O.K., He's Not Shakespreare!!!! But, Why Kick Him Off The Team??? The Answer Is Simple--It's High School!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                The truth tellers are always the first to be criticized, as I can tell you, from years of experience, darlings!!!!!

                                 Nick Andre, of Rittman, Ohio, is not a poet, and he knows it.  But, from the storm of criticism he kicked up in his community, he comes off as the most shocking literary figure, since Grace Metalious wrote "Peyton Place."

                                And what brought this on?  A poem he wrote, based on his experience, called "Stupid."   Here it is"

                                                         "Stupid
                                                          Losing season,
                                                          Favoritism,
                                                          Nonstop passes from best friend to best friend.
                                                          Continuously doing what doesn't work,
                                                          The inability to separate being a father and a coach.
                                                          Dropped passes,
                                                          But yet still the 'superstar,'
                                                          Yeah, right.
                                                          Where's my scholarship?
                                                          I can drop passes,
                                                          Run backwards,
                                                          Miss tackles,
                                                          And be afraid to take a hit.
                                                         That's the top line Div. 1 material right there.
                                                         If that's what they wanted,
                                                         They definitely got it.
                                                         This whole town will be glad when he is gone.
                                                         For anyone who doesn't understand what I am saying?
                                                         AKRON'S SCREWED.
                                                         --Nick Andre

                                     As a literary figure, darlings, I have to say--for a high school jock, that is pretty good poetic structure!  At least, he has a sense of such!

                                      But the furor is more about the content. It seems Nick was criticizing the special favors the coach gives his son, and maybe some of the other players, at the expense of someone like himself, who has as much to offer, but lacks parental, social, or economic advantages.

                                      I think what got him thrown off the team was that he was not just criticizing the coach, the son, and team practices.  He was criticizing high school culture in general, where, if your family is not wealthy, or prominent, or on the faculty,  or yourself especially popular, you don't get plum roles  in plays, elected to the National Honor Society, and go about generally unengaged, with only yourself to rely on.

                                       Sounds about right, Nick.  Sounds like my high school experience, as well as those of countless others.

                                        So, good for you, Nick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Instead, he was suspended for several days, (a decision where the length of time was reversed, so he is back in school, and on the team, though God knows what will happen now.  Hey, Nick, have you seen "Carrie?") and accused of harassment and bullying, in his poem!!!!!! Oh, come on NOW!!!!!!!!!!  Who, outside of the folk at the school, will know who Nick is talking about, let alone care?

                                         The coach, son, and favored teammates will know it is them, with egg on their faces.  But the administrators, and board members know that the entire culture, in a wider sense, is being targeted (and rightly so!!!), and God forbid the sanctity of the socially discriminating status quo should not be preserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I don't know.  Sounds like the suburbs, to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Now, you see, darlings, why the Sherwood sisters just HAD to leave "OHIO!!!!!!!!!!!"