Well, we're nearly through the weeds here. While I've seen a lot of songs here that encourage responsible behavior, I think the ones that will be more interesting historically are the ones that run contrary to that narrative. Here's one (well, really a poem) I came across re-posted on Facebook today. No comments on the opinions shared, but I think it's an interesting poem that captures the feelings of some people during this period of turmoil -- Covid et al. When I sit down to read a book, Some idjit says to me, “Oppressor, check your privilege — We’ll decide what you can see!” And if I dare to contravene Or decline to heed his quarantine, Some philistine on Twitter sternly says, “That literature’s obscene! “You must do as we dictate, “And we shall de-platform that hate!” Now, what can I say About the news today? Under pressure from the mob A gaggle of millionaires — Dr. Seuss’s own literary heirs! — Are nixing six books — they are pressing “Delete.” And we’ll never again stroll down Mulberry Street. That’s nothing new to us: Just go ask Mark Twain How the story of Huck Finn Got flushed down the drain. “Art should break rules!” So they used to say. But the fools’ new command Is that art must obey. Conformism’s victory is almost complete So you’ll never again visit Mulberry Street. The great and the small fry, From Steinbeck to Weiss Are pushed into the margins Their words put on ice. Harper Lee, Whitman, Rushdie, and Golding — Faced with complaints, the school boards are folding. Freedom of speech has nary a booster: Not at The Atlantic nor Simon & Schuster. The New York Times will bellow and bleat, And the silence will echo down Mulberry Street. No, this won’t do, this won’t do at all — This won’t do, these minds so small! If they see just one word that they deem indiscreet They’ll melt into puddles on old Mulberry Street. Hold on a minute! Has it come to that? Yertle the Turtle? The Cat in the Hat? The Whos down in Whoville — All samizdat? Informers informing, keep your eyes on your feet: The Secret Police patrol Mulberry Street. Must we be doomed to litigate The past, which did not anticipate The present? Must it be our sorry fate To comically self-flagellate? We live and we learn And our attitudes change. Every day is a new day — But isn’t it strange That people who sell books Should have the conceit To put up a roadblock on Mulberry Street? The hucksters and hypocrites Are quick to join forces And report any wrongthink To Human Resources. I know what I know . . . and this isn’t right. Amazon plots In the dark of the night And gone is a book That won’t see the light. But wouldn’t it be grand If they cared half as much About books as their brand? Oh, but who needs all that reading when there’s Netflix to binge? The Star-Belly Sneetches now have their revenge. An intelligent book Deserves someone to read it. A book that starts fights? We desperately need it. An unpopular view? The campus should hear it. But both teachers and students Are afraid to go near it. They cling to their wubbies And bury their faces. Away with you ninnies — Back to your safe spaces! Go back to TikTok or stay home and tweet. You don’t deserve to see Mulberry Street. ??
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