Taylor Mali is a poet...a slam poet. He is also an outspoken advocate for educators and for literacy. He has a brilliant, incisive satirical wit. A bit like a modern day Voltaire...with rhythm. The first of his pieces I experienced was his assessment of the "agressive inarticulation" of our contemporary society and our unwillingness to commit to an idea. It is called "Like....You know".
My two favorites are below.The first is titled "What Teachers Make". It is one of the best things I have ever heard on the dignity, the honor, and the importance of the educator. The second, though marginally informative, is mostly just for fun. It is called "The The Impotence of Proofreading".
Mali uses precise, intentional, and sometimes colorful language. Be aware that both pieces contain examples of each.
*Originally posted 6 May 2008
Haha! Bob showed us one of his pieces in class last week. Great stuff...
Posted by: Tyler | 06 May 2008 at 10:29 PM
Yep. He's the one who showed them to me. So clever!
Posted by: Shelia | 06 May 2008 at 10:38 PM
Wow, I love this guy! Thanks, Shelia!
Posted by: Karissa Sorrell | 12 February 2011 at 07:40 AM
Karissa, You would really like "Undivided Attention" and "Reading Allowed" as well. Thinking about going back and adding them to the post. :)
Posted by: Shelia | 12 February 2011 at 08:03 AM
Great teachers, and Slam Poets, definitely don't get the respect they deserve. Thanks for posting this again, Shelia, since I wasn't reading your blog yet in 2008. Here's to awesome educators, in whatever form they give of themselves! :)
Posted by: Julie B | 12 February 2011 at 01:15 PM