that it was cause for them to suspect that Amiri helped formulate the riot. This battle ended in a conviction for Baraka, which was later overturned in an appeal (Poetry 3). After this incident, Baraka joined the Black Panthers, and supported other Black Power groups (Amiri 1).While the court trial was happening, Baraka wrote a poem called “SOS” (Meyer 1077). “SOS” was first published at the beginning of a collection of other black-empowering poems in a book called Black Magic. This poem reads like a radio transmission, with many repetitions of lines and phrases. It is specifically written in this form to show the importance of the message Baraka needed to get across. He needed to draw attention to the other poems, a way to bring the reader into the book. The poem expressed the need for blacks to take control of their lives, and be proud of their heritage. However, as time went on his views changed again. He soon realized that it was not only blacks being discriminated against, but all races. He began to read about Marxism and it’s characteristics, and soon adopted the view (Baraka 3). Marxism-Leninism is an ideology that is based on class disputes and the working class versus the upper class. Baraka felt these views were more consistent with all races, and benefited everyone. Through 1972 to 1983, Amiri addressed several issues of race through his poetry, various plays, and speeches. From 1983-1993, he taught writing and African American Literature at Rutgers University, where the decision to deny him tenure caused a student protest. He left Rutgers soon after to teach at the University of New York, Stony Brook (Young 3). Today, he is a critic, poet, playwright, and activist. He has appeared in movies, such as Bulworth, and tours colleges and universities giving lectures. Writing has empowered Baraka, and has given him rule over himself. He once saidMy writing reflects my own growth and e...
