Higher Education? - A Poem
Ideological conformity
Academic conditioning
The open-minded youth
Needing guidance
Offensive viewpoints
Critical appraisal
Questions
Challenges
They’ve renamed them
Hate Speech
The Constitution you say?
Not in the classroom
Censorship
Speech codes
Don’t offend
Or be unorthodox
You’ll be silenced
Then shamed
Rounded up like cattle
Driven away
Ridiculed
In the name of Education
Or indoctrination
Who holds the power?
Not a student one
Reasoning won’t overcome
Passions and paychecks
Funding from someone
Materialism, sexism, feminism
Darwinism, and rationalism
Social studies
Political Correctness
Talking, talking, shouting
No voice but their own
The echoes forever haunting
Once hallowed halls
Where matriculation
Meant challenging the norm
Opinions without bias
Worthwhile learning
No topic taboo
No theory settled
No ridicule
Intellectual gain
Without repercussion
Minds molded
Leaders, Scientists, Teachers
Doctors, Journalists
Philosophers and Poets
Comments
Education has indeed changed, hasn't it. And in spite of the complaints of "common core" or other academic methodologies, the biggest change may be in our institutions of higher learning. They are not what they used to be.
What you have put into verse demonstrates a lot of what is wrong. Nice work.
RJ nice poem. My real thoughts on higher education are it should never come cheap in the US. Hard work and a proper higher education always win in the end. This liberal PC world today on many college campus' makes it seem that everything comes for free.
Most creative poetry. Thanks for the education.
An interesting take on Higher Education today. Much food for thought here. Good poem.
An interesting, challenging and thought-provoking one, Bro. How times have changed!
Our students are being brainwashed by professors who despise the Constitution and free speech, unless they are the ones speaking. Your poem perfectly describes the state of education today.
If one wants to do well in our society, they must be inclusive, believe in equality, tolerance and especially love. Times have changed. No longer just working hard and saving your money will guarantee success. Thought provoking piece of poetry.
Is it possible that all ideas are conformist RJ? Since 'non-conformity' from Liberal or Conservative schools conform to certain conventions. Sometimes the same, and some times disparate. Still, I think you're on to something. Thank you for this poem sir. The old collegiate systems were meant to make gentlemen. Today, I do not surmise they do.
Best of wishes towards your poetry,
-E.G.A.
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