Poets Slam Trump for Firing Librarian Hayden

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    In a recent development, three former U.S. poets laureate have openly criticized the unexpected dismissal of Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, by President Donald Trump. Ada Limรณn, who concluded her tenure as poet laureate last month, along with her predecessors Joy Harjo and Tracy K. Smith, have all expressed their disapproval of this decision, emphasizing Haydenโ€™s significant contributions.

    Ada Limรณn commended Haydenโ€™s dedication to promoting literature and fostering bipartisanship. She voiced her disappointment over the firing, describing it as another instance of the administrationโ€™s harsh actions. โ€œDr. Carla Hayden is the kindest, brightest, most generous Librarian of Congress we could have hoped for as a nation,โ€ Limรณn stated. She highlighted Haydenโ€™s sincere efforts towards inclusivity and expressed her distress over the administrationโ€™s seemingly relentless cruelty. Limรณn urged the public to be vigilant, fearing that past concerns are now becoming a reality.

    The Library of Congress, which traces its origins to Thomas Jeffersonโ€™s personal collection, serves as a crucial repository of the nationโ€™s literary and historical records. Despite her term set to end next year, Hayden was informed of her termination late Thursday, as indicated by an email acquired by news outlets. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, justified the decision by claiming Hayden had not adequately met public needs. The administration pointed to issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and the placement of unsuitable books for children as reasons for her removal.

    Notably, Carla Hayden made history in 2016 as the first woman and African American to be appointed as the Librarian of Congress, a decision confirmed by the Senate. Her appointment by former President Barack Obama positioned her as a progressive figure, often criticized by conservative factions who labeled her as โ€œwokeโ€ and opposed to Trump. Her dismissal follows the administrationโ€™s pattern of targeting cultural institutions in Washington, such as the Kennedy Center and the National Endowment for the Arts.

    Joy Harjo, who functioned as the poet laureate from 2019 to 2022, called Haydenโ€™s firing โ€œshocking news.โ€ Harjo remarked on Haydenโ€™s steadfastness and humor as she responsibly managed a fundamental national institution. She confidently stated that Haydenโ€™s legacy would endure the passage of time. Similarly, Tracy K. Smith, laureate from 2017 to 2019, acclaimed Hayden for her effort to engage communities through the power of poetry. Smith remarked that the abrupt dismissal appears to stifle collective memory and creativity, depriving society of essential cultural resources.