Hannah+Copeskey-+Bullied-+a+student,+a+school,+and+a+case+that+made+history



In this movie, Bullied: a student, a school, and a case that made history was about a man named Jamie Nabozny and the discrimination he faced while growing up in Ashland, Wisconsin. When Jamie was younger, he came out to his family around the age of 7 about being a homosexual. The family was there for him, especially through the hardships he faced soon after. Throughout his time going to Ashland middle and high school, Jamie had been severely bullied and harassed by his school mates. He actually never came out and told anyone at school he was gay. However, they assumed or caught on to the fact that Jamie was gay. Once they started to think or believe he was gay, these kids harassed Jamie first verbally which then turned physically. The beatings only got worse as he grew up. Around the age of 12-13, Jamie tried to commit suicide by taking a large dose of pills. He hoped that if he wouldn’t wake up. Then, he had a change of heart and realized he didn’t want to die yet. He woke up his mom, told her what he did, and she rushed him to the hospital to get his stomach pumped. He remained in a mental facility until high school rolled around. Once high school started in Ashland, Jamie and his family hoped that times would be different. Sadly, the bullying only got worse. By the end of his freshman year, Jamie ran away to Minneapolis. His parents were soon behind him, desperate to find their young son. Once in Minneapolis, Jamie went to a care center for teens. His parents called this center, and were hoping Jamie was there. Once they reached the center, the Nabozny family reunited in an emotional eruption. He told his parents that he cannot go back to Ashland, for he felt his life was in danger. His parents promised him they’d find him an alternative way to get his education as long as he came home. Rather than worry about his own life, Jamie went back home with his parents because he couldn’t bare to see his mother so hurt and upset. Once back, the bullying started back up immediately. He was knocked in the back of the knees while going to the bathroom, and his face fell into the urinal. Afterwards, one of the kids who was picking on him urinating on Jamie. Another time while Jamie was hiding (as well as taking alternate routes around school, being there early and late to avoid harassment, and even eating in a teacher’s classroom for lunch), a group of kids found him and wanted him to fight them. Jamie refused. The kids threatened that if he didn’t fight them, then they would pummel him. Jamie went back to his books. The kids kicked his books out of his hand. When Jamie reached for his books, the group started kicking and beating Jamie repeatedly. Right before leaving, one of the kids told this to Jamie: If you tell anyone that I did this to you, I’ll kill you. His injuries were so bad, Jamie actually needed surgery. This event made Jamie run away for the second time. He told his parents that he either stays in Minneapolis and has a good, safe education there or they will not see him until he is 18. This is for his own safety. When talking to a counselor in Minneapolis, he spilled out everything that happened to him. She recommended that he go in and do a lawsuit against his school for not protecting him, for discriminating him because of his sexual orientation, and letting him to be able to receive a safe education. Throughout the trial, there were confessions by one of the bullies on what he as well as his group did to Jamie. His mom and the mother of the bully testified to a board meeting with the principal. The both stated that the principal didn’t do anything to stop the bullying as well as the rest of the administration, never punished the bullies, and said that if Jamie was going to be openly gay like he is, then he should expect this behavior and bullying to happen to him. Once the jury came to a verdict, they let Jamie and his attorney know. In the end, Jamie won and the administration of Ashland High School were guilty of discrimination. He won over $900,000. Jamie is promoting speaking up against bullying nationwide, going school to school to try and stop bullying.

In my own classroom, I would make sure bullying would be stopped immediately. There is no way I would let any child or adolescent be bullied if I am there to stop it. I would put an end to it immediately and report the incident. I couldn’t believe what Jamie and his family had to go through. I was angered at what the principal as well as the vice principal said. I just cannot understand how someone could be so ignorant, so heartless to not put a stop to this behavior. Gay, straight, black or white, no one deserves to be treated this way. Every teen, child, and adult out there deserves better than this. All should feel as if they are equals, in a safe learning environment, and know it’s ok to talk to someone in the school in order to stop any discrimination or problems they face.

I would use this DVD in my classroom with high school students. It wouldn’t be appropriate for elementary kids. They need to feel safe and understand that in my classroom that no kid would have to go through this. I would be there for them as well as make their learning atmosphere a safe place. I recommend everyone to watch this film. It’s something necessary for everyone to understand, to spot, and put a stop to discrimination no matter the situation.