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

"I'll Fight You For The Library" performed by Taylor Mali as part of the Page Meets Stage Series at the Bowery Poetry Club in New York City on April 29, 2009

[@solthewiz1839]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@janesmith7243]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@onyxsiniardi]

this man is a genius.

[@annaf.w.5154]

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

[@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.

[@deProfundisClamoAdTe]

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

[@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.

[@Aghaene]

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

[@bnatrl88]

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

[@TreyVanZandt]

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

[@jennyazarola9576]

You have made my life better for years

[@Tahkaullus01]

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

[@StevenCampbell1955]

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

[@Candyman757]

I hope to be a teacher like this one day

[@wintairqueen]

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

[@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.

[@SidneyAnderson36]

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

[@stringbottlez]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@monkleto]

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

[@morganpatterson4291]

Always loved Taylor Mali's performances

[@SourSeayow626]

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

[@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

[@CastleNoble]

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

[@CSGPhotographie]

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

[@colleenelizabeth7]

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

[@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).

[@izzby1]

i love everything he does!

[@brittanylove5275]

My favorite spoken word poem like ever

[@glasshousefuture6836]

Word differentiation is so very important.

[@4ndiland]

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

[@liennosyarg]

Absolutely fantastic.

[@cicelytheelibrarian4301]

Yes! I love this! Fight for your library!

[@taiwarrior1]

brilliant. love this man.

[@phantom12413]

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

[@only2comment98]

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

[@Koribaby1]

Absolutely loved it. =]

[@AneTix101]

Beautiful

[@kylagabriellemorgan]

With books!

[@Theepicpurpleninja]

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

[@captainterrible525]

I love it!

[@hippogriffgrrl10]

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

[@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.

[@jonarbuckle1560]

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

[@MrPaige1594]

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

[@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.

[@ConnieIsMijnNaam]

Fantastic.

[@skrinkladahh]

Love!

[@pollianna36]

Blessed BE!!!

[@TheGenaral18]

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

[@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.

[@nickbung]

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

[@thelastcube.]

Damn, the oratory skills are noice

[@Noclue0828]

AWESOME!

[@brittanylove5275]

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

[@Blawwmkw]

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

[@KaritaMcB]

Awesome!!!

[@Shays_Crochet]

That was hilarious!! So good!

[@HRHmellr]

AMEN

[@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!

[@cecejohns8816]

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

[@musictechy]

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

[@megarockman]

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

[@Lipsmack06]

I want to be an english teacher because of him

[@TheAmazingLeztits]

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

[@rachelcowen63]

I get to see him in a few days 3

[@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.

[@xXWhosThatXx]

the 10 dislikes are kids who dont like the library

[@Lehmann108]

Smokin'!

[@h3lblad3]

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

[@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.

[@KrappyKombatKiller]

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

[@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!

[@Eworannod]

1:22 AMEN!

[@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.

[@bradwolf07]

Holy crap... this made me laugh so hard

[@yarrrthekraken]

7 people are Dr. Richard Blackstone, Dean of Instruction

[@Poopbagsteve]

that makes sense

[@LilBookworm101]

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

[@thecolorteale]

2:41 to 2:50 has to be the funniest part. I laugh just thinking about it. :)

[@IcedReality]

oooooooooh SNAP!

[@fizzymk6231]

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

[@nohnoelle]

I totally wish you had been my teacher.

[@Hchris101]

Cool

[@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!!!

[@AnimeProphet666]

my school uses the libary for meetings to, its SO MESST UP.

[@dafedge2007]

16 now. He's multiplying... The trouble with tribbles has nothing on bad school administrators.

[@WhoisBJ]

epic teacher.

[@rougn]

@TheDigitalreign Fight for your bliss.

[@imstillheather]

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