[New-Poetry] Frost Medal fallout

[Suzanne Burns]

Troubled by Mr. Louis-Dreyfus's tone, Ms. Alexander, Mr. Campo and Ms.
Salter wrote their own responses. When Mr. Louis-Dreyfus subsequently
accused them of McCarthyism and reactionary behavior, they resigned from the
board.

Wow.  If Louis-Dreyfus really believes that it is "McCarthyism" for people
to express dissent or make choices (e.g., resigning) based upon conscience
we really do live in a warped world. Since when is anyone entitled to have
everyone else mousy-up and keep silent?

I'm also disturbed by the contention that Hollander's comments are
"extra-poetic" and irrelevant-- as if poetry exists in some discreet little
region untouched by human experience, culture, politics, etc.

Madonn', as my grandmother would say.


Suzanne



On 9/29/07, JforJames at aol.com <JforJames at aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/books/27poet.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin
> Poetry Prize Sets Off Resignations at Society
>
> By MOTOKO RICH
> Published: September 27, 2007
> The cloistered community of American poetry has, in recent months, become
> a little less like Yeats's Land of Faery, where nobody gets old and bitter
> of tongue, and a little more like Allen Ginsberg's "Howl."
>
> The board of the 97-year-old Poetry Society of America, whose members have
> included many of the most august names in verse, has been rocked by a string
> of resignations and accusations of McCarthyism, conservatism and simple bad
> management.
>
> The recent turmoil was driven, partly, by fierce discussion among board
> members
>
>
>
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