Summary
Alan and Jonathan work very hard together stacking boxes. When they are finished, they congratulate each other with a slap on the back and a soda. When they go to the bathroom, Jonathan touches Alan in a sexual manner. Alan warns him to stop and Jonathan does not stop. Alan gets frightened and angry and pushes Jonathan's hand away. Alan quickly leaves the men's room and tells the workshop supervisor what happened.
- View "...And More Boxes"
...And More Boxes" (Script)
- Teacher calling on Alan.
Alan, do you have a story to share about your Green Far Away Hug Circle?
- Teacher and Alan picking out photos.
Why don’t you tell us about your friend Jonathan?
- Alan pointing to his picture in the purple circle.
I am Alan. I am the center of all my circles.
- Alan pointing to Jonathan's picture.
I decide who will be close to me.
- Jonathan in the Green Far Away Hug Circle
I decided Jonathan is in my Green Far Away Hug Circle. It feels comfortable for me and it feels comfortable for Jonathan.
- Alan and Jonathan wheeling boxes
We work together unloading boxes
- Alan and Jonathan unloading boxes
and more boxes.
- Jonathan giving Alan a one arm far away hug.
"Phew*..we're finally finished.
- Jonathan giving Alan a far away hug while they are drinking.
Jonathan gives me a faraway hug.
- Alan and Jonathan urinating
After the job, we went to the bathroom…
- Jonathan putting his hand on Alan's behind.
and Jonathan touched my private parts.
- Alan pushing Jonathan's hand away.
I pushed his hand away
- Alan doing a two-handed stop gesture (with Stop Logo).
I didn't like that at all. I needed to protect myself. I said, "STOP"!
- Alan getting away.
And I left!
- Alan's graph with an arrow from Jonathan to
Jonathan tried to change our circles relationship and I did not want to. Jonathan did not remember that closeness needs to Feel comparable to both of us at the same time.
- Alan telling his supervisor.
I told my safe person, Mrs. Gerard. She is my workshop supervisor. She told me I did the right thing. She was not angry with me. She told me it wasn't my fault.
- Alan relieved.
I felt much better.
- Alan and his supervisor (with the Safe Person Logo).
Mrs. Gerard is my safe person. Who is your safe person?
- OPTIONAL STOPPING POINT.
- Replay the story without sound. Guide the students to recreate the story in their own words. During this discussion be sure to point out that:
- For young men, a pat on the back ("he-man" hug) demonstrates the green far away hug.
- Both young men see the end of the job as a special occasion; closeness is mutual.
- Sometimes saying "stop" in a calm voice is not enough to get a person to stop.
- When you need to protect yourself, a loud voice and immediate action are necessary.
- Alan got away and told his safe person because Jonathan did not stop immediately and because sexual parts were involved.
- Roleplay the green roleplay activities for use with the Circles graph.
- Have your class practice a calm "stop" and a very loud/protective, "STOP."
- You may choose to further discuss the issues of same-sex physical contact.
- Replay the story with sound.