Post by Daz Madrigal on Oct 17, 2006 14:29:58 GMT
To follow thew rule book..
Poet out of bounds
Fountain Square management Monday expressed regret over the personal attacks and foul language in the verse that poet Nikki Giovanni recited at Saturday's reopening of the square.
Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) had asked the nationally recognized poet, who grew up in Lincoln Heights, for something that would "deliver a positive, uplifting message about the importance of Cincinnatians reconnecting with one another," the nonprofit agency said in a statement.
An early draft that Giovanni - who wasn't paid for her appearance - provided didn't include the lines that some found offensive. Giovanni couldn't be reached for comment Monday.
The final version of Giovanni's poem, written for the event and titled "I Am Cincinnati," referred to Ken Blackwell, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor, as a "son of a bitch" and alluded to him as a "political whore," drawing gasps and applause from onlookers.
The agency "is strongly committed to the principle of free speech and the belief that Fountain Square is a center of open public discourse," 3CDC said in the statement. "However, given the nature of this family-friendly celebration focused on moving our city forward, officials think the poem's personal attacks and foul language were completely inappropriate."
3CDC, which manages the square under a long-term contract with the city, said it asked Giovanni to participate because she is a famous, talented poet who is from Cincinnati
Poet out of bounds
Fountain Square management Monday expressed regret over the personal attacks and foul language in the verse that poet Nikki Giovanni recited at Saturday's reopening of the square.
Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) had asked the nationally recognized poet, who grew up in Lincoln Heights, for something that would "deliver a positive, uplifting message about the importance of Cincinnatians reconnecting with one another," the nonprofit agency said in a statement.
An early draft that Giovanni - who wasn't paid for her appearance - provided didn't include the lines that some found offensive. Giovanni couldn't be reached for comment Monday.
The final version of Giovanni's poem, written for the event and titled "I Am Cincinnati," referred to Ken Blackwell, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor, as a "son of a bitch" and alluded to him as a "political whore," drawing gasps and applause from onlookers.
The agency "is strongly committed to the principle of free speech and the belief that Fountain Square is a center of open public discourse," 3CDC said in the statement. "However, given the nature of this family-friendly celebration focused on moving our city forward, officials think the poem's personal attacks and foul language were completely inappropriate."
3CDC, which manages the square under a long-term contract with the city, said it asked Giovanni to participate because she is a famous, talented poet who is from Cincinnati
