THREAD 1/ OK SO it has been brought to my attention that Fredericton city council has decided to cease the tradition of their Poet Laureate reading a poem before council meetings, because current PL @JennaLynAlbert read a poem about abortion before a meeting in October?

Here is an article with more information. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/fredericton-city-councillors-divided-after-poet-laureate-reads-abortion-poem/ar-BB19xQ11

"I'm terribly concerned that we are now politicizing poems," Coun. Dan Keenan said during Monday's meeting....Keenan said he felt the council should reconsider whether its meetings should begin with a poem, lamenting how the custom has become a form of "political activism."

I actually just laughed out loud at this quote. God forbid a POET whose JOB it is to comment on situations happening within the town read A POLITICAL POEM at a CITY COUNCIL MEETING. Someone submit this to "Real Articles That You Thought Was The Onion."

The best part? The poem she read is called "Those Who Need to Hear This Won’t Listen" by Ottawa-based writer Conyer Clayton.

It is truly distressing to me to see that Fredricton's city council has gone through with this, and after @JennaLynAlbert's laureateship ends, they will be ceasing the tradition. From one Poet Laurate to another, Jenna, this is absolute bullshit.

@JennaLynAlbert Thank you for using your platform to give a voice to issues that are continually silenced. I am sorry your city has done you such a disservice. Thank you for being brave while surrounded by cowardice.

If anything this has lit a fire under my ass to get as much done in the remaining two years I have as Poet Laureate all the way over here in Ontario.

Here is the link to Jenna's website where you can buy her book: https://jennalynalbert.com/