Amiri Baraka, formerly known as Leroi Jones, (born October 7, 1934) is a controversial American writer of poetry, drama, essays, and music criticism.
Baraka was born Everett LeRoi Jones in Newark, New Jersey, where he attended Barringer High School. His father, Gearld Roi Jones, worked as a postal supervisor and lift operator, and his mother, Anna Lois (née Russ), was a social worker. In 1967 he adopted the African name Imamu Amear Baraka, which ...
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Amiri Baraka, formerly known as Leroi Jones, (born October 7, 1934) is a controversial American writer of poetry, drama, essays, and music criticism.
Baraka was born Everett LeRoi Jones in Newark, New Jersey, where he attended Barringer High School. His father, Gearld Roi Jones, worked as a postal supervisor and lift operator, and his mother, Anna Lois (née Russ), was a social worker. In 1967 he adopted the African name Imamu Amear Baraka, which he later changed to Amiri Baraka.
Baraka studied philosophy and religious studies at Rutgers University, Columbia University and Howard University without obtaining a degree. In 1954 he joined the US Air Force, reaching the rank of sergeant.
After an anonymous letter to his commanding officer accusing him of being a communist led to the discovery of Soviet writings, Baraka was put on kitchen duty and given a dishonorable discharge for violation of his oath of duty.
The same year he moved to Greenwich Village working initially in a warehouse...
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