Comments on: Country Song “I Make a Difference” Plagiarizes Popular Poem About Teachers

By: The McIntosh Mania - 9-2 MLA Citations and Writing Day

The McIntosh Mania - 9-2 MLA Citations and Writing Day — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:03:21 +0000

[...] Popular Song is Plagiarized…Uh-oh! [...]

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:57:23 +0000

Why doesn’t Mali personally speak with Brad about it. I’m sure he would be fine with working out whatever is necessary. I know Brad personally, and he is a GREAT friend of my father’s and he is a phenomenal talent. This song could go FAR, and Mali would be a part of many royalties if handled in a manner that wasn’t attacking or belittling to Brad. Let’s be adults here. If it has been titled anonymous for so long, let’s give Brad the benefit of the doubt that he found it in a source and went with it. He is a musician… he didn’t look into that. He saw anonymous and he wrote. With that being said, talk to him, handle it, and quit bitching. Damn.

By: Alyse L - #478

Alyse L - #478 — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:16:06 +0000

As teacher #478 on Taylor Mali’s “Quest for a Thousand Teachers”, I nearly cried when listening to this song. No, not because it was touching or moving or powerful, but because of how strongly offended I am at Mali’s work being used in such a way. Brad Wolf, in plagiarizing Mali’s words, is diluting and destroying the meaning and power which they hold. “What Teachers Make”, and many of Mali’s other poems, have been integral to my decision to spend my life teaching, and Wolf’s uncredited and careless use of Mali’s work is disgraceful to me and the other 550 teachers Mali has inspired.

Brad Wolf, please admit your mistake and give credit where credit is due.

By: When poems hit rock-bottom « What Is Funny?

When poems hit rock-bottom « What Is Funny? — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:59:19 +0000

[...] poets sometimes get a bad name for being, uh, bad. But when a country singer has plagiarized your work…well I guess it’s one step up from a Miller Lite [...]

By: Michael Guinn

Michael Guinn — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:17:34 +0000

TAYLOR! You are and will always be the only author, artist, advocate and activist who can claim the impact this poem has been on the global spokenword and poetry communities let alone the world. As a social worker and poet and fan I just want to say thank you for blazing a path that is a standard for all spokenword artists today. We love you and will always support you no matter what..

Sincerely
Mike Guinn-Texas

By: Cori MacNaughton

Cori MacNaughton — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:33:45 +0000

I’m glad that Taylor Mali discovered, if belatedly, the plagiarization of his poem, which has indeed inspired many people, myself included. As one who has had my own work appropriated by someone without scruples, I hope he does issue a cease and desist, and I hope that the “writers” of the song learn a valuable lesson – ALWAYS give credit where credit is due!

I was pleased to see Taylor perform twice in 2005, when he performed at two colleges near Orlando, and upon meeting him found him to be a very nice, witty and humble man.

Sorry, Mr. Knoske, but as one who has actually met the man, your comments make you appear pretty small-minded.

I am a poet as well, and the daughter of a teacher, which is why I value Taylor Mali’s poetry so highly – few poets so consistently “get me” with their words.

He is among the best.

By: Evan 'Copa' Hilliard

Evan 'Copa' Hilliard — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:46:13 +0000

Knoske, did Taylor beat you in a slam with the poem?

By: Brian Omni Dillon

Brian Omni Dillon — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:34:50 +0000

ill jump on the bandwagon here as well Knoske:

- Taylor Mali’s poem using lines from other poet’s poems is a long-standing tradition. something he’s been doing for the better part of fifteen years. when people get less uptight about themselves for five seconds theyd get the point of the idea, which is one of tribute.

- As far as who he taught, im sure those children who were actually well-off were deserving of your generalization. as they chose which womb to be born into, and chose to be wealthy, they certainly didnt deserve the care and attention Taylor gave them. For example, you chose the last name Knoske, and i chose to be a person who could later in life highlight how asinine your comments are. when you’re half as loved and respected as Taylor is by the folks who know him best, call me.

By: Melissa Harris

Melissa Harris — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:41:47 +0000

To Alexadre Knoske:
As a poet who has been in the company of Mr. Mali, I must say you are speaking completely out of line. He is an amazing write/poet who I have the most respect for. It is an honor for poets to hear their words by another poet in a venue such as Nationals. It also exhibits talent! You have no clue of what you are talking about, nor where he teaches or a “trust fund” is ANY of your business!! Grow up and do something constructive that changes our world for the better.
Melissa
POET

By: Beth Mullen

Beth Mullen — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:35:38 +0000

As A. Knoske’s glaringly narrow, small-minded comments prove, we are in desperate need of teachers who open us to the outside world. Do we really want to pull a discussion of the delicious irony of plagiarizing a poem on teaching into some kind of private-vs-public school rant? Really? In the words of the immortal Elvis Presley, “All this aggravation ain’t satisfactioning me.”