Don't Say Gay PSA -- made by an 8th grader

[leigh.bess.toad]

This PSA telling everyone who uses the phrase "that's so gay" to "knock it off" was made by the 8th grade in the clip for a school project. He got his little brother to play the small kid. For an 8th grader, I think this is great. Some people are offended by the "violence" in the ad, but then I remember Joe Namath being slapped to sell Brut and no one got upset.

 

What do you think?

 

 

[video=youtube;nP8_ytsTdYQ]

[seeker630]

Funny - and the little kid is great!

[Sparky12]

Um, that was violence, not just "violence". I think it doesn't help the message at all. What, people who feel this way are crazed enough to smack someone who fell?

[wayout]

Unfortunately the positive aspect of the message, don't say "that's so gay", is diminished significantly (perhaps even neutralized) by the negative aspect of physical assault/aggression. I'm not offended by it but I do feel what otherwise would have been a very good video is unfortunately seriously discounted as a result of the slapping.

[Sparky12]

I think the slaps were supposed to be an attempt to introduce a comedic element. A poor attempt. Would have been better if the slapping kid explained more clearly just what's wrong with using the word gay in that context.

[+ purplekow]

If you watch carefully, the small child does not even come close to actually striking the other child. Watching it the first time, I did not think of this as anything more than an obvious theatrical slap and as such I don't think the message is diminished. I think a slap to the back of the head might have had the same effect without the potential for alienating those who see the slap as violent.

[seeker630]

If you watch carefully, the small child does not even come close to actually striking the other child. Watching it the first time, I did not think of this as anything more than an obvious theatrical slap and as such I don't think the message is diminished. I think a slap to the back of the head might have had the same effect without the potential for alienating those who see the slap as violent.

 

I thought it was an obvious theatrical - almost comic book - slap as well, but it's obvious from other comments here that it does bother some people and distract from the message. But the closing title. 'Knock it off' also gives it away.

 

(And PK, I think you're right - a back of the head slap, ala NCIS would have been less distracting.)

[leigh.bess.toad]

You have to remember this was done by an 8th grader. With his brother. I'm surprised the little kid didn't take license to haul off and smack his brother but good -- all for art's sake of course. Because we know brothers NEVER fight in real life, do they?

[Dave]

guys! guys! it was made by an eighth grader.

 

if one of my sons made this when he was in 8th grade, i would've been so fukkin' proud. yeah, the violence is there, and for the record i do not condone any form of violence - but put it in perspective. a 13 year old, american, male created this - damn if that didn't take guts.

 

i mean, this comes from a young teen living in a country whose military uses drones, and whose hottest video games amongst teenage boys include Halo Reach and Call of Duty/Black Ops? a theatrical slap? i can think of a hundred things to be more upset about than this.

[Dave]

You have to remember this was done by an 8th grader. With his brother. I'm surprised the little kid didn't take license to haul off and smack his brother but good -- all for art's sake of course. Because we know brothers NEVER fight in real life, do they?

 

jinx! we said the same thing at the same time

[orbital sander]

don't mess with that little kid...

[Sparky12]

Yes if this was made by kids, it's a great testament to their feelings on the subject. Obviously the smacks were fake. I just didn't like bringing violence into it instead of reason. Thanks for posting it Leigh!

[Guest Merlin]

Actually, it is a reflection of what he is being taught in school. Part of the problem with out education system is that an inordinate share of the available time is spend indoctrinating the kids into politically correct thought. Minorities are good, whites are bad. American history is all about bad people. Immigration is good, people who resist are bad. Employees good, employers bad; people good, profits unimportant; environmentalists good, corporations bad yadda, yadda, yadda.

Of course, they should encourage tolerance, but when 8th graders focus on political correctness, actual education must and is suffering.

[dane michaels]

I watched this a couple times laughing. I do agree that it is quite the comical slap with some killer sound affects (which really got me laughing) I think that the message is great from a kid, at that age to put something out like this says quite a bit about him. I guess if you sit there and focus on the slap then I guess you could complain, but I do agree it's clearly overly exaggerated for the purpose of the main issue. The fact that its a young kid (his little brother) I think sets it to be a serious tone on the gay issue with some well put together comic relief. I for one, would have still laughed my ass off if it was a back-handed slap, or even stilettos being thrown at him.. LOL I say great job fellas!!!