Recently, a poem called "Late Youth" caused an uproar in the literary circle.
The poem was written by Yang Qingxiang, a professor at the School of Literature at the Chinese People's University and vice chairman of the Beijing Writers Association, but it has been controversial because of its content and expression. This incident not only triggered people's deep thinking about contemporary poetry creation, but also sparked a heated discussion about the ethics of academic circles.
Professor Yang Qingxiang has long been regarded as an "authority" in the literary world, and his works have won many literary awards. However, the poems published in Wuhan's "Fangcao Literary Magazine" this time were a big surprise. The poem is full of obscure imagery and puzzling expressions, as well as some uncomfortable descriptions, which provoke a strong response from the reader.
The poem begins with sentences such as "I really forgot the first time" to show an emotional development from unfamiliarity to intimacy. Subsequently, puzzling descriptions such as "long and thick hair wrapped around the green demon" appeared, and while some people thought it was a compliment to women, others questioned the appropriateness of such expressions.
What is even more unacceptable is the appearance of the sentence "Distant China is a tail" in the poem. This formulation of the motherland as a "tail" has sparked widespread controversy. Many people believe that such expressions are inappropriate and may even have a derogatory connotation of the motherland, regardless of the purpose of creation.
Some commentators have pointed out that Professor Yang's poetry seems to have been profoundly influenced by Western postmodernist thought. This influence has led to a large number of fragmented, inverted expressions in poetry. However, it is obviously worth pondering whether this expression is suitable for contemporary Chinese poetry creation and whether it can be accepted by the majority of readers.
What is even more worrying is that such a controversial poem can be published in a literary magazine that enjoys the "treatment of a second-class institution". This raises the question of whether the editors of contemporary literary magazines still adhere to the professional ethics they should have. Or is it okay to publish any work recklessly just because the author is a well-known professor and vice president of the writers' association?
This event also provoked people to think about the contemporary literary creation environment. In the pursuit of artistic innovation, have we neglected the social responsibility of literary works? Is it too much to pursue "unconventionality" and ignore respect for traditional culture and values?
Some commentators have pointed out that while freedom is needed for literary creation, this freedom should not override basic morals and values. Especially for public figures like Professor Yang, whose works often have a profound impact on the younger generation, it is even more important to be cautious and pay attention to the social impact of their words and deeds.
At the same time, this incident also exposed some problems in the current literary judgment system. Relying solely on title and status to obtain opportunities for publication is obviously not conducive to the healthy development of literary creation. We need to establish a more fair and transparent literary evaluation mechanism, so that truly excellent works can be given the attention they deserve.
In addition, the incident has also sparked a discussion about the ethics of university teachers. As a professor at Renmin University, Yang Qingxiang's words and deeds represent not only the individual, but also the school and the education community to a certain extent. Whether this controversial creation is in line with the ethical standards expected of teachers is clearly worthy of in-depth consideration by the education authorities.
This turmoil is not only a shock in the literary world, but also a profound reflection on today's cultural ecology. It reminds us that while artistic innovation is important, literary creation should shoulder the heavy responsibility of shaping social values. Only in this way can the flower of literature truly bloom and inject vitality into social progress.
In this sea of information, we need to develop the ability to think independently and not be fooled by so-called authority and reputation. Let us polish our eyes, illuminate the way forward with the light of reason, and work together to create a pure cultural fertile soil. On this fertile soil, let truth, kindness and beauty grow freely and bloom into a gorgeous flower of humanity.