Defense attorney: Dirty dancing occurs all the time at high school
Representing a DeKalb chorus teacher who allegedly allowed male students to strip in front of their classmates and engage in sexual dance moves, the defense attorney offered a startling rationale: “That is customary and usual activity at Southwest DeKalb. This is what the kids do daily, weekly, monthly at Southwest DeKalb.”
Former DeKalb chorus teacher Nathan Grigsby is on trial today for allowing the students to perform a “Chippendales style” revue in class.
Former chorus teacher Nathan Grigsby is on trial today for allowing the students to perform a “Chippendales style” revue in class.
The students removed their shirts and pants and performed lap dances and pulled female students by the ankles and then simulated sex acts, according to DeKalb Solicitor Robert James.
Grigsby is charged with five counts of contributing to the deprivation of a minor. Each count is punishable with up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine.
I’ll be curious to hear when, where and how such dancing occurs at Southwest DeKalb.
While I’ve seen teens feigning sexy dance moves in schools, I have never seen anyone dance sans pants and never with the approval of a teacher in a class. I have seen teens playing around and dancing in the cafeteria or in the parking lot, but nothing that crossed a line or warranted criminal prosecution.
We’ll have to see how defense attorney Jackie Patterson substantiates his claims that dirty dancing is a common event in the school .
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80 comments Add your comment
Ole Guy
March 30th, 2010
5:44 am
The Ole Guy is about to issue the shortest comment ever:
SLIPPERY SLOPE
******** *****
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March 30th, 2010
6:23 am
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Just Saying...
March 30th, 2010
8:31 am
I agree with Decatur Resident — why were students charged on the day of the trial when they were going to testify that his back was turned?
“The teenagers, who graduated last year, planned to testify on behalf of their former teacher, but are now reconsidering since they face criminal charges, too. The teens claimed they didn’t know they were charged until coming to court on Monday.” AJC
In my opinion he may have had to switch to an “everybody does it” defense since those who were supposed to testify on his behalf learned if they said anything they could prove the cases against themselves.
Please people, don’t mention a previous record then fail to provide a background to the incident.
Atlanta Public record:
At the end of the school day on December 15, 1995, Appellant, who was a band and music teacher at King Middle School, was collecting music from his students. As the students filed by with their music sheets, he took the music sheets and placed them into separate stacks on the floor. One of Appellant’s students ran by and kicked over the stacks of music. Appellant had previously spoken to the Student and told him to sit down. Appellant reached out and grabbed the student. In the process, Appellant’s hand grazed or struck the student in the chest. Appellant told the student to pick up the papers. A teacher and two parents witnessed the incident and did not see anything about it that raised any concerns in their minds. Appellant similarly did not think too much about the incident and did not report it to the principal. The student, and his brother, left the classroom and went to the principal ’s office to report the incident. The principal was unavailable and the students returned to the band room. They told their mother about the incident when they arrived home. The student’s mother reported the incident to the principal the next day.
Full Story
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/1996-24.pdf
Decision:
Based upon the foregoing, it is the opinion of the State Board of Education that the
Local Board denied Appellant procedural due process and the Local Board failed to carry its burden of proof to show that Appellant willfully neglected his duty. Accordingly, the Local
Board’s decision is
REVERSED.
This 12th day of September, 1996.
socialismsux
March 30th, 2010
9:32 am
This filth makes me sick. What kind of culture are the taxpayers being raped for. Close the damn school. All they are teaching is corruption and hate. It’s not like they are actually teaching anything productive.
Just Saying...
March 30th, 2010
10:06 am
TLC did not say that “Boys writhing on the floor and grabbing girls in sexually provocative ways while a teacher stands by and laughs” was normal. TLC stated that she was a student at SWD. She is asking that everyone stop commenting on an incident where the truth is not available and suggests you all spend time with your children to prevent them from doing this “horribly lewd, Chippendales strip tease.” TLC then provided her opinion on Mr. Grigsby by saying that he is the “kindest man” she has ever met. Then she stated that although they had strict rules within the classroom, he turns his head [for a moment] and the students got out of control; now if he had popped [hit] the students, this would be a different discussion. Again, she stated her opinion of Mr. Grigsby saying that he is ALWAYS smiling. She also mentioned how Mr. Grigsby vocal training helped her to obtain a theatre scholarship for the Fall.
When TLC stated that “Its a new generation and a new time.” I will infer that this generation is use to this type of behavior [desensitized], so the things you may find lewd and inappropriate are things that we see on the television everyday.
I decided to rewrite TLC’s comments because some people did not accept her use of grammar, although this is a blog and not an English paper that will be graded.
Just Saying...
March 30th, 2010
10:16 am
@say what?
“It is acceptable as long as everyone else is doing it; then when do children become leaders?”
Children become leaders when they grow and form their own opinions about what is acceptable to them and pursue their own principles instead of following the standards of another individual. Whether you like it or not, one or more of the three boys that was “writhing on the floor and grabbing girls in sexually provocative ways” was a leader because he/they decided to do this particular act of their own accord. A decision made as a leader can lead to positive or negative results. In this particular case the decision lead to a negative result. On the other end of the spectrum you have one child at Whitefield Academy who became a leader and suggested the ideal of a “Prom with a Purpose” which resulted in a positive outcome.
“When do they begin to take responsibility for actions?”
Children will take responsibility for their actions when the responsibility is placed on them. Parents blame the teachers and schools while the teachers blame the parents. All I see is one big circle. There are no consequences in the home or at school for children actions.
“What type of person do we get if they lack leadership skills?”
Depends on the type of people an individual follows. If an individual follows an upstanding member of the community, then more than likely that person will be an upstanding member of the community. However, if an individual follows a person leading a life of crime, they are usually known as the accomplice. How do you think gangs are formed? Gangs have a few leaders, but multiple followers.
“We get this teacher who is willing to sacrifice the students for his personal gain. This was a teacher who should not have been allowed a key to a room, if for 1 minute he turns away, yet he cannot hear the raucus and the whooping and hollering.”
If they were doing something called “Passed the Mic,” I seriously doubt that the noise level was any different from the beginning of the class and for the duration of the incident.
enoughexcuses
March 30th, 2010
10:16 am
Ok, I’ve heard enough EXCUSES! Being a public school teacher, that is ALL I hear from parents whenever their kid is in trouble. And for those who attend SWD or who are parents of students there, you are ridiculous. I don’t care if the man has 15 or 150 kids in the classroom (which I highly doubt any class has 150 in it…)if students have their pants off (?!?)and are simulating sexual acts, umm, what the freak are you doing to NOT notice that?! Culture or not, white or black, it doesn’t matter. A large number of parents today are sorry individuals, take no responsibility for their lack of parenting skills, and are raising complete fools that we must all deal with eventually. And for the record, “everybody” is not smoking weed, having oral in the hallways, or sex wherever they can sneak it. Just the trashy kids (has nothing to do with money or color) whose parents are their “friends” or their babysitters. We don’t need decency laws, we need required parenting classes for some of these fools. Ugh. So fed up with idiots.
enoughexcuses
March 30th, 2010
10:17 am
Oh, and socialismsux, you’re an idiot too. They come from all sides…
Amazing!!
March 30th, 2010
11:05 am
It is amazing to see all of these students and adults taking up for Mr. Grigsby after he just through the entire school and its reputation under the bus!!! “This happens all the time at SWD.” As an alumni of SWD, I am all for him being fired….prosecuted is a bit much. Those students needed punishment as well!!
RJ
March 30th, 2010
11:14 am
The idea by the few posters that this is a part of “their culture” is just stupid. This is acceptable in AMERICAN culture! I have worked with students of many races and I can tell you that ALL OF THEM push the envelope with their dancing. They ALL are having sex, all meaning races. Stop making this about race. What is worse, black kids dancing dirty or white kids traumatizing a student so bad that she commits suicide?! It’s all wrong and we need to do more to help our kids. But understand that our kids have become desensitized to violence and sex. It’s a part of their culture. I’ll admit that we did a few things in my time (80’s and 90’s) but what is going on today is insane. Rather than pointing fingers why not get out and do something to help.
Amazing!!
March 30th, 2010
11:27 am
It is easy for people to say that we should blame the parents, but society will ALWAYS blame the teachers. The teachers are held responsible for EVERYTHING that children do. Obvioulsy these children were not being watched and did what they wanted to do. The teacher was not teaching or looking after the children which is required of a teacher. Do teachers want to be called babysitters?? NO!!! But that is what public education has become: public daycare for K-12. Teachers want to give their students a free day, but still need to make sure that the students are being productive. These students were obviously not being productive and this is what happened in the process. It is not a black thing, white thing, north thing, or south thing. It is a responsibility issue and the children nor the adult were being responsible. Since the ADULT is the one that is in charge, he needs to face his punishment and stop trying to throw the school and those children under the bus.
Proud Black Man
March 30th, 2010
11:40 am
“What is worse, black kids dancing dirty or white kids traumatizing a student so bad that she commits suicide?!”
Funny how the white right doesn’t want to own up to their historical record of violence in the blog about the young ladies suicide but are quick to try to tell black folks about their short comings. An impartial look through the history books reveal who is really the most blood thirsty violent race.
csquared
March 30th, 2010
11:45 am
to listen to some of these posters here, it would seem that you harken for the “good ole days” when the schools were segregated. I don’t know this man and would like to give him the benefit of the doubt. I do know that students will do what they want to and as at least one poster has said, your disciplining them gets you in a completely different set up circumstances. As for those that would say it’s just a “south” dekalb problem or a “cultural” thing, your racist opinion is just that, your opinion. My daughter is a student at SWD and she’d like to join the dance team. We’re aware of the past issues with dancing and ignorant behaviour and will be watching to see that they’re addressed. But to scorn these students while ignoring problems in YOUR own community–teenage alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy, etc- strikes me as most hypocritcal. Remember Matthew 7:5- Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
PBM is a TROLL
March 30th, 2010
12:48 pm
Seriously, PBM,
Your thinly veiled instigations are getting a little annoying.
I Have Some Sense
March 30th, 2010
2:31 pm
This type of “dancing” is nothing but ghetto bevavior.
Former Chorus Parent
March 30th, 2010
2:32 pm
To enoughexcuses:
I whole-heartedly agree with you that those parents who run to their children’s defense at the time they get in trouble should have probably done a little more disciplining and nurturing to those kids in their formative years. As for the size of the classes, during regular school hours, each period had in excess of 40 to 50 students. When they practiced after school with the Inspirational Voices, there were 125 to 200 students at any practice. I am well aware of this fact because I kept many of the records for the Inspirational Voices when my daughter was a part of the chorus.
Once again, the main issues need to be addressed here. The issues of parents not doing a better job of raising their children and teaching them self-respect, moral decency, and self-control are the main concerns here. The principle of GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out) is proven here. I am not bashing all of these children because I knew some of them from working with the boosters club, and the vast majority of the children were very respectful to the adults whenever they were around us at practice, on field trips, or on trips out of the state. But there were those few who chose not to behave in a manner that exemplified having been taught self-respect or respect for adults.
I am sure that these children did not leave home that day and were influenced to take their clothes off, dance provocatively, and giggle and think it was funny because of the influence they received under Mr. Grigsby’s tutelage. Rather, I think that they just had not been taught to behave more respectfully from the start, which is their home.
If we are going to lay blame, let’s lay it upon the doorstep to which it belongs…
Proud Black Man
March 30th, 2010
4:13 pm
@ PBM is a TROLL
The truth hurts don’t it?
Panda8
March 30th, 2010
4:16 pm
What made the kids do it is rather irrelevant. The prosecutors aren’t even claiming that he told them to do it. He provided music. He’s in the video laughing at it. Obviously he saw it. You cannot ignore criminal acts (and groping fellow classmates would certainly qualify) in a classroom and expect it to just be okay, regardless of how often it does or does not happen otherwise.
It’s a rather poor argument, but considering the video, I’m not sure he has a better one.
SuperRidiculous
March 30th, 2010
5:02 pm
First and foremost, I am in no way related to this incident, school, or county. But the comments on this story have compelled me to speak my peace.
You people are RIDICULOUS. Stop and take a second to read back over all of the posts–leaving out personal opinions. Some of you adults sound like children….arguing over race, culture, schools, spelling, and grammar, etc. Bottom line, there is an issue that needs to be taken care of. Bottom line, if the issue doesn’t involve you, get off of this blog and make sure you are doing all that you can to teach your child how he or she should act. If you are not personally involved in this situation, then you have no right to make assumptions or accusations. I agree that there are things happening in public schools that shouldn’t be. I am also aware enough to realize that it IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE. Not just one school. Not just public school. So quit pointing fingers.
One student stands up for herself, and despite grammatical errors, makes some pretty good points. But as adults you are childish enough to shoot her down. Something is wrong with that picture.
SuperRidiculous
March 30th, 2010
5:09 pm
In addition, I am not, in any way, saying that what happened was okay. What I am saying, is that as adults, you ALL should know that until you are in the situation you really have no way of fully understanding every aspect. There is no possible way for you to point blame to all parents or all teachers for what happened. Teachers fail, parents fail. Teachers succeed, parents succeed. But don’t go placing blame on one category. It is fairly tough to be a teacher and just as tough to be a parent. Just because you are experienced in one title, doesn’t mean you are an expert on the rest of the world.
TLC
March 30th, 2010
11:40 pm
Thank you just saying.
@DB please get over yourself. Or better yet is your ego that big that you can’t allow in the truth. I scored 34 on the English section of the ACT, and my ability to write is not in question here. now if you are that distracted by misspelling and grammar, then you are clearly more disconnected with the kids than thought, and have no reason to be on this blog. When is the last time you sat in a high school classroom for an hour and a half as a student? So how can you tell me, a student, Mr. Grigsby student what the norm is?
The main point, His Goods outweigh this one bad anyday!
and no i will not be taking remedial english and will be double majoring, you don’t know me, and your judging me, which further proves my point that you are quick to judge, I’m also Nationally qualified debater please come back with another ridiculously egotistical response and judge me
Jack
March 31st, 2010
2:30 am
I remember working at SWD several years ago ( assisting with security/police) when i was in the cafeteria during lunch period I saw several females student wearing revealing (thongs) and tight clothing I asked a member of the staff what do they say to the student that are wearing this type of clothing, I was told not to say anything to them because of the females student will complain on you by saying and I quote ” WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT MY BUTT” I was even shocked to hear that students have been caught having oral sex under the stairwell out of view of the camera and getting caught, but some male teacher wouldn’t report it out of fear of getting themselves in trouble… I said WTF
I blame some of the parents for allowing there kids to leave home wearing these types of clothing, i understand that kids leave home dressed a certain way, but when they get to school they may change. If my daughters are seen dressing this way, i would want the school to call me.
With so many Teacher being accused of having inappropriate contact with students i now see why the male teachers at SWD was afraid to report those students that were caught having sex and dressing inappropriate out of fear of losing there jobs
I Have Some Sense
March 31st, 2010
6:23 am
TLC–I wouldn’t be so sure about not taking the remedial English class yet. Seems your ability to write is in question.
drew (former teacher)
March 31st, 2010
6:28 am
Straight from the AJC…
Grigsby on the stand:
“It is ridiculous for me to be fired for one minute and eight seconds, 68 seconds that I wasn’t even paying attention to.”
That’s the problem…you weren’t paying attention. I know at times that teachers can become distracted and miss some things that go on in their classroom, but boys dancing ’round in they draws, with their shirts off, simulating sex and grabbing at screaming girls…I would think/hope a teacher might take notice of it.
But then, the article continues…”Grigsby said he had headphones on while he was helping the student and did not hear the screaming girls or the sexual lyrics.”
OH…that explains it…yeah, I always like to wear headphones when I’m teaching too! HA! I don’t know what’s worse…the teacher’s lack of classroom management, or the pathetic excuses he’s offering on the witness stand.
That said, this matter doesn’t belong in court. The students and teacher should have been dealt with appropriately…discipline for the students involved, and some classroom management training for our oblivious, headphone wearing teacher.
Ole Guy
March 31st, 2010
10:08 am
Black Man, for once, I’m afraid we’re in agreement. However, I am still trying to understand your point(s).
Quite true, down through history, the white man has been neither kind nor tolerant. Witch hunts at Salem, Nazis atrocities in the death camps of WW II Europe, and more recently, civil unrest in 60s Birmingham, Watts, and DC…all support your observations that the white man has not been a good boy. Now, Black Man, with all (due) respect, I ask you…WHAT’S YOUR POINT? What does all this have to do with the topic du jour? Do you somehow seek reparations for all the nasty deeds comitted by the white man? How far back should we go in acknowledging, to your racially-motivated sense of hate and entitlement, that the white man, historically, has proven to be full of poo poo? In order to ease your sense imbalance on the scales of racial misbehavior, consider this as official acknowledgement…owning up, if you will…that the white race has historically been been blood thirsty and violent. Now, once again, I ask…no, I implore…SO WHAT! What, exactly, does this recitation of “owning up” to historical misdeeds have to do with the topic at hand? Are you suggesting that, because the “white man” has no place to speak of inappropriate behavior, than the behaviors of topic discussion should be ignored?
Black Man, I’m sure you have much to contribute to this and many other topics of community concern, however, you seem intent on adding a racial component to all your thoughts. As an educated man, perhaps you should try to modulate your comments to the topics at hand.
This story details yet another means by which we, our legislative leaders, have imobilized the exercise of common sense. The pc gods, in their infinite wisdom, will (if not already have) destroy any and all efforts to educate kids. When a teacher cannot approach a student in order to make “on-the-spot corrections” out of fear that the student might accuse the teacher of being a dirty ole man, the pc gods win…WE LOSE.
Proud Black Man
March 31st, 2010
11:14 am
@ Ole Guy
I seek neither reparations or admission of guilt from you or your ilk. I believe in calling it as I SEE IT. Surely with all the observations made here by different posters why concentrate on mine? Shouldn’t you worry about the white right, Perdue et al, who are preparing to throw public education in Georgia under the bus rather then an anonymous blogger?
Sad Times
March 31st, 2010
5:06 pm
It’s really sad to think that this dancing is okay. I am a young African-American male who thinks Mr. Grigsby was not only wrong but created an environment that was under NO control. If my daughter was in a room and the teacher let a young man grab her and feel on her body, he would have to go to jail. This man is dirt! His defense attorney gives black people a bad name. They should leave Georgia!
Former Chorus Parent
March 31st, 2010
8:14 pm
He was found NOT GUILTY, and acquitted of all charges. Thank God that there are some jurors who still let common sense prevail. I wish Mr. Grigsby and his family the best in their endeavors as they move forward from this abusive fiasco. I hope that he gets his job back, with back pay. The County was wrong for firing him over this incident.
SWD Student
April 2nd, 2010
8:04 pm
Ignorance. I love how all of you adults can have such strong opinions of a case you don’t really know, students you’ve never met, parents who were absent, and a man who has done NOTHING wrong. Ignorance is simply not knowing, and not to be disrespectful, but most of you who have commented are just that. Ignorance is okay, because no one knows everything. And I am not ignorant of the face that I don’t know everything. The problem comes when you voice your ignorance.
Firstly, NONE of the parents who commented on this article really know what your children do out of your presence. I find it offending that anyone can judge the guardians of the children involved. Even if your transgression was not as serious, or did not have serious consequences, I can bet ALL of you have at least once disobeyed your parent(s). I agree the video was not at all appropriate, but who are any of you to judge anyone involved. The students will probably never do anything like that again, and have learned their lessons. None of you know Mr. Grigsby, and everyone is America is suppose to be innocent until proven guilty, but it seems to me that most of you are ignorant of that as well.
-SWD Student
woman companionship
June 14th, 2010
10:32 am
Pretty cool article to read it in my opinion. The only question I have, why don’t you place that article to social bookmarks? That can bring rather big traffic to this domain.