
Even as an adult with a pretty damn open mind, we were taken aback at the scene in the tent involving the first awkward, forceful love scene between our two cowboys. It had nothing to do with the sexual orientation of the people involved, it was just the raw, animalistic portrayal of the encounter that got our attention. We can't even imagine how that scene would go over with a room full of pre-teens.
Obviously, if a parent feels that their under-age child is mature enough to see a certain R-rated film, they are legally entitled to let them do so. Or, if kids want to take it upon themselves to sneak into a movie or steal one from their parents' collection, we say go right ahead (face it, we've all done it). And while we fully support some cowboy-on-cowboy lovin', a substitute teacher taking this liberty is absolutely preposterous. Our collective mind is blown.
Image via Daniel Brown.
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If the plaintiffs had been as vigilant about raising their child as they are about what goes on in the schools, they would now be simply grandparents instead of guardians and probably not needing to fish for undeserved riches.
Another interesting tidbit from this is that Ms. Buford subsequently refused to attend a meeting with the principal and the parents, saying that she would only do so with her union representative present.
I want to sue the film makers of Brokeback Mountain for the 2 hours of my life I can never get back!
It didn't offend me, it was just boring!
Except for the scenes with the lamb be carried on the horse & Anne Hathaway's tits, small but nice.
Not shocking, teachers and professors today have taking the role of being radical activists...they want to cram their opinions down their students throats in any way possible, I've noticed they especially like to do it in ways that are against established norms.
It seems like there's always someone who feels that just because he pays taxes, he has the right to pass judgment on other people and the way they run their households, eh, taxpayer?
And there's always someone who wants to blame all members of a group for the transgressions of a few.
Absolutely perfectly said Taxpayer, especially the "undeserved riches" segment.
Was it a foolish decision for the teacher to show a film, especially one with controversial themes, without the consent of the children's parents? Absolutely, no argument there. But there is NO JUSTIFICATION WHATSOEVER to release ANY sum of money to these greedy, opportunistic losers.
Ferdy, maybe YOU can pay the 500 grand...
I wonder if the eighth-grade class will be peforming the stage version of this movie anytime soon? Save me a seat and pass the popcorn...
if i were a substitute teacher, i'd show the little bastards 'mantis in lace'. that'll get their attention. i kid, i kid.
Maybe if people were more willing to pony up taxpayer money for education--starting with putting an end to the TIF district thefts--we'd get some qualified teachers who'd know better than to show a film like this to middle-school kids.
@Tony
I'm not that surprised, either. I've had plenty of teachers try to push their radical views on me throughout my high school education. I've always been slightly amused by it. Once we had a substitute teacher tell us in 10th grade that EVERYONE should try acid at least once (advice I didn't take.)
While showing a rated-R movie to 14 year-olds is poor judgment, the idea that it would be "psychologically damaging" is even more absurd. What rock do they keep this girl under, and how much longer to they realistically expect to do so?
Sorry to break it to you. There are gay people.
@Unindicted Co-conspirator:
Word on the Hathaway rack, though.
I'm offended by Unindicted Co-conspirator's comments about Anne Hathaway's tits. They are NOT small. I would like to sue you for this defamation. Can I have your address?
In 6th grade, I was exposed to the radical heterosexual propaganda film titled "Total Recall" by my teacher who'd long since run out of ideas on how to avoid reading her curriculum. Wonder what the statute of limitation is....
(and, no, I'm not kidding. Fuck you, Ms. Ruben-Martin, I'm still scarred by that flick)