It’s a somber weekend, for obvious reasons, but there’s a lot going on in the poetry world, and I’m here to give it to you.
Derek Wolcott’s past rears its ugly head in the race for the Oxford professorship of poetry, as well as to the offices of Cherwell, a student newspaper. Poets know how to throw elbows too.
One of the more prominent university presses–Louisiana State University Press–is in danger from state budget cuts.
Congratulations to the winners of the 21st Annual Triangle Awards, which honor the best in LGBT fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
And finally, Wislawa Symborska’s advice to one poet: “Let’s take the wings off and try writing on foot, shall we?”
5 responses
I’d heard about these accusations against Walcott before, but this is the first I’ve had a look at the exchange that got him fired (reproduced on the site linked to in this post). Setting aside that this is the accuser’s version of events, and so it’s dicey to even call it a “transcript,” the so-called harassment seems pretty tame.
Anyway, this Oxford post is about poetry, not character. And any poet who wrote Omeros — my own vote for the greatest epic poem in English of the 20th century — surely deserves the post on that work alone.
“this Oxford post is about poetry, not character.”
Nonsense. Academic posts are about education, which involves, um, *interacting with people*, in which case, don’t you think it’s kind of important that people in those positions not be perpetrators of anti-social behavior (putting it nicely, giving him as much benefit of the doubt as I can)?
I have to assume that there’s far more to the accusers’ stories than is being reproduced in that article, since the first resulted in a reprimand and the second in the settlement of a lawsuit, so I’d be careful about treating the accusations lightly, especially since the first happened in a time when sexual harassment claims were relatively new. And I can’t go along with the notion that character shouldn’t play a part either. It doesn’t have to be a deciding factor, but this is a public position and I think the people voting on it should at least take that into consideration. I don’t know if it would be enough to sway my vote on the matter, were I to have a vote, but I would certainly have it weigh on my decision.
Points taken, but let’s remember that this isn’t your typical teaching post. The poets chosen give three lectures a year, the substance of which is often published as a book. Intimate student instruction isn’t part of the deal. Seamus Heaney’s wonderful essay collection “The Redress of Poetry” is an example of what can follow. Sure, Walcott could just go ahead and write his essays without the post, but so could’ve Heaney. In practical terms I think the visibility and unusual expectations of this post can drive a mature poet into invaluable reflections on his/her craft. And what better time for Walcott to undertake this than now? Omeros was his high mark, and his poetry since then, though still stamped with his style, has the feeling of an epilogue. Why not hear him lecture instead?
Also, as to the fact that the 2nd accusation resulted in a settlement, my position is: case settled. We do not know the details, because that’s what a settlement is about. It is possible, and maybe probable, that these allegations carry merit. It is also possible that the 2nd lawsuit was brought by an opportunistic student who recognized that an instructor with a reprimand in his HR file is an easy mark. That people will be more likely to take her side than his, or at least grant -her- the benefit of the doubt.
Remember, I’m not making any claim either way. I’m just saying -we don’t know-. So let’s stop speculating.
How can I send you some poetry, you great big wonderful guy?
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