"Like Lilly Like Wilson," by TAYLOR MALI

[shitsky100]

you have no idea how my life would have changed if you were my teacher !! i love you

[cassiegomoo]

he sounds like snape.

[burkemp002]

This reminds me why I chose to become a teacher. Beautiful.

[brennan93]

"Minds are like parachutes....It doesn't matter so much what you pack them with, so long as they open at the right time". Such a fantastic thought.

[splintamike]

Taylor, one eighth grader at a time is way more than most of us ever achieve.

[ddaylea92]

Mr. Mali, you are an inspiration, an instigation, reminding a whole new generation who it is that makes that nation. Teachers learn and children grow, and the more we grow the more we know. We can make this world a better place, a solemn space filled with honest grace. We look around and hope for change, but when we are disappointed, we have only ourselves to blame. I say thank you to someone who can tell me true: I make a goddamn difference, now what about you!

[ClaustrophobicVamp]

Couldn't find any support as to why homosexuals shouldn't adopt children. Gee, I wonder why...

[JoJoe121]

Writting helped Lily Wilson stop using the world like. Writting helped Lily expand her vocabulary, instead of being trapped in the box of constantly using the word like in everything she said. Lily made her teacher feel like a teacher because he helped her get over her entrapment of like. Writting surprise me when its dealing with poetry. It excites me when poets or authors put common words together that an average everyday person would not put together. It is like its genius or something.

[deProfundisClamoAdTe]

@JoJoe121 It's "writing", not "writting". There's only one 't' in the middle. Sorry, I felt I had to point this out, considering the subject of your comment.

[arcturus0starwatcher]

Thank you Mr. Mali. I love all of your works, and I took the liberty today in quoting the last line of this poem in a scholarship application for my goal to receive the best education I can to become a teacher.

[MoviManATL]

Taylor...this poem has inspired me incredibly over the years! I first read it in "The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry," and later I performed it at an open mic night at my school. As a fellow spoken word poet, I must say I admire your work very much! Keep at it, my friend!

[misslenariel]

This is seriously incredible. Inspiring and eye-opening for a new teacher like me.

[Jollydespair]

I understand that its important to have an open mind and to change your thoughts when you realize your wrong, but how much research will an 8th grader do before giving up. What does that say about the general urge to learn the truth vs the need to come to a conclusion.

PS: Sorry this is my first post to one of your videos if it sounds negative i have really been enjoying a video binge of your poems for a few days

[hairywolf47]

i like totally liked this video, you like know?

[simplystatic]

thank you.

[TheAndiePerson]

Slowly with every video I watch I'm learning the importance of speaking your mind, especially about things you believe to be relevant, if that makes any sense.

[uoftdrone]

Haha, this video has 402 likes....

[meteu41]

Mr Mali i saw you at Central Michigan University a while back! Please come bacK!!!!!

[badbrunette412]

my teacher played this in class because we are doing poetry, now i've watched this like 5 times.. i don't know why but I love this poem now lol :))))

[allahexclamationmark]

If you ever want to make a visit to the School of Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder, we'd love to have you. :)

[Browerchick]

I wish I lived in a like free zone!

[BrilloSwiper]

Favorite poem ever. Cry every time.

[Fez884]

You have inspired my whole 9th grade class, and teacher. I love your poem :)

[charlesbridgesmusic]

Ok this video has 66,666 views. Just saying.... Mr. Mali you are truly inspiring and it is now one of my objectives to attend at least one of your performances in the near future. OR even to organize one at my University and let others enjoy AND learn. Thank you!

[kattierowe]

Taylor Mali is a god. If I'd had more teachers like this in primary and secondary school, I would have started to enjoy learning well before I started college (and, to be honest, I wanted to get into a good colleague but ended up in anal community colleague *sigh* but it was still a wonderful change from high school. good teachers make a world of difference and we need more like Taylor Mali

[jantoniello]

I like liked this.

[LokieSan093]

You just came to my school and I regret not buying a pen. But now that i found this I can say what a BRILLIANT (I used this word because awesome seemed out of place) job you did. Since i will probably never see you in another situation like today I look forward to watching you on here. :)

-Emily

DHS

[Itsnameisgundam]

this guy is so awesome.

my teacher loves him and showed us some stuff. I actually thought it was very good.

[LupaDove]

Oh man! This got me! I'm all choked up right now. LoL I like it!

[EcrireFreeze]

It took me a little while for me to realize why this poem sounded so familiar. Did you tailor it to sound like Poe's "The Raven," or is the similarity purely coincidental?

[ignoranceisbliss27]

@EcrireFreeze if anything, i'd have to guess coincidental. From what I know, all of his poems/writings are actual events that have occurred.

[TaijiBum]

This guy is great. Period.

[lwhit213]

I wish I had a teacher like you

[TessaMcGill]

goosebumps every time!  powerful work mr. mali

[QuiescentDreamer]

This is like, just .. like... AMAZING!! Like, completely like INSPIRING coz like, you say it with like, so much conviction, and like, yeah, like I'm totally in like, awe of such a like, great, like uhm, voice and I think that, like your facial expression is really like, GREAT. And like, your body language, is like, really powerful, in like, getting the message across and like, and ... YEAH...

haha anyone need a translation yet? Just thought i'd be difficult : ) Great work though

[mkarnerfors]

Hm, I noticed a funny thing... when he puts his hand on his chin at 1:25, his voice changes noticeably. Do we really get *that much* sound directly from the esophagus and larynx when we speak?

[taylormali]

@mkarnerfors I think the answer is that I am wearing two mics: the one you see was for the speakers to the auditorium, and the one that's harder to see is the one clipped to the color of my shirt. THAT must be the mic for the video! So when I put my hand on my chin I am blocking the sound, but not for the folks in the theater (which we are NOT hearing.)

[mkarnerfors]

@taylormali Ah, didn't notice the bug before! Once again simple explanations are found for curious obervations. :)

[AdorablyCuteDevil]

@taylormali I think it's ironic that you spelt collar wrong (sorry I couldn't help myself)

[bluidemenace1]

@AdorablyCuteDevil He's a teacher. He prints out his lesson plans without spell-checking because teachers don't make spelling mistakes. (See Miracle Workers for the reference)

[AdorablyCuteDevil]

@bluidemenace1 I watched that before. I should have been more clear. I was referring to his comment about the mic on his shirt. He said colour not collar-I thought it was ironic. I know teachers make mistakes (been through high school, and my profs still make errors). I just thought it was ironic. I love slam poets and I think he's amazing, I just couldn't help myself pointing out that he made a spelling error :P

[bluidemenace1]

@AdorablyCuteDevil I get that. I was just looking for an opportunity to make a reference. And yes, I noticed the mistake too. I <3 Taylor Mali.

[ignoranceisbliss27]

@mkarnerfors I believe Mr. Mali is correct. Notice where his hand actually goes and see that it is merely on his chin and not his actual throat... Amazing as usual though, as a student still in college I realize that a lot of who I am today in schooling and even some outside of that, came from teachers who gave a damn (though now thinking about it, most if not all teachers have to give a damn...)

[ncxcrunner]

@mkarnerfors Could also be affected by a few other factors. He could have had the voice change and the gesture happen for the same reason, to sound "scholarly". Or perhaps he pressed on his chin with such force that it interrupted the vibrations of his vocal chords. Or as Taylor said himself, it may have also blocked the mic on his shirt. Interesting observation though

[mkarnerfors]

@ncxcrunner Naw, I believe Taylor's simple epxlanation. I didn't notice it before but if you look at his t-shirt, you can see the "bug" microphone right there, And just as the voice changes, that's when he has his hand covering it.

[MrCiscojae]

@mkarnerfors No, his hand was just in front of the mic.

[KylaiaJmaa]

My language arts teacher showed us this in class. I'm an 8th grader. I love it!

[Caroleeena]

I love this! And thank you for changing the world. One eight grader at a time is a change rate to be proud of though I think your poetry and the way you share it increases that rate to the point of blowing your own curve.

[elfeyes]

His point is you have to be committed reason and at lest objectively be able to accept a sound argument.

[runescapejunkiee]

enJOOOOOY it!

[Yahgudang]

One of my favourite poems!

[bundleHastings]

"They are just like any other breed of dog." Whoever told you that knows nothing.

[trinitymike]

Actually, statistics bear out his claim: Pitbulls are lower on the ASPCA list for aggresiveness than poodles and Shi-itsus(sp).

[mkarnerfors]

Quite the contrary... whose that say that are those with expert knowledge of dogs. The only ones that say they are not a calm stable breed of dogs is sensationalists and those with preconceived ideas about the dogs.

Pitbulls were bred to be non-aggressive and non-prone to randomg biting because these were undesirable qualities (well, D'UH!). This myth about pitbulls being aggressive is just that... a myth, just like Boxers were subjected to in the last century.

[artistictone]

I'm. in. love.

[ignoranceisbliss27]

@artistictone and definitely need some punctuation classes :)

[RaRsi4eva]

is there something wrong with u?

[DemonAmongTheAngels]

correction:

"is there something, *head tilt* like, wrong with you?"

[haikus575]

This is terrible. To switch sides on a debate just because there aren't enough people on yours. That's like switching football teams because yours isn't good. Except this is much worse.

I love Taylor Mali, but shame on you for endorsing the giving up of one's ideals just to fit in. Teach them to find their own voice, not to be shouted down.

[inmygenes]

Did you watch the video all the way through?

i think that Lily was convinced by the other arguments. He encourages her to think for herself.

[haikus575]

I did watch it. Several times. But I still disagree. Lilly says, "I can't find support for my belief." He thinks that is good reason for disbelieving it, or at least for arguing for the other side in a paper. I think it's not.

[bigdono78]

He doesn't say anything about beliefs, he is simply inviting her to have an opinion based on factual evidence instead of well.......nothing. He is trying to show the importance of thought before words. It is the lack of that kind of action that breeds racism, sexism and a degeneritive society as a whole. We could all take something from this poem, because after all we could all use more thought before we talk!

[geavrems]

He invites her to "open her mind" That is the point.

[akaCharlieG]

you make the assumption that people start out having the correct opinion.

Why research except to either prove yourself right or learn that you are wrong?

Changing your mind requires humility. Openness to being wrong is the true way to wisdom.

[haikus575]

Agreed. My point isn't that it's wrong to change your mind, or that it's wrong to change your mind after doing research. My point is that it's wrong to change your mind just because "you're having trouble finding sources, that is, ones that back you up." Taylor seems to think that it's the right response.

[Dethseiz]

Actually,I think you missed the point,did you realize the subject.The research she wanted to find was unsubstantial. When you cannot find evidence toward an argument or opinion,it is up to your opinion,whether you argue with ill formed ideas and opinions,or you see what the truth is,and learn that things can be different than you want to beleive.

[haikus575]

You guys are not getting what I'm saying. Don't you understand that you can be in favor of gay adoption and still think that Lilly Wilson is in favor of it for bad reasons?! Let me give you an analogous situation.

In the early 1900s, anyone arguing against slavery would have "had a hard time finding sources to back her up." But they would have been RIGHT! Thank God they didn't give up just because they're position was "unsubstantial."

[thorbjoerna]

Well...

As far as I am concerned most people are against gay adoption, and it should therefor be easier for her to find material that support her case.

But it isnt.

[mkarnerfors]

Popular does imply right.

The popular opinon may have materials for its case but that doesn't mean the arguments add up to something senisble or usable for an academic assignment.

Take for instance pitbulls... popular opinion says are ticking timebombs just waiting to rip out a baby's face. Facts that hold up to scrutiny state that they are in fact stable and not aggressive at all. They are just like any other breed of dog.

Popular doesn't imply right.

[everidaygirl]

you have to keep in mind also, on a subject as "subjective" as homosexual adoptions...that what you may constitute as the right answer, is not reciprocated in the mind of someone else. Because this is a topic that is backed by emotions and personal belief rather than empirical evidence of right and wrong.

[mkarnerfors]

Well in such cases it is extra important to be vigilant of the arguments. If your only argument is "I think it should be this eway, jyust because", then you had better be very humble to the possibility that someone may some day ourtrumph your opinion with real arguments.

[jlel]

Well said everidaygirl. :D

[jackuhlantern]

I see what you are saying and I think you make a valid point, however, one can always go back to their original opinion after finding their own evidence as well as outside evidence. If there is absolutely no one else in the world that agrees with you, and you can't back yourself up, then your argument will be pointless.

[trinitymike]

I think his point is that, if you go into a research project holding a pre-conceived opinion about some thing and then encounter repeated instances of evidence that counterindicates your position and very little or no evidence that supports your position, you need to have the ability to realise that perhaps your original position is not based on any evidence...

[mkarnerfors]

If you have an opinion but cannot find materials to support it, then you have to start thinking why you have the opinion in the first place. If you can't argue the case for your opinion you have to start thinking real hard: "Why do I think this to begin with?"

Those who wanted to abolish slavery had no shortage of materials. Any argument saying "Humans are born equal and free" supports the case. And those values were alot older than the struggle to abolish slavery.

[zednelly]

amazing. do you have a video performance of how to write a political poem?

[virtuosoikingpin]

I wish I had a teacher like this. The only teacher that I've had that comes remotely close to this guy is a student teacher that will be leaving next week :(

[Gondring]

Then there's science class, where you don't just take the other side...you ask, "why aren't there any sources for the other side?" and investigate whether it's because the other side is untenable, or if there's another reason. (Hint: it's often the latter! :-)

[mooxim]

fuck that's a quote. That is an awesome quote. Changing your mind is one of the best ways of figuring out you still have one.

[mkarnerfors]

Yes, isn't it now. I have adopted it myself. Being stubborn for the sake of keeping an opinion at all cost is not a virtue... it's stupidity. This quote encompasses that pretty well.

I don't like the followup though... pack your parachute/mind with an anvil and it *will* drag you down to a crash. It matters pretty much what you pack it with. :D

[trinitymike]

But if you open your mind, the dead weight tends to fall away....THAT is the point as well, I think..

[xXxFallenAngelxXx001]

This discribes so many teenagers (including me) that need to stop saiyng Like all the time.

[SnowWolf98]

Ah, my drama teacher recommended this poem to us. My drama class has got some of the worst like addicts.

[banderson6007]

This is definitely one of my top five. I watch this video at least once a week and it's amazing

[hockeymonkey11293]

Yea my history teacher said to watch it too... it makes you think

[LoveBugxo1221]

my history teacher told me to come watch this video, its pretty goood

:]

[jakem1000]

aaaaaaaaah this is so amazing. I wish you could be my teacher....get certified for AP Lang and come to my high school, quick!

[Idinaissex]

Mr. Mali, this is more motivation than I could ever ask to receive in a single sitting. You will forever be my hero and my biggest inspiration.

[snakesmyle]

You make me want to be a teacher.

[podcastbard]

Love the poem. thank you.

[Yodaleighyodalay]

Hello Taylor, I have immensely enjoyed your videos! As teachers, we all have to be entertainers, don't we? You have taken it to another level and it is definitely beautiful to watch. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. ESP

[katv5678]

I could listen to Taylor Mali's poetry over and over again! I love ALL of his work!

[GunsNQueen]

he like rocks

[amyeileen]

"You make me feel like a teacher and who could ask to feel more than that." It has been such a long day, but that still inspires me.

[romandruid]

Love it, love it, love it! I wish I could share this with my students... I have several 7th and 8th graders with the same affliction, alas.

[cattieloves]

My favorite Mali poem. :*)

[amyeileen]

This is my favorite of Mali's poems.

[RambledEggs]

Great poem. A plague that is infecting many children nowadays, with variatons from "like" to "uhm." Changing minds is a very noble deed, and may you stay strong in your journey of enlightenment.

[ChokoboGuy666]

Very moving. Although it felt somewhat different than your other works in terms of vocal style, it still rings with your unique sense of flair. Great work. \m/