March 9, 2012 | Arts / Entertainment

Fighting for the 'Bully'

A documentary designed to make young people consider how truly harmful bullying can be has been rated R by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America). This means no one under 17 can see Bully without an adult. It also means the documentary cannot be shown in American schools.

The reason for the rating? The use of six naughty words. An R rating is given to any movie if people swear more than once (a single nasty f-bomb is okay).

The MPAA defended its decision, saying the rating system gives parents the information they want; surveys suggest parents care deeply about strong language and want to be warned about its presence in movies.

The rating is not sitting well with supporters of the movie.

"Today, with the help of more than 200,000 people who have signed my Change.org petition, we sent a loud and clear message to the MPAA that the movie Bully shouldn't be given an R rating," said Katy Butler,a 15-year-old trying to get the rating changed. "Every day in every middle school and high school in America, students are bullied. This movie, if given a PG-13 rating, could reach those students as well as bullies themselves and help put a stop to the epidemic of school bullying in our country. The MPAA should pay attention."

Even Ellen got into the debate ...

Lesbian Student Delivers 200,000 Signatures to Protest Bully Rating [The Advocate]