# Amiri Baraka

> African-American writer (1934–2014)

**Wikidata**: [Q354783](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q354783)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiri_Baraka)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amiri-baraka

## Summary

Amiri Baraka was born on October 7, 1934, in Newark and died there on January 9, 2014, due to surgical complications [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][11]. A citizen of the United States, he worked as a poet, writer, playwright, screenwriter, music critic, and journalist [10][14]. His religious affiliation was Islam .Baraka attended Howard University, Columbia University, Rutgers University, and The New School for his education . He was employed by the University at Buffalo, Stony Brook University, and San Francisco State University . His professional fields included jazz, literature, drama, and poetry [15]. He was associated with the Beat Generation, Black Arts Movement, and New Communist Movement .His spouses were Hettie Jones, whom he married from 1958 to 1964, and Amina Baraka, whom he married from 1966 to 2014 . He had three children: Lisa Jones, Kellie Jones, and Dominique di Prima . His accolades included a Guggenheim Fellowship, Langston Hughes Medal, National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, American Book Awards, and induction into the Black Literary Hall of Fame [16][17].

## Summary
Amiri Baraka (1934–2014) was an influential African-American writer, poet, playwright, and activist whose work shaped American literature and cultural discourse. He is best known for his leadership in the Black Arts Movement and his incisive contributions to poetry, drama, and political commentary.

## Biography
- Born: October 7, 1934, in Newark, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality: American
- Education:
  - Attended Howard University (1950s)
  - Studied at Columbia University
  - Rutgers University
  - The New School
  - University at Buffalo
  - Stony Brook University
  - San Francisco State University
- Known for: Pioneering the Black Arts Movement, influential poetry, plays, essays, and music criticism
- Employer(s):
  - Howard University
  - Columbia University
  - Rutgers University
  - The New School
  - University at Buffalo
  - Stony Brook University
  - San Francisco State University
- Field(s): Literature, poetry, drama, music criticism, education, activism

## Contributions
Amiri Baraka made significant contributions across literature, education, and cultural activism:
- **Poetry**: Published numerous volumes of poetry that explored themes of Black identity, political resistance, and urban life. His work is recognized for its raw emotional power and linguistic innovation.
- **Plays**: Authored groundbreaking plays such as *Dutchman* (1964), which won an Obie Award and is considered a classic of African-American theater.
- **Essays and Criticism**: Wrote extensively on music and culture, including works like *Blues People* (1963), which examined the role of African Americans in shaping American music.
- **Activism and the Black Arts Movement**: Co-founded the Black Arts Movement, a cultural nationalist movement that sought to create art rooted in the Black experience. He established the Black Arts Repertory Theatre/School in Harlem.
- **Education**: Taught at multiple universities, shaping the academic discourse on African-American literature and culture.
- **Publications**: Authored seminal works including *The Autobiography of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka* (1989) and *Tales of the Out & the Gone* (2007).

## FAQs
### What is Amiri Baraka known for?
Amiri Baraka is best known for his role in founding the Black Arts Movement and for his influential body of work spanning poetry, drama, essays, and music criticism. His writings often addressed themes of race, politics, and cultural identity in America.

### Where did Amiri Baraka work or teach?
Baraka worked and taught at several institutions, including Howard University, Columbia University, Rutgers University, The New School, University at Buffalo, Stony Brook University, and San Francisco State University. He was also involved in cultural organizations and theater groups.

### What were Amiri Baraka’s major literary works?
Some of his major works include the play *Dutchman* (1964), the essay collection *Blues People* (1963), and autobiographical writings like *The Autobiography of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka* (1989). His poetry and critical writings remain widely studied.

### What awards did Amiri Baraka receive?
Baraka received several honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, American Book Awards, and induction into the Black Literary Hall of Fame. His work continues to be celebrated for its cultural and literary significance.

### What was the Black Arts Movement?
The Black Arts Movement was a cultural nationalist movement co-founded by Amiri Baraka in the 1960s. It emphasized the creation of art that reflected the Black experience in America and aimed to empower African-American artists and communities.

## Why They Matter
Amiri Baraka fundamentally transformed American literature and cultural discourse by centering Black voices and experiences. His work laid the foundation for the Black Arts Movement, which influenced generations of writers, artists, and activists. Without Baraka’s leadership, the landscape of African-American literature and cultural expression would be vastly different. His writings continue to inspire scholars, artists, and political thinkers, making him a pivotal figure in 20th-century American culture.

## Notable For
- Founding the Black Arts Movement, a cornerstone of African-American cultural nationalism
- Writing the Obie Award-winning play *Dutchman* (1964)
- Serving as Poet Laureate of New Jersey (2002–2008)
- Publishing influential works such as *Blues People* (1963) and *The Autobiography of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka* (1989)
- Receiving prestigious awards including the Guggenheim Fellowship and American Book Awards
- Being inducted into the Black Literary Hall of Fame
- Teaching at major institutions such as Howard University, Columbia University, and San Francisco State University
- Advocating for Black cultural identity through his writings and public life

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Amiri Baraka, born Everett LeRoi Jones on October 7, 1934, in Newark, New Jersey, was a pioneering African-American writer. He attended Howard University before transferring to Columbia University, where he began his literary career. He later studied at Rutgers University, The New School, University at Buffalo, Stony Brook University, and San Francisco State University, developing a deep engagement with literature, music, and political thought.

### Career and Literary Contributions
Baraka’s career spanned multiple genres and roles:
- **Poet**: He published numerous poetry collections that explored Black identity, urban struggle, and political resistance. His work is noted for its linguistic innovation and emotional intensity.
- **Playwright**: His play *Dutchman* (1964) won an Obie Award and remains a classic of African-American theater. It critically examined race relations in the United States.
- **Essayist and Music Critic**: His essay collection *Blues People* (1963) analyzed the role of African Americans in shaping American music. He also wrote extensively on jazz and cultural criticism.
- **Activist**: Baraka co-founded the Black Arts Repertory Theatre/School in Harlem, a central institution of the Black Arts Movement. He used his platform to advocate for Black cultural and political empowerment.

### The Black Arts Movement
Baraka was a central figure in the Black Arts Movement, which emerged in the 1960s. This movement sought to create art rooted in the Black experience and aimed to empower African-American communities. Baraka’s work in this movement influenced a generation of artists and writers, shaping the trajectory of African-American literature.

### Academic and Institutional Affiliations
Baraka taught at several institutions:
- **Howard University**: Where he began his academic journey.
- **Columbia University**: Contributed to the intellectual development of his early career.
- **Rutgers University**: Engaged in literary and cultural studies.
- **The New School**: Participated in progressive academic circles.
- **University at Buffalo**: Continued his exploration of African-American literature.
- **Stony Brook University**: Furthered his academic and literary work.
- **San Francisco State University**: Engaged with the university’s pioneering ethnic studies programs.

### Publications and Major Works
Baraka’s body of work includes:
- *Blues People* (1963): A seminal work on the role of African Americans in American music.
- *Dutchman* (1964): An Obie Award-winning play that critically examines race in America.
- *The Autobiography of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka* (1989): A personal and political reflection on his life and work.
- *Tales of the Out & the Gone* (2007): A collection of essays and reflections.

### Awards and Recognition
Baraka received numerous honors:
- **Guggenheim Fellowship**: Recognized his contributions to literature.
- **American Book Awards**: Acknowledged his literary excellence.
- **Black Literary Hall of Fame**: Inducted for his lasting impact on African-American literature.

### Legacy and Influence
Amiri Baraka’s legacy is profound. He transformed American literature by centering Black voices and experiences. His influence extends beyond his written works to the cultural movements he helped shape. His writings continue to inspire scholars, artists, and political thinkers, affirming his role as a pivotal figure in American cultural history.

## References

1. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
2. [Source](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)
3. BnF authorities
4. Integrated Authority File
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [Source](http://www.fightbacknews.org/2014/1/12/reflections-amiri-baraka)
7. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/32396)
8. African American Dramatists
9. [Source](https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/lhf/medallion-recipients)
10. [Source](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-12-10-9905150038-story.html)
11. BlackPast.org
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. CiNii Research
14. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/1903.1/1516)
15. [Source](https://findingaids.library.columbia.edu/ead/nnc-rb/ldpd_6909686)
16. [Source](https://dh.howard.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?params=/context/finaid_manu/article/1269/&path_info=Guide_to_the_Amiri_Baraka_papers.pdf)
17. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
18. SNAC
19. Find a Grave
20. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
21. Discogs
22. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
23. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
24. Proleksis Encyclopedia
25. Munzinger Personen
26. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
27. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/sound/baraka.html)
28. [Source](https://furiousflower.org/all-poets/)
29. [Source](https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/ffpc-2004/3/)
30. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb11885695q)
31. CONOR.SI
32. Autoritats UB
33. BBC Things
34. MusicBrainz
35. [LIBRIS. 2012](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/khwzzmq307jx8n6)
36. [Source](https://collections.carlos.emory.edu/people/24012/)
37. The Movie Database