Saturday, April 21, 2018
Allen Ginzberg
Allen Ginsberg was an "American poet, philosopher, and writer" who had strong views in the Beat Generation of the 1950's. Ginsberg opposed militarism, economic materialism and sexual repression. He wrote the poem "Howl" which was about heterosexual and homosexual sex which were both crimes in every state in the U.S. at this time in 1957. This poem explained his relationships with other men and his partner, Peter Orlovsky. This poem became very popular and widespread leading to it becoming seized by San Francisco police and US customs. The Judge ruled the poem to be inoffensive. Ginsberg also took part in non-violent political protests against the Vietnam War, War on Drugs, and many other acts. Ginsberg then gained the National Arts Club gold medal and many other accomplishments. His views lead him to become a leader in what he believed in.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I had never made the connection before between the Beat Generation and Allen Ginsberg even though this retrospectively make sense. Also, I did not know both "heterosexual and homosexual sex... were both crimes... in the US" during his writing of "Howl;" very interesting. Continuing, I had no idea he was talking about his partner in the poem, I never got that out of it thank you. I think I also I understand the counterculture better now by imagining the corrupted, crazed wastelands of "Howl" as being indicative of how they viewed society at the time.
ReplyDelete