As many of you know, in addition to our twins, David also has a 17 year old daughter who is a Jr. in high school. I just received an email from the parent leaders of the Junior class announcing a movie night sponsored by the Jr. class officers. The movie shown will be "Blades of Glory". I have a real problem with this movie selection and might voice my unhappiness to the parent leaders and the principal. I'm curious if other folks on the Blogspot share my concern or if you think I'm being too sensitive. I think most of my displeasure can be summed up by a few quotes from an article I read regarding the movie:
- I saw the film at a crowded preview screening, and the biggest laugh came at Chazz’s face curling into disgust when he finds himself holding Jimmy’s crotch during a lift. The guy sitting behind me whooped, “Oooh, that ain’t right!” I don’t think the rest of the audience was laughing at gay anxiety, but rather because of it.
- Blades of Glory has a one-laugh premise: real men (read: straight men) don’t skate like girls – and they especially don’t skate together. Like many contemporary comedies, Blades of Glory can’t resist the allure of the homophobic gag.
I should add that our daughter's high school does have a diversity week and does promote homophobia as unacceptable. I must give them credit because my high school never promoted diversity, particularly around anything "gay". Yet, I still find this movie selection to be at odds with the diversity message.
What do y'all think? Am I being too sensitive?
(submitted by Kendall)
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2 comments:
I agree that you should have a talk with the school. My guess is that the movie was decided by the students themselves.
I wonder if it's an opportunity though to have a conversation about the movie and its homophobia with the students? Perhaps, if there is one, the GSA or OFC even could provide a facilitator for after the movie?
Boy, Kendall, that is a touchy dilemma! I think I would take the opportunity to talk with the parent leaders or principal or the Jr Class officers (or all), if you haven't already done so, if for no other reason than to open up dialogue and increase sensitivity. Is there a GSA at the school? If so, maybe they could be involved and if not, maybe there should be. :) Also, what is David's daughters take on the whole thing--and on your concerns? Maybe if there is a GSA, their taking it up after talking with you might be less problematic if your daughter is embarrassed, for example, but my guess is there probably isn't one there. In any event, good luck! Let us know what you decide to do, if anything, as I'd be curious how it went.
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