Post Discussion

Reply from Bonnie on September 11, 2009

The following excerpt is taken from Mr. Kozol’s book entitled DEATH AT AN EARLY AGE:

“Of all the poems of Langston Hughes that we read, the one the children liked the best was a poem entitled “Ballad of the Landlord.”…At the request of the children, I mimeographed some copies of that poem, and although nobody in the classroom was asked to do this, several of the children took it home and memorized it on their own. I did not assign it for memory, because I do not think that memorizing a poem has any special value. Some of the children just came in and asked if they could recite it. Before long, almost every child in the room had asked to have a turn.”

The Ballad Of The Landlord

Landlord, landlord,
My roof has sprung a leak.
Don’t you ‘member I told you about it
Way last week?

Landlord, landlord,
These steps is broken down.
When you come up yourself
It’s a wonder you don’t fall down.

Ten Bucks you say I owe you?
Ten Bucks you say is due?
Well, that’s Ten Bucks more’n I’l pay you
Till you fix this house up new.

What? You gonna get eviction orders?
You gonna cut off my heat?
You gonna take my furniture and
Throw it in the street?

Um-huh! You talking high and mighty.
Talk on-till you get through.
You ain’t gonna be able to say a word
If I land my fist on you.

Police! Police!
Come and get this man!
He’s trying to ruin the government
And overturn the land!

Copper’s whistle!
Patrol bell!
Arrest.
Precinct Station.
Iron cell.
Headlines in press:
MAN THREATENS LANDLORD
TENANT HELD NO BAIL
JUDGE GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL!

From THE LANGSTON HUGHES READER, p. 101, © 1957.

Reply from Gloria on September 11, 2009

So you also taught school and gave your children poetry!

I love Langston Hughes poetry, and I love this poem of stark reality you give here, but I was beholden even back then to give poetry that was sure to raise the children above their present lives and to uplift their spirits. Many of my children dealt too much with the reality of their everyday world.

I also want to say that when a teacher believes in what she’s giving her children, that makes all the difference in the world on how the children absorb it. So right for you to use, and not for me.

Tomorrow I will tell more about inspiration and how it relates to Jonathan Kozol’s interview. Please understand I don’t mean to start a debate here.

Reply from Bonnie on September 11, 2009

I WROTE:

The following excerpt is taken from Mr. Kozol’s book entitled DEATH AT AN EARLY AGE:

THEN…followed the quotation of MR. KOZOLS narrative. It was in quotation marks. It was what Jonathan Kozol himself had written in his book!!

As a matter of fact according to his narrative, the entity firing him had exactly your sentiments, Gloria: that what was presented to the children should be inspirational. He disagreed with those sentiments. So it would be to Jonathan Kozel himself you are addressing your response.

Personally, it sounded sort of like Rap Lyrics to me, and volatile.

I am not involved in academics as a career, but some of my favorite friends and neighbors are high-profile educators. They are VERY admirable and just like you, dedicated to their students.