Boston will soon have a new taxpayer-funded poet. .Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's office recently tapped Ghanaian-American educator Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah, who goes by they/them pronouns in the mayor's press release, as the city's next Poet Laureate.Oppong-Yeboah will take over as the Boston Poet Laureate and fill the position for four years. Oppong-Yeboah is a librarian at Joseph Lee K-8 School in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. The man will replace Jamaica Plain resident Porsha Olayiwola as the city's Poet Laureate.Boston's Poet Laureate is a paid position. Oppong-Yeboah will receive $5,000 a year for it. The city spends an additional $20,000 for "Programmatic and administrative expenses" associated with the program, according to the city's web site.“I am very excited to serve the City of Boston in this role,” Oppong-Yeboah said in a press release from the mayor's office. “In so much of life I feel a profound sense of indebtedness to those who have done the work before me. No less so here. Boston's two most recent poet laureates, Porsha Olayiwola and Danielle Georges, have created so much space in this city for the flourishing of poetry and poets, and I am grateful to them and eager to expand on their work.”’Mayor Wu congratulated the librarian on the selection.“I'm honored to announce Emmanuel as Boston’s next Poet Laureate. Their voice, vision, and deep commitment to community will inspire and amplify our city’s voices over the next four years,” Wu said in the press release, using the plural pronound "their" to refer to him. “In a time where we need to challenge, uplift, and connect, I'm proud to know that Emmanuel will carry out this role with care for our communities.”However, some question the need for a taxpayer-funded poet and the message it sends to Boston residents.Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance executive director Paul Craney told NewBostonPost via email that the position is a waste of money."$25,000 might not seem like a large amount in the context of Boston’s overall budget, but it speaks volumes about the city’s priorities that they are pushing this at a time when it is facing major financial challenges,” Craney wrote. “Boston is facing a billion-dollar budget deficit, yet instead of tightening its belt, it's lobbying Beacon Hill for the authority to massively raise property taxes on already struggling commercial properties. "Taxpayers should be asking why city leaders are finding money for feel-good programs while simultaneously trying to push through massive tax hikes," he added. "It’s a question of priorities, and right now, Mayor Wu and City Hall seem more focused on poetry than keeping their city an affordable place to live and do business."The Boston Poet Laureate is a ceremonial position; the poet attends events throughout the city to promote literature and poetry."The chosen poet will be a significant fixture in Boston's cultural and artistic arena," the city's web site says. "The Poet Laureate may learn, teach, and embody the great literary traditions of Boston."Oppong-Yeboah wants to use the position to promote poetry in Boston Public Schools and Poston Public Library, the press release said.The mayor's press office could not be reached for comment.
Boston will soon have a new taxpayer-funded poet. .Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's office recently tapped Ghanaian-American educator Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah, who goes by they/them pronouns in the mayor's press release, as the city's next Poet Laureate.Oppong-Yeboah will take over as the Boston Poet Laureate and fill the position for four years. Oppong-Yeboah is a librarian at Joseph Lee K-8 School in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. The man will replace Jamaica Plain resident Porsha Olayiwola as the city's Poet Laureate.Boston's Poet Laureate is a paid position. Oppong-Yeboah will receive $5,000 a year for it. The city spends an additional $20,000 for "Programmatic and administrative expenses" associated with the program, according to the city's web site.“I am very excited to serve the City of Boston in this role,” Oppong-Yeboah said in a press release from the mayor's office. “In so much of life I feel a profound sense of indebtedness to those who have done the work before me. No less so here. Boston's two most recent poet laureates, Porsha Olayiwola and Danielle Georges, have created so much space in this city for the flourishing of poetry and poets, and I am grateful to them and eager to expand on their work.”’Mayor Wu congratulated the librarian on the selection.“I'm honored to announce Emmanuel as Boston’s next Poet Laureate. Their voice, vision, and deep commitment to community will inspire and amplify our city’s voices over the next four years,” Wu said in the press release, using the plural pronound "their" to refer to him. “In a time where we need to challenge, uplift, and connect, I'm proud to know that Emmanuel will carry out this role with care for our communities.”However, some question the need for a taxpayer-funded poet and the message it sends to Boston residents.Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance executive director Paul Craney told NewBostonPost via email that the position is a waste of money."$25,000 might not seem like a large amount in the context of Boston’s overall budget, but it speaks volumes about the city’s priorities that they are pushing this at a time when it is facing major financial challenges,” Craney wrote. “Boston is facing a billion-dollar budget deficit, yet instead of tightening its belt, it's lobbying Beacon Hill for the authority to massively raise property taxes on already struggling commercial properties. "Taxpayers should be asking why city leaders are finding money for feel-good programs while simultaneously trying to push through massive tax hikes," he added. "It’s a question of priorities, and right now, Mayor Wu and City Hall seem more focused on poetry than keeping their city an affordable place to live and do business."The Boston Poet Laureate is a ceremonial position; the poet attends events throughout the city to promote literature and poetry."The chosen poet will be a significant fixture in Boston's cultural and artistic arena," the city's web site says. "The Poet Laureate may learn, teach, and embody the great literary traditions of Boston."Oppong-Yeboah wants to use the position to promote poetry in Boston Public Schools and Poston Public Library, the press release said.The mayor's press office could not be reached for comment.
