Analysis Of Totally Like Whatever, You Know? By Taylor Mali

The following response comes from the poem “ Totally Like Whatever, You Know?” by Taylor Mali. In this poem, Mali talks about how our society is becoming more cautious and uncertain in stating their opinion by saying the words “like” or “you know”. He wants to know why people do not speak proudly anymore, basically stating everything they say in a question when it shouldn’t be. It seems that we see more and more people always looking for a second opinion and closure to things they actually already know the answer too. Which leads me to the main idea of the poem, which is how the author is urging our generation to stand by our beliefs and opinions by speaking with passion. If you are going to talk, talk with Authority! Mali says “it is not enough

these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY. / You have to speak with it, too. (Mali 38-39). The main idea is summed up in these two lines stating that we all need to talk with confidence and passion, always standing behind what we say. I agree with Mali because I can relate to what he has to say. Sometimes I say “like” or “you know” without even realizing it, but after reading this poem, I want to change that about my speaking skills. I want to show society that I speak with conviction, no matter what my opinion is. Even our First Amendment encourages us to speak with passion by stating we have the right to freedom of speech, so why should we not take advantage of this basic liberty, and speak without ever second guessing ourselves by saying those words? We can all listen to Mali’s words and start standing firm behind our opinions.