"I'll Fight You For The Library" performed by Taylor Mali

[@solthewiz1839]

"It's also the only place in the school WITH BOOKS!"

[@LoneWolffanwriter]

"With all due respect, I don't think you actually DO understand my "frustration" or else you would not have used that word. You see I am not, in fact, frustrated. The correct word would be OUTRAGED." Favorite line of the whole poem. Well done, Taylor.

[@skyybaby18]

Met him at a conference and heard this performed along with several other of his poems, and loved the passion he exudes in his poetry. Super nice, intelligent, down to earth guy. This is a favorite!

[@annaa7362]

The most amazing, articulate individual I have ever come across. As a teacher I cannot express the depth of truth behind his words. Wonderful, something all teachers, students and future teachers should hear.

[@AnImpishGrin]

This, and I mean almost exactly this, happened to me today. My teacher booked a conference room for several of us to use to practice presentations. Administrators were in there and they refused to leave because they "weren't quite finished" and "didn't want to move." So we got shoved in a different, much less convenient room. After one of the kids pointed out to the librarian that schools are for the benefit of the students, we went back to our class and told our teacher. He showed us this.

[@AzimertheMad]

The school I teach at has shut down the library for the last seven weeks of the year for standardized testing. I think of this video daily when I look at the closed sign.

[@sebastianl.4265]

Taylor Mali is one of my favorite poets. This is one of my favorite poems of his. ❤

[@janesmith7243]

This is so awesome because I love passionate teachers, books, and libraries, and I'm a third degree black belt! (Huah!)

[@baseidel]

I, as a young librarian, actually said no to an administrator and watched him melt down at me for having the audacity of wanting the library available for people who had work to do there. I finally told him that even my parents never spoke to me as rudely as he was doing. He shut up and left. He never asked for something like that again. I wasn't fired....although I spent a few hours wondering whether I would be. Thanks for all who keep libraries open for learning.

[@eiela]

I LOVE this poem. So far, I haven't had to defend keeping my school library open to the students, instead of closed for a meeting. . . . but if I do. . . I'm probably going to play this for whatever crazy person tries to close it.

[@Heffsta02]

I was fortunate to have mostly passionate English teachers who really gave me a love of writing. My grade 12 music teacher was also very passionate and is still a good friend to this day.

[@gryphontamer]

I love it when teachers speak truth to ignorance. You rock, Mr. Mali.

[@danagrl52]

i love that cristin o'keefe aptowicz just happens to be concluding the act. because, you know, she's got nothing better to do?? and by "she's got nothing better to do," i mean "i kneel at your feet, unworthy, in awe of your most splendorous works, my lady, my goddess, my shining, jiggling queen."

[@NicoleAgent]

The public school system NEEDS more teachers like this, desperately.

[@jeffbaer5851]

My comments do not describe my own situation -- I love my colleagues and my "bosses" -- but many teachers would be PETRIFIED to even consider WRITING, much less publicly PERFORMING, pieces like this. But I will promise you: many of them would like to. And they would slay, just like Taylor Mali did here. Unfortunately, there are too many districts in which free exchange of ideas is stifled, bureaucracy trumps reason, and adversarial relations between "staff" and "management" keeps topics in people's heads, or in hushed tones in the staff room, or in the parking lot. Facilities management -- we're seeing that all over the SW with 100 degree classrooms -- or non-existent supplies, or technology promises from the district that are MADE but not KEPT.... the list goes on. There are a LOT of teachers like Taylor. I know several. They are smart, passionate, and fierce. I'm lucky, because in my district (a little town in Oregon) we are encouraged to talk and share and gripe and question and dream. Sadly... that doesn't happen everywhere.

[@onyxsiniardi]

this man is a genius.

[@jennyazarola9576]

You have made my life better for years

[@FireSailLabs]

I feel like this video deserves way more attention than it has gotten. This is one of the funniest things I have ever heard.

[@SidneyAnderson36]

I am in awe! Complete and total awe. Well done sir!

[@wintairqueen]

I'm glad there are still people in the world passionate about their jobs. Really, you make me consider education as a career.

[@J.FellowsPoetry]

No poem has made me keel with laughter, this is great!

[@monkleto]

I need more Taylor Mali videos. This man inspires the shit out of me.

[@Tahkaullus01]

Eight years since I first saw this... still golden.

[@annaf.w.5154]

This is my rock and roll and Mali is my favorite rock star *.*

[@SourSeayow626]

Too few teachers in this world are as passionate as this man.

[@Aghaene]

Dr. Joseph D'Angelo is one hardcore badass of the education system. I must applaud.

[@Aiedail57]

Just saw him for an hour long reading about half an hour ago and It was one of the best events I have been to all year

[@morganpatterson4291]

Always loved Taylor Mali's performances

[@CastleNoble]

100% true. The spirit of this is how all people should live life.

[@stringbottlez]

"i will not reschedule any of my classes' library periods for any administrative meeting" ...thats goddamn right!!!

[@colleenelizabeth7]

This is actually my life. Every. Day. Thank you for helping me see the humor. hahaha!

[@liennosyarg]

Absolutely fantastic.

[@StevenCampbell1955]

I want to be able to punch the like button at least a dozen times while he speaks. Like. Like .Like

[@deProfundisClamoAdTe]

Makes me want to rush over to a library and start reading... WITH BOOKS

[@izzby1]

i love everything he does!

[@bnatrl88]

"...is so obtuse that i am incapable of appreciating the irony in it!!!" LOL

[@zero11010]

Love to hear his thoughts on the instruction received during the pandemic and the very significant fall in test scores (while they’re not the only measurement of education, they are a major measurement of it).

[@CSGPhotographie]

I like the hostility, reminds me of chris Farley quite a bit. Great poem and delivery

[@brittanylove5275]

My favorite spoken word poem like ever

[@4ndiland]

this is my favorite poem of yours, mr. mali!

[@AneTix101]

Beautiful

[@Candyman757]

I hope to be a teacher like this one day

[@VioletxRayz]

2:40 i do no care if the library is the only place in the school big enough to accomidate your meeting, it's also the only place in the school WITH BOOKS!!! thats my favorite part :D

[@taiwarrior1]

brilliant. love this man.

[@phantom12413]

I can totally picture my English teacher doing this! Had to share this video with her.

[@michaellblume]

This is a shame because the library is no longer a place of card catalogs (electronic or paper) and books. This day in age, the library has been replaced with an iPad and a small "study room". I still like having 10 books spread on a table over 1 search box and a list of 10 highest-matching paragraphs.

[@cicelytheelibrarian4301]

Yes! I love this! Fight for your library!

[@Koribaby1]

Absolutely loved it. =]

[@Impalu]

"I do not care if the library is the only place in the school big enough to accommodate your meeting. It's also the only place in the school WITH BOOKS. >:[" That kind of made my day. Thank you, Mr. Mali! Wouldn't it have just been smarter to schedule his meeting AFTER school? Everyone could be happy.

[@captainterrible525]

I love it!

[@glasshousefuture6836]

Word differentiation is so very important.

[@only2comment98]

exactly. And ya gotta love Mali's delivery..

[@consaka1]

Amen to that!! How many ludicrous situations I have seen totally butchered by bureaucratic idiocy! The stories I could tell, had I the skill of Mali.

[@ConnieIsMijnNaam]

Fantastic.

[@thelastcube.]

Damn, the oratory skills are noice

[@kitkitten46]

Complete agreement as a student of a school that I'm pretty sure doesn't know how to use it's resources well enough. I know how it feels to not be able to find a computer for an in class project. I had to search 20 minutes around the building not only for a working computer, but for a computer that should have BEEN IN THAT CLASS ROOM. You would think a cart of laptops would have enough for a full class room but apparently not. Apparently that's ridiculous to think I deserve my in class laptop.

[@Theepicpurpleninja]

I almost died when he said, "The only room in the school... WITH BOOKS!"

[@confusedSoulof2010]

might I ask why you dislike him so greatly? I feel that he is brilliant in conveying the messages behind his selections of reading.

[@kylagabriellemorgan]

With books!

[@recklesstenacity]

Anybody else a little scared of this guy? Who wants to bet he's one of those teachers who doesn't have to ASK the kids to sit down and be quiet? Just. WOW. We need more teachers who really care about their kids.

[@Blawwmkw]

Keep in mind that this poem is from the point of view of Mali's 5th/6th grade teacher, not Mali himself. :)

[@mfl728]

@hazelgreenxoxo I could see what you mean, how he seems kind of full of himself, but at the end of the day it's the words, not the person, that you're listening to, and Taylor's got some great and wise words to share.

[@Noclue0828]

AWESOME!

[@skrinkladahh]

Love!

[@hippogriffgrrl10]

Wow-- I wish there were more people like that in the public school system...

[@TheGenaral18]

...it is also the place in the school WITH BOOKS! Best line ever Period.

[@pollianna36]

Blessed BE!!!

[@MrPaige1594]

to funny once he say's "...its the only place WITH BOOKS!!" lmao love this guys

[@rachelcowen63]

I get to see him in a few days 3

[@voldy8fluffy]

Favorite line: I would be the first to apologize for "editorializing through your secretary" if I thought that the statement "academic instruction" takes precedence over administrative meetings were a matter of opinion and not, in fact, a matter of fact, and not one I thought I would have to explain TO THE DEAN OF INSTRUCTION.

[@thecharredremain]

I know this is the least inspiring and poetic of all of his stuff but it's my favorite lol it's so unexpected and really fun to listen to!

[@nickbung]

I almost spit out my pepsi laughing so hard at this poem. Fantastic.

[@jonarbuckle1560]

FUCKING CALLED IT knew he was a "karate guy" perhaps the king of karate island itself

[@Shays_Crochet]

That was hilarious!! So good!

[@Hchris101]

Cool

[@brittanylove5275]

Funniest spoken word I have ever seen omg I honestly laughed so hard when I first heard it. :P

[@megarockman]

Dr. D'Angelo was this man's teacher in 5th and 6th grade.

[@musictechy]

LOL that was a great piece of writing!!!!!!

[@KrappyKombatKiller]

Thank you for the subscription wow thank you🎉🎉🎉❤❤

[@cecejohns8816]

Do you know who he remind me of? Guess..... INCONCEIVABLE!!

[@TheAmazingLeztits]

I kinda wish I had this guy as my 5th grade teacher.

[@Lipsmack06]

I want to be an english teacher because of him

[@yarrrthekraken]

7 people are Dr. Richard Blackstone, Dean of Instruction

[@h3lblad3]

Wait, this was a poem? I thought it was just sheer concentrated badass...

[@ckeilah]

Where's the audio? The levels are so low I can't understand but every few words.

[@Lehmann108]

Smokin'!

[@pyropersonman]

Where can I find a pdf or a script of this?

[@eamon2please]

Go to books.google.com/books?id=jQn2tEULiDQC, then enter "i'll fight" into the search box.

[@michaellblume]

+Eamon Doyle Why not just link to: books.google.com/books?id=jQn2tEULiDQC&q=i%27ll+fight#v=snippet&q=i'll%20fight&f=false

[@eamon2please]

Michael Blume 'Cause I'm dumb.

[@michaellblume]

Not at all. It might have not even been a valid link at the time, but thanks for sharing. It's interesting to see how Mr. Mali has changed his script over time :)

[@HRHmellr]

AMEN

[@xXWhosThatXx]

the 10 dislikes are kids who dont like the library

[@mrvalz1]

I just got an email informing me that after spending millions of dollars on technology, the district could no longer afford $3200 to utilize that technology. I thought of this video.

[@jayhemp00]

Why the hell did Kay Ryan get $35 grand to be a national treasure and no one has heard of Taylor Mali?! I swear...no justice, no peace!!!

[@hyacinth1729]

my english teacher is having us listen to this for an assessment.... :(

[@taylormali]

As in . . . RIGHT NOW? Tweet me a question @TaylorMali, and I'll answer it for you! Let me help you look as smart as you no doubt are!

[@mdragoonx]

@SpykerC8Lav Yup, since we know now that the classrooms are devoid of them due to book bans and lack of funding.

[@reginaldfairfield]

@Lehmann108 the poem or him? lol.

[@fizzymk6231]

we dont have a library, just classroom books and like 10 books in the hallway on the top floor...

[@Poopbagsteve]

40 YEARS, how old is he?

[@LilBookworm101]

was trying to get through this without smiling, i lost it at 2:47 lol.

[@nohnoelle]

I totally wish you had been my teacher.

[@krippy2k]

@hazelgreenxoxo What's wrong with being cocky? It's much more tolerable than the lack of self-confidence that so many people in society exhibit today. When you're passionate about something, and you are good at it, you SHOULD be cocky.

[@caspian915]

This is unbearably dated at this point-though admittedly most well-meaning, idealistic stuff from the late 90s/early 00s is at this point. If you haven’t been to a library in a bit, for many this should be titled “I’ll fight you in the library”. Fighting between adult patrons, visitors verbally or physically attacking staff, just a general sense of unease as libraries become the personal living rooms of the homeless and addicted or those who simply shrug away work and any social or personal responsibility. When you have to work in this environment every day, like I do, your sympathy is worn thin by the demands of adult babysitting and the neglect of managers and administrators. The ideals of this video warm the hearts of people who, by their financial and social position in society, manage to avoid the daily grind of dealing with other people’s constant problems and threats.

[@imstillheather]

That would be a pretty awsome kiai. "Books!!"