Amiri Baraka, former N.J. poet laureate and prolific author, dead at 79

[Blue_Tires]

Amiri Baraka, former N.J. poet laureate and prolific author, dead at 79

NEWARK — Amiri Baraka, the longtime activist and former poet laureate of New Jersey died today, officials confirmed. He was 79 years old.

Baraka was placed in intensive care at Beth Israel Medical Center last month for an unknown reason, but a spokesman for his son's mayoral campaign said his condition was improving late in December.

Newark Mayor Luis Quintana said Baraka will be sorely missed.

"I went to visit him at the hospital about two weeks ago," Quintana said by phone. "He was more than poet he was a leader in his own right. He's going to be missed and our condolences go out to his family today."

Quintana recalled Baraka's role in the 1970 Black and Puerto Rican convention, a landmark political meeting that resulted in the election of Ken Gibson, Newark's first black mayor.

"We're going to remember him always for his contributions to Newark, New Jersey and America," Quintana said. "In this time of pain, the citizens of Newark and I are with him."


Baraka had long struggled with diabetes, but it was not immediately clear what the cause of death was.

A Newark native and resident formerly known as Leroi Jones, Amiri Baraka has published dozens of poems, essays and works of non-fiction. In 1963 Amiri Baraka wrote "Blues People," an in-depth history of music from the time of slavery throughout the various incarnations of blues and jazz, with integrated social commentary. The book's 50th anniversary was recently celebrated during an event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2014/01/hold_hold_hold_amiri_baraka_former_nj_poet_laureate_and_prolific_author_dead_at_79.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024306417

[TheBlackAdder]

1. The DUTCHMAN, one of the best plays to read. Do a cold read, without researching it first.

RIP Amiri Baraka

[2banon]

5. Ok. I'll put it on my read list. thnx..

[TheBlackAdder]

7. Read it in one sitting, without prior knowledge. The most traumatic thing I've read.

It impacted the whole play analysis class the same way. Everyone was shocked.

If you get the info about it first, that will be the spoiler.

[shenmue]

2. Rest in peace

[gwheezie]

3. A very generous and kind man,rip

I grew up in Newark and met Amiri Baraka during the Kawaida towers days, I attended a writers conference, I was a teenager and had the nerve that only comes with youth to think I could save up babysitting money and attend this conference. Anyway, Mr Baraka was extremely kind to me and spoke with me over a several hours and it was memorable to me because even decades later the memory stands out as one of the influential experiences in my life,we talked about writing, poetry and activism, he was one of the guiding lights leading me to my own political activism.

[2banon]

6. awesome testimony, thanks for sharing

[2banon]

4. R.I.P. So sorry to read this..

He will be missed..