The right to be yourself

"The poem is misinterpreted as a promotion of homosexuality. Actually, it is a promotion of frankness . about any subject. if you're a foot fetishist, you write about feet. A stock market freak can write about the rising sales curve of the erection of the standard oils chart. When a few people are frank about homosexuality it breaks the ice and then people are free to be frank about anything and that is socially useful." 1 hour and 12 minutes into the movie

This final moment in the movie is extremely significant because it is when Ginsberg is able to explain what his poem is meant for. Ginsberg believes that his poem is to shake things up and get the idea out that people should be able to be themselves. Being homosexual in the 50's was extremely difficult. Ginsberg felt ostracized and thought that he could not connect with and be loved by someone because he is homosexual. Ginsberg realized that he is able to truly express who he is through poetry. Through poetry people could finally understand him and his issues with himself and society. Howl illustrates the conformist pressure that is forced upon people in many societies. Howl also shows the destructive nature of this pressure as well as the ecstasy that is associated with being yourself and why being yourself is important..
It is very easy to confuse the true meaning of Howl because it is so complex. In the above line Ginsberg sums it up perfectly that he never mean for his poem to be advocating homosexuality. Ginsberg just wanted to express who he is and wanted to "break the ice" and inspire other people to truly express who they are.

Do you think banning the book gives Howl more significance and credibility? How has the use of crude language made this poem more less effective to the reader? How do people move forward to make society a place where we can be free to express who we are?