Allen Ginsburg influenced a generation of poets. Ginsburg opened the
way for obscenities with his now infamous “Howl”. Pushing the limits
of “free expression,” having become the object of an obscenity
trial, it became legal to express profanity in print.
Profanities were expletives meant to
be deleted. From the beginning of the use of profanity the vulgar
colloquialisms were meant to shock and insult. Then as profanity
crept into ones vocabulary it would cry out upon a misdirection of
the hammer. Today vulgarity is used by poets to awe their
like-minded audiences but it alienates much of our modern society.
Allan Ginsburg’s influence has given
the younger generation legitimacy to their cursing. Although
believed to be free expression, its use fails to express much more
than, just, profanity. Many of our youth seem unable to express a
thought without some use of vulgarity. Ginsburg has done much
disservice to our youth. Rather than remain as a craftsman of
language he inflamed social decency. Although the popularity of
profanity permeates the entertainment industry it still has not
penetrated into the official workings of the corporate board rooms.
When a person uses profanity on a habitual basis it becomes
difficult to suppress the expletives when in more proper
surroundings. A job applicant who allows profanity during an
interview will place himself a step or two below another of equal
qualifications.
Greatness has been lost in the new
“free expression” of profanity. Although the vulgarity of
colloquialism has become popular among the poet communities of the
large cities it has subjugated itself to obscurity among the greater
society. Ginsburg’s Howl became famous because of the controversy,
just as “Filthy Words” of 1973 with its controversy and judgment by
the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) boosted comedian George
Carlin’s career. The general public has shrugged off poetry leaving
it mostly to those who write poetry.
The use of profanity in poetry is an
easier approach rather than the use of more creative expression. It
is even in one’s subconscious to suppress profanity when writing a
serious piece for a wider audience. Walking down our city streets
profanity is heard on every corner. Profanity is the “dumbing” down
of creative expression.
(c) 7-25-08 – Roger W Hancock
