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babylonsister

(172,603 posts) Sun Jan 18, 2015, 07:14 PM Jan 2015

Alabama school superintendent bans high school history club from seeing ‘Selma’ [View all]

Alabama school superintendent bans high school history club from seeing ‘Selma’
Tom Boggioni
18 Jan 2015 at 17:53 ET

A school trip to the see the historical civil rights drama ‘Selma‘ by a high school history club has been cancelled by the school superintendent over concerns over language, reports WAFF.

DeKalb County school superintendent Hugh Taylor cancelled the outing by students at the predominately minority school, saying he was concerned about obscene language and “racial profanity” in the Oscar-nominated film.

An African-American parent of one senior in the history club who had planned on seeing the film questioned the superintendent’s motives.

“It raises my curiosity as to whether something that they are not wanting exposed or the children not to know about.” said Reverend James Stanton. “I don’t believe it is just about the profanity.”

Stanton, who was 20 in 1965, explained that he lived through the era and was warned to stay away out of safety concerns.

“They did not want me to come down and visit because of the violence and the racial problems that they were having at the time.” said Stanton.

According to Taylor, he is concerned about what would happen if a child was offended by the film and wanted to leave the theater, saying he didn’t think teachers should have to be put in the position of playing parent.

Taylor was elected DeKalb County school superintendent in 2013 despite concerns that he sends his won four children to a private Christian academy.

Watch the video below from WAFF @ link~

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/01/alabama-school-superintendent-bans-high-school-history-club-from-seeing-selma/

83 replies

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Alabama school superintendent bans high school history club from seeing ‘Selma’ [View all] babylonsister Jan 2015 OP

Yes, and he's white, of course. Laffy Kat Jan 2015 #1

Who sends his own kids to private schools. That's some real in-your-face KingCharlemagne Jan 2015 #23

Most of the administrators of the public schools in my hometown bigwillq Jan 2015 #64

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2015 #53

Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. lpbk2713 Jan 2015 #2

That's 75 years from 1950. dixiegrrrrl Jan 2015 #19

And sometimes they learn and repeat it anyway. n/t jtuck004 Jan 2015 #58

They'll say anything, won't they? gratuitous Jan 2015 #3

Exactly. nt babylonsister Jan 2015 #4

Ridiculous oberliner Jan 2015 #5

That's the way it's normally done throughout the land. The supe is a moron. nt Hekate Jan 2015 #75

"...he didn’t think teachers should have to be put in the position of playing parent..." Iggo Jan 2015 #6

You're so right. WinstonSmith4740 Jan 2015 #74

Obscene language and "racial profanity" PumpkinAle Jan 2015 #7

Dumbs*it. Rhinodawg Jan 2015 #8

And in DC, at MD border, elleng Jan 2015 #9

The youth group from my church went to see "Selma" this afternoon. kwassa Jan 2015 #10

it is pg-13 d_r Jan 2015 #11

Of course he did.. it would make me want to see it more though. Can we say Backfire on this Cha Jan 2015 #12

This is going to backfire on the sup. roody Jan 2015 #13

Something smells... SoapBox Jan 2015 #14

Of course he sends his school to a private "Christian academy" DemocraticWing Jan 2015 #15

He runs the county school system, which is over 90% white up there. dixiegrrrrl Jan 2015 #21

^ BlancheSplanchnik Jan 2015 #40

+100%. And love the sig line. freshwest Jan 2015 #42

I would hope that the students would be offended avebury Jan 2015 #16

"concerns over language" marmar Jan 2015 #17

I don't mind this administrative decision. Kids and families can go on their own time. WinkyDink Jan 2015 #18

class history heaven05 Jan 2015 #70

It's not exactly a documentary. Meh. I've always been more fond of history books. Movies tend to WinkyDink Jan 2015 #76

No it's not a documentary heaven05 Jan 2015 #78

His actions are more damning than the movie. olegramps Jan 2015 #20

^ THIS ^ mac56 Jan 2015 #30

So what would happen if they just went anyway... ananda Jan 2015 #22

teacher gets fired librechik Jan 2015 #24

Bible Belt JohnnyRingo Jan 2015 #25

In response, teachers should show.... Feron Jan 2015 #26

Terrific series shenmue Jan 2015 #28

Language concerns my Aunt Fanny. 3catwoman3 Jan 2015 #27

Could one man be that stupid--or was it a committee decision? Demeter Jan 2015 #29

I would Recommend Django Unchained as a Prequel. - NT freedomrock1970 Jan 2015 #31

buffoon. nt Javaman Jan 2015 #32

Gee. Local movie house let in high school and middle school students for free... Octafish Jan 2015 #33

But I am sure they're perfectly fine with another club going to see American Sniper. Initech Jan 2015 #34

Actually, this is a pretty damn dumb comment. WinkyDink Jan 2015 #77

Why? Was the sarcasm tag missing? Initech Jan 2015 #79

Stupidium mixed with bigotuminum hifiguy Jan 2015 #35

I can see where a school wouldn't want a 13 or 14 year old to see it glasshouses Jan 2015 #36

Why? It's rated PG-13. sinkingfeeling Jan 2015 #60

If it was a documentary that was accurate I could see your point glasshouses Jan 2015 #65

Racism and bigotry heaven05 Jan 2015 #71

Local 4PM Anchors in OKC support Superintendent's Decision. avebury Jan 2015 #37

This film is NOT historically accurate. Indydem Jan 2015 #48

You mean white people do not look good in this movie? Mass Jan 2015 #38

I disagree with your post joeglow3 Jan 2015 #63

Look, the people in the south have been snatching pages Stellar Jan 2015 #39

I'm pretty sure HS students hear far worse language in the hallways FLPanhandle Jan 2015 #41

..concerned about obscene language and “racial profanity” blkmusclmachine Jan 2015 #43

I hope they also watch "The Butler" online or on TV. appalachiablue Jan 2015 #44

This is about Bartlet Jan 2015 #45

the ultimate concern troll, eom whereisjustice Jan 2015 #46

That will make them want it see it more. U4ikLefty Jan 2015 #47

The kids will see the movie anyway online free bigdarryl Jan 2015 #49

So much for free speech malaise Jan 2015 #50

Agree on selectivity, but the merrily Jan 2015 #52

Nothing to do with free speech oberliner Jan 2015 #55

I was not living in Boston (or maybe even living) when "Banned in Boston" was something merrily Jan 2015 #51

The agenda could not be more clear. n/t Jefferson23 Jan 2015 #54

Curious to know if he has nixed other proposed movie field trips oberliner Jan 2015 #56

The south just can't give it up. Vinca Jan 2015 #57

Sounds exactly like an Alabama education to me. Don't need no history. sinkingfeeling Jan 2015 #59

It is a PG-13 movie and these are seniors? Jamastiene Jan 2015 #61

I kind of get it from the school-lawsuit-hysteria perspective treestar Jan 2015 #62

Wouldn't want the truth to get out to the young, innocent racists of tomorrow. Hulk Jan 2015 #66

It might be time for Movie Night at the local church. Scruffy Rumbler Jan 2015 #67

He didn't ban them from seeing any film. Why do you think he banned them? TheManInTheMac Jan 2015 #68

"Ban" seems a little overdramatic.. Chakaconcarne Jan 2015 #83

went to link heaven05 Jan 2015 #69

they still don't get it ecstatic Jan 2015 #72

If the theater had a clue they would offer the whole class free admission on a weekend. n/t jtuck004 Jan 2015 #73

does this clueless twit think HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS have never heard swearing before? niyad Jan 2015 #80

I give you hugh taylor: niyad Jan 2015 #81

Sounds like it would be a nice trip for the history club. DawgHouse Jan 2015 #82