Well. THAT Didn’t Go Very Well
Anti-Bullying Speaker Curses Christian Teens
As many as 100 high school students walked out of a national journalism conference after an anti-bullying speaker began cursing, attacked the Bible and reportedly called those who refused to listen to his rant “pansy asses.”
The speaker was Dan Savage, founder of the “It Gets Better” project, an anti-bullying campaign that has reached more than 40 million viewers with contributors ranging from President Obama to Hollywood stars. Savage also writes a sex advice column called “Savage Love.”
Savage, and his husband, were also guests at the White House for President Obama’s 2011 LGBT Pride Month reception. He was also invited to a White House anti-bullying conference.
Savage was supposed to be delivering a speech about anti-bullying at the National High School Journalism Conference sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. But it turned into an episode of Christian-bashing.
Alrighty, then. According to Todd Starnes’ report, Mr. Savage got downright…sauvage addressing the youngsters, some of whom, UNDERSTANDABLY, took umbrage at his worldly view of things. Good for them, they left!
The mealy-mouthed reaction from the sponsors of the forum was inexcusable.
…The executive director of the National Scholastic Press Association provided Fox News with joint statement from the Journalism Education Association that was sent to members – after a number of people complained about Savage’s remarks.
“We appreciate the level of thoughtfulness and deliberation regarding Dan Savage’s keynote address,” the NSPA wrote. “some audience members who felt hurt by his words and tone decided to leave in the middle of his speech, and to this, we want to make our point very clear:
While as a journalist it’s important to be able to listen to speech that offends you, these students and advisers had simply reached their tolerance level for what they were willing to hear.”
The NSPA said they did not have a prior transcript of Savage’s speech and that wish “he had stayed more on target for the audience of teen journalists.” They also said it provided a “teachable moment” for students.
As for Savage’s attack on people of faith?
“While some of his earlier comments were so strongly worded that they shook some of our audience members, it is never the intent of JEA or NSPA to let students get hurt during their time at our conventions,” they wrote.
However, not once did the NSPA or the JEA offer any apologies to the students or faculty advisors or anyone else in attendance.
Um…HI YA! As SPONSORS of an event geared to a specific D.E.M.O.G.R.A.P.H.I.C., it’s YOUR responsibility, NOT the attendees…let me repeat that…NOT THE ATTENDEES, to make sure that YOUR speakers meet all of the parameters that you have set for the scope of YOUR event. If it’s an “anti-bullying” talk at a journalism conference that’s OPEN TO ALL, then YOU are responsible for the content being appropriate FOR ALL.
Also it should actually have something to do with STOPPING bullying. Somewhere in there.
And while it was never the “intent of the JEA or NSPA to let students get hurt“, none the less, YOU DID hurt them. Like bullies.
Ouchy.
Humanity...or the Lack Thereof, Morality | tree hugging sister | 
April 27, 2012 11:49 pm
Subscribe
That’s really sad, because the recent “It Gets Better” video produced by BYU is one of the most moving PSAs I’ve ever seen. (Seriously, THS, I’m not a crier but it had me in tears by the end.)
Hypocrisy on display. Courtesy of the lefties. How UNcharming.
Accredited victims can never be bullies, only victims. That’s how the left/liberal/progressives ignore or excuse the vilest behaviour.
“They also said it provided a “teachable moment” for students.”
Sure. The students learned that homosexuals are foul mouthed, uncouth, wackjob pigs to be avoided.
Nice salesmanship Danny boy. Stupid mook.
Savage is a vile human being who considers anyone that does not believe everything he spews to be a homophobic racist/bigot. He needs his ass kicked. To better showcase his vileness just look up what he has “santorum” defined as.
Adults who are brought in to speak to teens should keep their own problems out of it. Savage has issues with religion. OK, fine. He had no business using this teen journalism conference as a platform for his personal hobbyhorse.
“Teachable moment” sounds like when Pee-Wee Herman says, “I meant to do that” after he messes up.
Outrageous. I’m glad some in the audience didn’t sit there and take it.