Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Allen Ginsberg's "Television Address: 1972 Republican National Convention" is a powerful commentary on the violent and non-violent protests that took place during the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach. Delivered in a direct and impassioned tone, Ginsberg uses this speech to highlight the stark contrast between the peaceful efforts of the majority of anti-war protesters and the violent actions of a small minority, while also condemning the far greater violence perpetrated by the U.S. government in Indochina.

Ginsberg begins by introducing himself and addressing the editorial that criticized the violent behavior of some protesters. He acknowledges that a fringe group of young protesters attacked cars and buses carrying Republican delegates, but emphasizes that the majority of the anti-war movement remained committed to non-violence. These protesters sat peacefully in the streets, fasting, organizing sit-ins, delivering speeches, performing street theater, and marching. Ginsberg’s vivid imagery, such as an elephant dragging a black coffin to the convention hall, underscores the creative and symbolic nature of these protests.

The poet draws attention to Dave Dellinger, a key figure in the anti-war movement, whose "starved saintly face and sensible voice" went largely unnoticed by the media, which instead focused on the more sensational and violent acts. Dellinger's forty-day fast in Miami was a powerful protest against the Indochina war violence, yet his message was overshadowed by the actions of a few. Ginsberg laments that viewers likely saw the "kids trashing instead" of Dellinger's peaceful demonstration.

Ginsberg then provides a harrowing account of the U.S. government's actions in Indochina under Nixon's administration. He lists the types of bombs and weapons used, such as guava bomblets, vomit gas, and napalm-phosphorous-thermite bombs, painting a grim picture of the devastation caused by these weapons. The sheer scale of the bombing is highlighted through staggering statistics: four million tons of bombs dropped, half a million people killed, a million injured, and more than five million homeless refugees.

The poet questions the awareness and moral responsibility of the Republican delegates, particularly those from North Carolina. He suggests that these delegates, who supported Nixon's handling of the war, were either ignorant of or indifferent to the massive human suffering caused by U.S. policies. Ginsberg himself experienced the violence of the state when he was teargassed while peacefully praying on the street, an incident that underscores the irony of the government's condemnation of the protesters' violence.

Ginsberg concludes by criticizing the "bland double-think" of the delegates who accepted Nixon's war policies, which involved "science-fiction style, de-humanized, remote control mass violence." His speech serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of non-violent protest, urging listeners to reflect on the true sources of violence and the need for genuine compassion and action.

Overall, Ginsberg's address is a passionate and eloquent plea for peace, justice, and the recognition of the devastating impact of war. It captures the spirit of the anti-war movement of the 1970s and continues to resonate as a powerful critique of government-sanctioned violence and the media's role in shaping public perception.

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