Baraka is considered a talented, yet controversial individual who devoted his life towards the Black Arts Literary movement and achieving equal power for blacks. Many of his writings are violent, disturbing, and even deemed to go "too far." Yet, when NPR host asked him if he had any regrets, Baraka replied "I don't have regrets about writing the poem. Because the poem was true" (in regards to "Somebody Blew Up America"). Many of his poems' content seems offensive, but to Baraka they were all deeply rooted in honesty. After reading many of Baraka's writings, I realized you can't read one and come to an understanding or judgment. You must read a wide range of poems, preferably over the years, to pick up on his honesty, exaggeration, - and at many times - sarcasm. Baraka addresses topics that many writers edge away from, so it's important to understand that issues of racial violence, embedded racism, and discrimination can be difficult to comprehend and take in. In order to read some of Baraka's poems, it's necessary to maintain clarity and assess the piece as a whole, which can be a difficult task at times.
Review: “All This Pain Is Necessary,” Amiri Baraka’s “SOS: Poems 1961-2013” by Nick Sturm
Amiri Baraka is Back in the Building by Curtis Fox
Writer Amiri Baraka and the Endless Controversies
Harmony Holiday on Baraka
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xEw8Y_RoMO-2I6RNFKnD1PJmbTwr8I4d
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