The Multicultural School
Auniquely modern school of poetry, the Multicultural School concerns itself with the diversity that is the world today. Poets in this group proudly declaim about cultures, religions, sexual orientation, and races other than their own. These verses celebrating differences are often extremely thought-provoking and always highly sensitive.
Lars von Trier
b. 1956
In “Fey Comments,” the film director–screenwriter Lars von Trier gives a sly, friendly wink at anti-Semites.
Fey Comments Involving Jewishness, Hitler, and Film Directors Who Have Tongue Over-Cutely Placed in Cheek
The only thing I can tell you is that I thought I was a Jew for a long time
and was very happy being a Jew,
then later on came Susanne Bier, and suddenly I wasn’t so happy about being a Jew.
That was a joke. Sorry.
But it turned out that I was not a Jew.
If I’d been a Jew, then I would be a second-wave Jew, a kind of a new-wave Jew,
but anyway, I really wanted to be a Jew and then I found out
that I was really a Nazi, because my family is German.
And that also gave me some pleasure.
So, I, what can I say?
I understand Hitler.
I think he did some wrong things but I can see him sitting in his bunker.
I’m saying that I think I understand the man.
He is not what we could call a good guy, but yeah,
I understand much about him and I sympathize with him . . . But come on!
I’m not for the Second World War.
And I’m not against Jews.
No, not even Susanne Bier.
I am very much for them. As much as Israelis are a pain in the ass.
How do I get out of this sentence? Okay, I am a Nazi.
As for the art, I’m for Speer. Albert Speer I liked.
He was also one of God’s best children.
He has a talent that . . .
Okay, enough.
Lars von Trier
Von Trier takes his theme one step further in the following, and cleverly switches from winking to groveling.
Not Enough After All: An Addendum after Negative Reactions to Fey Comments, etc. etc., Led to Being Banned from the Cannes Film Festival
I’m very proud of being persona non grata.
I’ve never been that before in my life, and that suits me extremely well . . .
I’m known for provocations, but I like provocations when they have a purpose.
And this had no purpose whatsoever.
Because I’m not Mel Gibson.
I’m definitely not Mel Gibson.
Mel Gibson
b. 1956
Actor Mel Gibson favors a more direct approach.
I Am Mel Gibson
You motherfucker. I’m going to fuck you . . .
Fucking Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.
Are you a Jew?
What the fuck do you think you’re doing?
What do you think you’re looking at,
Sugar Tits?
Michael Savage
b. 1942
Radio host Michael Savage turns his eyes to a different religious group—the Muslims. Interestingly, his harmonizing ideas seem to jibe quite nicely with those of the previous poets, albeit for this different group.
Kentucky Fried Poem
We are going to face this Hobson’s choice.
People kept saying the extremists represent only 10 percent of 900 million Muslims.
That’s when I asked:
Would you rather see 100 million of us fried or 100 million of them fried?
Nobody says this stuff,
so I say it.
I’m screaming out from the wilderness.
Michael Bloomberg
b. 1942
In this light, whimsical poem, the reader laughs with the poet (New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg) at drunken Irish people.
Words to the Irish Historical Society
normally when i walk by this building
there are a bunch of people
that are totally inebriated
hanging out the window.
i know that’s a stereotype about the Irish,
but nevertheless we Jews around the corner think this.
Hans Zeiger
b. 1985
The little-known Hans Zeiger (who ran for Congress in Washington State) takes a startlingly different approach to the diversity topic. After reading this fresh voice, the reader wonders whether he or she should indeed find another cookie purveyor.
Musings on Girl Scout Cookies
The Girl Scouts allow
homosexuals and atheists to join their ranks,
and they have become a pro abortion feminist training corps.
If the Girl Scouts of America can’t get back to teaching real character,
perhaps it will be time
to look for our cookies elsewhere.