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Baraka poetry found offensive
By Elizabeth Turnbull
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Acclaimed poet, political activist, lecturer. Impressive résumé. Knowing this much, and only this much, I went to see Amiri Baraka March 1. What I didn’t know however, was that I was going to hear words of disgust, hate and violence spewed at people on the basis of race and socioeconomic status. Had I known that much, I probably would have opted not to attend. So perhaps my ignorance was provincial. The rest of the evening was most enjoyable.

I heard excellent poetry by students and members of the community, and the performance of Nocturnal Collective was worth the trip. But I was saddened and hurt by Baraka’s words of hatred, calling for violence against the oppressors, whom he identified as Whites and the Rich.

I had expected more.

I had expected more from a man who is obviously well-educated and well-respected. I had expected more than the base hatred that already rules so much of our world.

"To kill the enemy is preserving oneself," Baraka said in reference to those who display the Confederate Flag.

While I don’t believe that the Confederate Flag should be displayed, I do not believe that people should be killed for displaying it.

I was reminded by a friend that it’s important to keep in mind that Baraka’s view is not solely based on skin color. Baraka is a Third World Marxist, and as such, he is a revolutionary who fights for the working class, who opposes the rich.

However, it is still no better to call for people’s death based on their yearly income!

Calling for more hatred and more violence will only divide us further.

I considered whether or not I should even write this editorial since I am the Old Gold and Black’s Arts & Entertainment Editor and the one reviewing the performance. But after much deliberation, I decided that I can successfully fulfill both tasks. I did my best to write a fair and unbiased review based on his performance, leaving room for readers to form their own opinions about Mr. Baraka.

His views are extreme, no doubt. He calls the democracy of this nation a farce and President George W. Bush a mo’fo who stole the election. Extreme? Most definitely. Offensive? Possibly. Illegal? Not at all.

Fortunately for Baraka, we have come a long way since the McCarthy hearings.

Irony set in to Baraka’s political statements as he criticized this nation and that for which it stands while failing to mention the very entity that allows such speech: the Constitution, the cornerstone of our country.

Baraka cited Fidel Castro as a great hero who "actually did it" who "seized power." If Baraka were to go to Cuba, however, and call Castro a mo’fo who stole his position of power, he wouldn’t do it twice.

This nation is not perfect, no. But it is not so bad as Baraka says.

I respect his right to speak his political views. I do not respect his choice to spout hatred and advocate violence. Our nation is divided enough as is. In this time of struggle, we need to bind together, not kill one another based on material or physical attributes. The color of one’s skin or one’s place in society is no call for death. Hate and prejudice are wrong. Period.