Posted on 05/18/2006 12:28:59 PM PDT by DBeers
CANNONSBURG, Ky. -- An English teacher at an eastern Kentucky school hampered by division over gay issues showed a short snippet of "Brokeback Mountain" to her students in a class.
About 2 1/2 minutes of the film was shown last week in a senior cinematography class at Boyd County High School, Superintendent Howard K. Osborne said Thursday.
The brief showing of the film, which centers on the sexual relationship between two male sheepherders, upset at least one parent who had a student in the class. Nothing with sexual content was shown.
Osborne said "Brokeback Mountain" won't be shown again at the school. He declined to say if any action was taken against the teacher who showed the film.
"We've had an investigative inquiry and we've taken appropriate action," Osborne said. He declined to comment further, calling it a "personnel matter."
Osborne said there have been few complaints from parents over the showing of the film, which has been noted by critics for its rich photography. Director Ang Lee won the Oscar this year for best director.
Students in Boyd County have been divided in recent years over gay issues since a group of students petitioned to form a gay awareness club at the high school in 2002. A lawsuit ensued and the school district later settled. The agreement called for anti-harassment training for all staff and students.
Kelley Smith said she was upset the film was shown at all.
"This is a really bad time for all this to have happened," said Smith, whose 17-year-old son, Chris, was in the class. "If she wanted to show it in class she should have gotten parents permission and if some students wanted to see it, it should have been their choice."
From KY... Home of KY Jelly
Osborne said there have been few complaints from parents over the showing of the film, which has been noted by critics for its rich photography. Director Ang Lee won the Oscar this year for best director.
CUT! PRINT! GAY!
This is why we homeschool.
Exactly. The reporter failed to do his job by not giving more details. What was the topic they were studying? What was shown? Why was it shown? Was there another film, without the controversy, that could have been used? Why this particular film? Did the teacher, knowing the film's controversy, consult the principal before hand and if so was if approved, or if the principal wasn't consulted then why not?
I do not know. I can assume based upon experience with the MSM that when such details are "ommited" they usually do not serve the purpose of the reporters agenda...
I would also like to know what specific 2 1/2 minute segment was shown. I have not seen the movie, but I suppose its possible that there is a 2 1/2 minute stint that is cinemagraphically fantatstic but has nothing to do with homosexuality.
Another big problem
Well it does say that 'nothing with sexual content was shown.'
"a group of students petitioned to form a gay awareness club"
Was there anyone out there who was not aware of gays? This needed a club?
"I can't stop teaching you!"
Well, the Discovery Channel has rich photography, so somehow I don't think that was it.
I agree 100%. If the teacher had shown any questionable scenes, or any scenes the reporter thought people would find shocking, you can be sure they would be detailed in the article.
It seems each day brings news of our disintegrating culture! I was very fortunate in knowing the person who heads our town's main supermarket and prevailed upon him to remove "Brokeback Mountain" from the movie rental shelves. It is a real war these days!
"What was in the clip that was actually shown? A sunset to demonstrate cinematography?"
Even if it was, it manipulatets the kids in to wanting to see more of that particular movie. I'm sure that if the focus was on sunsets in cinematography there are other sunsets in other movies which would've served the purpose.
Home schooling kids and taking away the per-student stipend to schools is a good way to drive change.
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