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Teacher suspended for showing class Macklemore's 'Same Love'
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Teacher suspended for showing class Macklemore's 'Same Love'Posted:

SpuddyTV
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A North Carolina middle school teacher was suspended for three days for showing students the rap video "Same Love," Macklemore's song promoting equal rights for gays.

"The issue in this matter was one of whether the video was curriculum-based, educationally-related, and age-appropriate for a class of prepubescent 13-year-olds," Alexander County school board attorney Joel Harbinson told CNN on Thursday.

The seven-minute video includes a kiss between two men at a wedding altar and ends with an elderly gay couple holding hands in a hospital room.

"The right-wing conservatives think that it's a decision and you can be cured with some treatment and religion, man-made rewiring of a predisposition," Macklemore raps.

The school board lawyer would not identify the teacher, describe the class subject or give details about the disciplinary action taken.

"The administration and the teacher reached an understanding based solely on these factors that was mutually agreeable to all parties," Harbinson said. "We look forward to the teacher being a valuable member of our school system for years to come as we continue our commitment to provide the best possible education to all of our students as well as to treat each of them with compassion and understanding."

The incident occurred last week and the teacher is back on the job at West Alexander Middle School, Harbinson told CNN.

Macklemore, who did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment this week, did publish a response last November when a Michigan middle school teacher was suspended for the same offense. That suspension was lifted after a protest by the American Civil Liberties Union.

"This level of intolerance and fear is still very active in America, but at times is not completely visible," Macklemore wrote on his website. "This incident is just one of tens of thousands that have happened across the country where schools have exposed a latent homophobia, preventing safe space for all young people to feel confident in being themselves."

He said he wrote the song "not with the expectation that it would cure homophobia and lead to marriage equality across the US (although that'd be awesome). It was written with the hope that it would facilitate dialogue and through those conversations understanding and empathy would emerge."

"Same Love" won the 2013 MTV Video Music Award for best hip-hop video with a social message last month.




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#2. Posted:
-Ben-
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Getting suspended for that? That's ridiculous!
There is nothing bad about homosexuality in the slightest and if anything the curriculum should support it just as it would with same sex marriage!
I don't think that's fair. So much for aiming for a more equal society.
#3. Posted:
SpuddyTV
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-Ben- wrote Getting suspended for that? That's ridiculous!
There is nothing bad about homosexuality in the slightest and if anything the curriculum should support it just as it would with same sex marriage!
I don't think that's fair. So much for aiming for a more equal society.
I completely agree with you Ben.
Children that age need to know about it in my opinion.
#4. Posted:
Damsel
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Just when I thought people couldn't get any more intolerant of gay people and this is completely disgusting. As soon as they can provide a valid reason why me and my Girlfriend can't be with each other then I will be happier in the world. But no. They refuse to give a proper reason :|
#5. Posted:
Jeeves
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I guarantee this wouldn't be a problem if it was a straight couple kissing or holding hands in a music video.
In fact, I know it wouldn't, because we had videos played that involved it when I was at school and none of the teachers got suspended.
I bet this was because a homophobic parent made a complaint.
#6. Posted:
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Why can't they suspend teachers that don't do their job rather than one who does.
#7. Posted:
Daw
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I agree with Moby.

One of my teachers showed us the video and no one had a problem with it. I actually love that song and I don't understand why anyone would have a problem with it. Complete ignorance.



#8. Posted:
dunder
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Let's face it, there are way better ways to discuss homosexuality in a classroom, than this.
#9. Posted:
KatsumiChan
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This will always be the case as America does not want to "change."


It will be a while before Congress passes Homosexual Rights. (Gay is a term meaning happy. We need to stop saying it.)

I hope it will happen soon.

Who do a bunch of old men and woman making 1million+ a year + benefits think they are? It's not their life, stop messing with it.
#10. Posted:
dunder
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Fluttershyy wrote This will always be the case as America does not want to "change."


It will be a while before Congress passes Homosexual Rights. (Gay is a term meaning happy. We need to stop saying it.)

I hope it will happen soon.

Who do a bunch of old men and woman making 1million+ a year + benefits think they are? It's not their life, stop messing with it.


Then why does the LGBT community use the word "gay", to represent themselves?
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