A student brought a poem to his advanced placement English class. The teacher read it out loud. The teacher was forced to resign. If I had to sum up what happened in a school in Connecticut, these three lines would be it. As a teacher and a poet, I am trying to put the events in order and I am still trying.
David Olio respected the student’s right to choose- a poem. The student hoped that there would be discussion on it in the class. Mr Olio decided to read the poem, despite its controversial content. Because that’s what a teacher does- open up minds and hearts. This act of a broad-minded, award-winning teacher cost him his job and put on the line, his close to two decades’ teaching career. The poet is Allen Ginsberg. The poem, Please Master.
It is an explicit description of a homosexual experience the poet had. The poem and the teacher have created controversy. On the one hand, there is talk of academic freedom and being able to expand thought processes. A teacher who cannot handle ‘tough’ topics, shouldn't teach, if you ask me. On the other hand, is the young age of the students and their own emotional makeup. Forget the fact that youngsters know way more today than previous generations can even imagine. There is ‘inappropriateness’ in the poem that has discomfited many people. In fact, a young student decided to sit out a test the next day, because the poem prevented concentration. That’s a great excuse, sorry, reason, for missing a test.
Inappropriate- That’s a word that’s been used to describe Allen Ginsberg quite a bit. But you can’t even begin to talk of Beat poetry without paying homage to him. His iconic poem, Howl has long been considered revolutionary. This is a poem that needs to read, read out loud, performed and experienced for its raw, angry power. But as much as this poem has been talked about, the poet is more than just Howl.
I am speaking of Kaddish. The word, which denotes the traditional Hebrew prayer, is often considered to be his best work. It is stylistically similar to Howl, but its tone is mellow. The lengthy, long-line poem is a moving and unflinching tribute to his mother, Naomi. “Farewell…/ with your eyes of shock/with your eyes of lobotomy/with your eyes of divorce/with your eyes of stroke/with your eyes alone/with your eyes/with your eyes/with your Death full of Flowers,” he says in one part of the poem.
I have said it before- honesty in any kind of writing has a peculiar effect. It creates marvel, and ironically, mystery. In poetry, it has a whopping impact.
Today, I choose to speak of Allen Ginsberg in the broader context, in the light of how teachers are treated all over the world. We want teachers to do the best for our children and yet we value them so little. Forget academic freedom and the opportunity to create good, value-oriented minds, on your own terms. Teachers are often mired in politics and ego clashes. And are often burdened with outdated and irrelevant material. I do see the other side too. So many people get into teaching as a last resort. Many others find a way to make money out of the process. What inspiration might we expect from them then? Add to the mix, parents who don’t parent and students with a sense of entitlementand you have a great recipe for uninteresting teachers and uninterested learners.And yet, so many educators work and struggle and try each day. They are inspired and are inspiring.
Students attend their class and are forever changed, enthused to do more and be more. Why then, should teachers be persecuted for doing what they should do- teach?
(Allen Ginsberg was born on 3 June, 1926.)
