MARCH 24, 1972
Letters to the Editor
I am writing this letter partly to apologize to the teachers of Maine West for the publication entitled "An Open Letter to Teachers" printed in the February 25 issue of the Westerner. I am also writing partly to defend my opinion of the poem.
The poem was published at my suggestion and was not intended as a personal insult to any teacher employed at Maine West or any other teacher for that matter.
I do agree that the poem was written from only one point of view, but then I haven't read very many poems that illustrate both the pros and cons of a subject. However, I must disagree with Mr. Ladd in saying that the poem was "badly written." I suggested that the poem be printed because, and only because, it reflected the views of one girl - no matter how undesirable or desirable her idea of education may have been. I believe that she expressed herself very well and must have made her point clear, or the poem would not have affected so many teachers the way it did. I also find no evidence of the poem being licentious.
I can understand why some teachers were so "offended," but keep in mind that the poem is only the opinion of one girl and not a general consensus. It wouldn't be very likely for teachers and students to share "one great big happy opinion" of today's educational system since both people play different roles and therefore have different views toward various aspects of their "occupations."
I disagree with the fact that the poem was a "waste of space." This it was definitely not. How could it be if so many people reacted to it the way they did? The poem obviously stirred up some thought - and that was most likely the author's purpose in writing it.
We must also keep in mind that we do not know the circumstances under which the poem was written. Perhaps the girl was hurt during her lifetime by a teacher, and the poem developed out of the experience. Both teachers and students must remain open minded to anything another person may produce as a result of different emotions - be it a poem, story, or any type of art work.
In the January 1972 issue of Today's Education, the journal of the National Education Association, "An Open Letter to Teachers" won a $500 award. Katheryn Kearney, who wrote the poem and entered the contest, is a member of the Mount Blue High School PTA chapter. The contest was judged by eight high school students from every section of the country. (Yes, by high school students!) Does this say something?
I'm glad the poem was printed because it proves that some people do take an interest in the Westerner (thank you for your comments, teachers) even if it takes something they don't exactly enjoy to catch their attention.
Mindy Malecki
I am writing in response to Mr. Ladd's letter concerning "An Open Letter to Teachers." After rereading the poem I did not understand how he came to the conclusion that the author held teachers responsible for pregnant girls. I don't think tie author meant that.
Mr. Ladd does not know what it is like for me to sit through English and learn that e e cummings is a great poet because of his unique free verse and get my next theme back with a low grade on it because my commas and semicolons did not agree with Warriner's.
I know of only one teacher who does not turn in behavior reports on students who cut his class. He said this was because he did not know whether the student had some problems that made him or her not want to come to class that day.
I never had a reason to cut his class because it was always interesting. However, it was nice to know someone would understand my problems if ever there was a need to. These are the teachers who learn how to understand their students and have meaningful classes, not the ones who take pleasure in disciplining them.
Also, my teachers complain that the classes don't discuss enough. Don't they realize that it is frustrating to go to each class all day and be expected to discuss?
I believe these are things that the author of the poem was trying to bring out. Isn't an education supposed to give a person time to experience things and try to develop interests? Why then do I spend weekend after weekend working on "reports" and "papers" that have no meaning to me? Can anyone tell me what benefit I get from a hastily thrown together paper that doesn't interest me in the first place?
I don't understand how Mr. Ladd can call anyone's work badly written. Perhaps he is guilty of what he indirectly blames the author of -generalizations that say she is right and everybody else is wrong.
I am not condemning Mr. Ladd for his opinion, but I wish he could understand mine. Thinking that the poem was aimed at all teachers is ridiculous and to me shows lack of confidence in himself and his associates.
Name Withheld By Request
Dear Editor:
In the last edition of the Westerner there appeared an article which discussed Women's Lib and how it effects the girls at Maine West.
The article told about the various rules set down for girls involving their participation in sports and also how little equipment and time is allotted to them.
I find it very ironic that on another page of the paper under G. R. A. was an item about two volleyball sportsdays that took place approximately two months before the issue date of the paper.
All the other events chronicled on the sports page were fairly recent. They were also boys sports. No doubt girls will be discriminated against on the playing field for some time to come, but I hope in the future this will not be the case in the pages of the Westerner.
Name Withheld By Request