In the most recent publication of the Academic Advocate, I was shocked to find a poem by a young man that was filled with hate and ignorance. The “I Am” poem was entitled “Hippies & Hobos.”

Hippies haven’t been around for over 30 years. Hippies weren’t dirty or lacking in personal hygiene. Hippies were “hip” to the problems in our society, and they were counter to the culture. The people that I knew who were hippies in the 1960s have had children, complete college degrees, graduate degrees, cut their hair, adopted conservative style of dress and are now doctors, lawyers, teachers and business managers.

Hobos are largely people who have dropped out of our society and are homeless transients. There are many reasons why people become homeless and transient. Many alcoholics and mentally ill people find themselves in this situation. These people don’t deserve hate, they deserve love and help.

The writer of this hateful poem says that hippies stink and he wants to teach them about personal hygiene. Where and when did the writer ever met a hippie? The writer wants to find jobs for hobos so they don’t crowd the streets. Are there hobos crowding our streets? Who taught this child to hate like this?

Such ignorance and hate should have never found its way into that publication.

Judson Duncan, Monmouth

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