Amiri Baraka (1934-2014): Poet-Playwright-Activist Who Shaped Revolutionary Politics, Black Culture

Democracy Now!
Democracy Now!
66,662
0
Published 2014-01-10
www.democracynow.org/ - We spend the hour looking at the life and legacy of Amiri Baraka, the poet, playwright and political organizer who died Thursday at the age of 79. Baraka was a leading force in the black arts movement of the 1960s and 1970s. In 1963 he published "Blues People: Negro Music in White America," known as the first major history of black music to be written by an African American. A year later he published a collection of poetry titled "The Dead Lecturer" and won an Obie Award for his play, "Dutchman." After the assassination of Malcolm X in 1965 he moved to Harlem and founded the Black Arts Repertory Theater. In the late 1960s, Baraka moved back to his hometown of Newark and began focusing more on political organizing, prompting the FBI to identify him as "the person who will probably emerge as the leader of the pan-African movement in the United States." Baraka continued writing and performing poetry up until his hospitalization late last year, leaving behind a body of work that greatly influenced a younger generation of hip-hop artists and slam poets. We are joined by four of Baraka's longtime comrades and friends: Sonia Sanchez, a renowned writer, poet, playwright and activist; Felipe Luciano, a poet, activist, journalist and writer who was an original member of the poetry and musical group The Last Poets; Komozi Woodard, a professor of history at Sarah Lawrence College and author of "A Nation Within a Nation: Amiri Baraka and Black Power Politics"; and Larry Hamm, chairman of the People's Organization for Progress in Newark, New Jersey.

Please consider supporting independent media by making a donation to Democracy Now! today, visit owl.li/ruJ5Q.

Democracy Now!, is an independent global news hour that airs weekdays on 1,200+ TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch it live 8-9am ET at www.democracynow.org/.

FOLLOW DEMOCRACY NOW! ONLINE:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/democracynow
Twitter: @democracynow
Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/democracynow
Listen on SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/democracynow
Daily Email News Digest: www.democracynow.org/subscribe
Google+: plus.google.com/+DemocracyNow
Instagram: instagram.com/democracynow
Tumblr: democracynow.tumblr/

Please consider supporting independent media by making a donation to Democracy Now! today, visit www.democracynow.org/donate/YT
All Comments (21)
  • @williamgunijos5120
    For those records heads whom maybe unfamiliar with all of his efforts, as i am, he served as an inspiration to younger cats striving to develop their literary works. He as well as stanely crouch made me want to dig strictly for the liner notes. Thank you for this post. Sincerely.
  • @arthurpfister3384
    When I was 18 years old I played Walker Vessels in his play The Slave (1968). his work enlightened my life.
  • @fieldlab4
    Fantastic. Baraka only becomes more relevant with time.
  • @DiffySmooth
    First few photos of him speaking are at Gary West Side High School in Gary, Indiana.
  • @ladonnafoster-hayes7297
    R.I.P Mr. Baraka. He made me unapologetically proud to be from Newark. And shame on you Newark Public Schools. Mr. Baraka's work should be embedded in your curriculum. That's right, I said it.
  • @Subscribeordie.
    Amiri Baraka Was my great grandfather, he died the year I was born I’m going to be nine this year on October 7. I’m gonna let off a balloon and it will say come back to us.😢😢😢
  • @crushlies
    He will be missed and is much loved.
  • @slittlejohnjr
    RIP Amiri Baraka.  From one Native of Newark to another :)
  • @romemiller5349
    My all time favorite !...I carry the torch " Eternal Flame"
  • @zachtrapper2398
    How do revolutionaries such as Baraka or Malcom X make money?
  • @hermenutic
    He carried the 'Beat' torch without fail to the end. The 'Beat'destiny of the human spirit. Who will carry the torch on? It is sad to see the old guard pass now hope resides in the future guard. Maybe that's good. We'll see.
  • @jamesjoyce9204
    Baraka is the baddest figure in black literature on the 20th century. He should have won a Nobel Prize but I guess he's too controversial for the old men in Sweden and Norway. They'd rather give it to an unappreciated songwriter named Dylan. Songwriter!? Come on old men. Your standards have certainly been lowered to the common and simple with this award.
  • @aclark1197
    I was in school trying to learn trying to escape COVID.