SOMEBODY BLEW UP AMERICA

When I was studying theater in college, we were required to study a 1960s black radical play called "Dutchman" by playwright Leroi Jones. The play was powerful, angry, and just about the most meaningful writing dealing with race that I had ever encountered. I later found out that Jones (who later changed his name to Amiri Baraka and embraced some intense Marxism in the 1970's) was more of a poet than a playwright. In fact, I understand that he was either the only or one of the very few black beat poets--perhaps I was attracted to his work because I somehow sensed the beat/jazz connection without really realizing it. During the mid 1990's I was lucky enough to hear an hour long interview with him on Pacifica radio: his voice is powerful and rhythmic (kind of like a really pissed off Kerouac); he is uncompromising in his radical views--if he doesn't make you hate him, you're bound to love him (because he's kind of an asshole, but in a good way...).

He's recently caused some controversy with his poem "Somebody Blew Up America."

Here's a sample:

"Who do Tom Ass Clarence Work for
Who doo doo come out the Colon's mouth
Who know what kind of Skeeza is a Condoleeza
Who pay Connelly to be a wooden negro
Who give Genius Awards to Homo Locus
Subsidere"

Of course, there's lots more to the poem besides putting Bush's African-Americans in their place; there's something to make everybody cringe a bit, so I highly recommend it. Check it out on his site:

http://www.amiribaraka.com/blew.html

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$