Film Club: ‘The Stonewall You Know Is a Myth. And That’s O.K.’ - The New York Times

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What is the significance of the Stonewall uprising? Why are the events of that historic night still the subject of great debate?

“Who threw the first brick at Stonewall?” has become a rallying cry, a cliche and a queer inside joke on the internet — never mind the fact that it’s not clear whether bricks were ever thrown during the uprising at all.Shane O'Neill

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Note to teachers: This film includes profanity. As with all our films, please preview it to make sure it is appropriate for your students.

On June 28, 1969, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, turned into a protest that galvanized the modern gay rights movement. Yet, many of the facts of that night are still being debated: Who threw the first brick? Or was it a cobblestone or a rock? Was the atmosphere on the street fun and festive, or grave and violent? Were patrons grieving the death of Judy Garland?

“The Stonewall You Know Is a Myth. And That’s O.K.” is a 10-minute film that explores the meaning and the myths surrounding the night, and features interviews with participants in the uprising, historians of L.G.B.T.Q. history and contemporary queer activists.

As you watch, consider: What is the significance of the Stonewall uprising? Why are the events of that historic night still up for interpretation? What does the film tell us about history, memory and the need to tell one’s own story?

Students

1. Watch the short film above. While you watch, you might take notes using our Film Club Double-Entry Journal (PDF) to help you remember specific moments.

2. After watching, think about these questions:

• What moments in this film stood out for you? Why?

• Were there any surprises? Anything that challenged what you know — or thought you knew?

• What messages, emotions or ideas will you take away from this film? Why?

• What questions do you still have?

• What connections can you make between this film and your own life or experience? Why? Does this film remind you of anything else you’ve read or seen? If so, how and why?

3. An additional challenge | Respond to the essential question at the top of this post: What is the significance of the Stonewall uprising? Why are the events of that historic night still the subject of great debate?

4. Next, join the conversation by clicking on the comment button and posting in the box that opens on the right. (Students 13 and older are invited to comment, although teachers of younger students are welcome to post what their students have to say.)

5. After you have posted, try reading back to see what others have said, then respond to someone else by posting another comment. Use the “Reply” button or the @ symbol to address that student directly.

6. To learn more, read “Who Threw the First Brick at Stonewall? Let’s Argue About It.” Shane O’Neill, the filmmaker, writes:

To coincide with the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, I made a video, “Who Threw the First Brick at Stonewall?” Spoiler alert: No one knows for sure who threw it, or even if a literal brick was thrown. But I wanted to try to find out why the first brick had remained such a popular myth.

Those of you who don’t spend hours online gossiping and arguing over RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants might not know how pervasive first brick memes have become in certain queer internet communities.

They fall into three categories: earnest attempts to honor giants in the L.G.B.T.Q. movement (“Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick at Stonewall”), tongue-in-cheek diva worship (“Madonna threw the first brick at Stonewall”) and satirical takedowns of straight celebrities who overplay their hand trying to be queer allies (“Nick Jonas threw the first brick at Stonewall”).

I love the silly first brick memes — my favorite to date being that Mario Kart Toadette threw the first brick — but the sincere ones that credited Sylvia Rivera or Marsha P. Johnson with inciting the Stonewall uprising gave me pause. The impact of Ms. Rivera and Ms. Johnson on the trans and gay movements can’t be overstated, but it doesn’t take much digging to learn that they didn’t start the Stonewall rebellion.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the internet can spread misinformation, but why had this particular fantasy of Stonewall taken on such importance in the queer imagination?

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Want More Film Club?

• See all the films in this series.

• Read our list of practical teaching ideas, along with responses from students and teachers, for how you can use these documentaries in the classroom.

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