Full Breakdown
Calgary Student Barred from Reciting Poem on Unwanted Advances
3/2/2026, 11:02:43 AM
Incident Overview: Censorship in Poetry Competition
Josephine Trigg, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student from the Calgary Catholic School District, has been prohibited from reciting the poem "Dick Pics" by Kingston, Ontario poet Sarah Tsiang at a regional poetry competition. Trigg, who has participated in the "Poetry in Voice" competition since her sophomore year, aimed to highlight issues of sexual assault and harassment through her choice of poem. The decision to bar her from reciting the piece came after the school’s vice-principal expressed concerns about its appropriateness, despite prior approval from her English teacher.
Background: The Poem's Significance
"Dick Pics" addresses the pervasive issue of unwanted sexual advances, particularly focusing on the experiences of women and girls. Tsiang wrote the poem after her daughter’s friend received unsolicited explicit images from strangers. The poem's candid exploration of this topic aims to challenge the power dynamics associated with such advances, using humor to diminish their impact. Tsiang noted that the poem reflects a mother's concern for her daughter in a world where such incidents are common.
Official Statements & Responses
The Calgary Catholic School District released a statement emphasizing its responsibility to ensure that content shared in schools aligns with the values of its faith-based community. They clarified that the decision to restrict Trigg's recitation was based on the language used in the poem, rather than the importance of the subject matter. Tsiang expressed disappointment over the censorship, stating, "If you censor the words, you're censoring the message. You can't detach one from the other."
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the school's decision argue that censoring the poem undermines its message about a critical social issue. Trigg herself has voiced her frustration, indicating that the poem's content is essential for raising awareness about the realities many girls face. She hopes that public pressure might lead the school to reconsider its stance and allow her to perform Tsiang's work.
What's Next: Future Actions
In light of the controversy, Trigg has submitted an alternate poem for the upcoming regional round of the Poetry in Voice competition. However, she remains hopeful that advocacy from the community may prompt the school to reverse its decision regarding "Dick Pics."
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can’t hear this poem and not be listening to the message, not be listening to the words,” — Josephine Trigg, Student
- “If you censor the words, you're censoring the message,” — Josephine Trigg, Student
- “It’s really about the mother’s relationship with her daughter and how alienating it is to live in a world which you don’t know what is getting sent to your child,” — Sarah Tsiang, Poet
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between educational institutions' values and the necessity of addressing critical social issues through art and literature.
