On Remembering Amiri Baraka
I remember when Amiri Baraka came to Syracuse University for a lecture. It was a big deal that he was coming, and many students realized this. The place was packed and we were hanging on every word he spoke. This was also the first time I heard him perform his poem, “Somebody Blew Up America.” This poem was written in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001. The poem was pure fire! There was obvious controversy, but no one dared say anything to him that night. Baraka was unapologetic anyway… as always.
When I wrote “Can a Poem Kill?” back in my senior year of college, there were three artists who I cited as my influences for that poem: Nikki Giovanni, Audre Lorde, and Amiri Baraka. Without artists like Amiri Baraka, other artists would not have a framework to create art that could speak unapologetic truth to power. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to meet him for the brief moment we shared that evening all those years ago.
Rest Peacefully, Amiri Baraka.
For more on Amiri Baraka’s legacy, check out this article on NPR: Amiri Baraka’s Legacy Both Controversial And Achingly Beautiful
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