Freewrite Wednesday, Sept. 11 Cyber-Assignment
Today we will listen to Amiri Baraka's poem: Somebody Blew Up America. Here is a link to the performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUEu-pG1HWw
Here is the text with a comment by the author, who was Poet Laureate of the State of New Jersey and because he would not recant his poem, he lost the honorific: http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/poetry-throw-down-conscious-spoken-word/17836-somebody-blew-up-america-amiri-baraka.html
A paper which analyzes the poem: http://cas.umkc.edu/english/publications/youngscholarsinwriting/documents/DEFINITIONRHETORIC.pdf
Read Baraka's response to the request that he resign his post as Poet Laureate, then post your responses here.
If you decide to be anonymous (use student IDs).
Here is the text with a comment by the author, who was Poet Laureate of the State of New Jersey and because he would not recant his poem, he lost the honorific: http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/poetry-throw-down-conscious-spoken-word/17836-somebody-blew-up-america-amiri-baraka.html
A paper which analyzes the poem: http://cas.umkc.edu/english/publications/youngscholarsinwriting/documents/DEFINITIONRHETORIC.pdf
Read Baraka's response to the request that he resign his post as Poet Laureate, then post your responses here.
If you decide to be anonymous (use student IDs).
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 9:41 AM
15 Comments:
Hugo S.
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
10 September 2013
Response to "Somebody Blew up America"
"the side that defines any issue is most capable of gathering support for its argument."
In his paper "Definition Rhetoric in the Amiri Baraka Controversy" Zachary McMahon does not take a position on whether or not Amiri Baraka should resign. Rather, and more profoundly, he performs an analysis of the discussion and frames it in a way that ultimately defines rhetoric in the controversy, and thereby what is not rhetoric, and he does so in such a way that silences black voices and excludes them from the discourse.
Amiri Baraka's supposed anti-semitism was established without any explanation, as though it did not require further analysis. Although this conflation of criticisms of Political Zionism with anti-semitism is not new to me and one which has been acknowledged by the state of Isael itself as a key public relations strategy, it is alarming that Amiri Baraka is immediately taken for granted as an anti-semite by an academic in the field of rhetoric in a paper analyzing responses to his poem which has anti-Zionist undertones. I do not feel the need to address it here in great detail, but criticism of the state of Israel need not be rooted in anti-semitism. In fact, in defining criticism of the state of Israel as anti-semitic, the state of Israel succeeds in "gathering support for its argument" because the state of Israel has positioned itself as being victimized in such conversations.
Another point I found concerning was McMahon's uncritical reception of John Derbyshire's blatantly racist parody poem, which employs timeless racist tropes (calling Baraka an "illiterate moron" and "stupid"), and in mockingly appropriating African American dialect. The parody poem goes so far as to use the racial slur "mau-mau". None of this is acknowledged by McMahon, who vaguely comments on Derbyshire's poem as being an illustrative exercise in rhetoric.
In overlooking race where it did not concern anti-Jewish anti-semitism (or indeed alleged anti-white "reverse racism"), McMahon implicitly establishes an othering dichotomy: the only possible victims are white or Jewish, not black. In establishing this dichotomy, priority is given to white and Jewish voices. In fact, the article scarcely mentions Baraka's own response to the controversy, and so ultimately Amiri's voice is the least heard and is only included to serve as something of a plot device. In this article, it is only white journalists who are capable of rhetoric, and Amiri's belligerent utterances constitute something lesser that is hardly worth analysis.
Michael March
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
10 September 2013
Response to "Somebody Blew up America"
I feel that Baraka has every right to decline the request that he vacate his position of Poet Laureate of the State of New Jersey. If they would have paid more attention to who they were electing in the first place, this wouldn't have happened.
In Zachery McMahon's, "Definition Rhetoric in the Amir Baraka Controversy", it is established that Baraka is anti- semitic. Although, he does this without any further enlightenment, I believe that it is true. I can only guess that he didn't elaborate further on that subject because Amiri's poetry, more than once mentions people of Jewish decent in a derogatory manor. In fact, it seems he is quite infamous for this.
Although, McMahon's analysis of Baraka's poetry is not without fault. McMahon uncritically accepts John Derbyshire's parody poem. In effect, having a double standard of sorts. Allowing one man to do what is not allowed for another to do (Baraka). This fact alone shows bias on Mcmahon's part. Effectively diminishing the credibility of McMahon's analysis.
Hun Kim
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10-10:50
10 September 2013
Response to “Somebody Blew Up America”
In the poem “Somebody Blew up America” by Amiri Baraka, Baraka is describing the various crimes somebody has done to America. However, Baraka makes sure that he does not reveal the person’s name or identity-but rather describes the person through their actions and effects. Baraka portrays this person by repeating the words “who,” throughout the entire poem, and describes this question of “who” by relating it to an owl: “Like an Owl exploding In your life in your brain in your self Like an Owl who know the devil All night, all day if you listen, Like an Owl Exploding in fire.”
Baraka describes some of the actions relating to the civil rights movement, as he mentions famous African American leaders such as W.E.B Dubois, Martin Luther King, and even Malcolm X: “Who make the credit cards Who get the biggest tax cut Who walked out of the Conference Against Racism Who killed Malcolm, Kennedy & his Brother Who killed Dr King, Who would want such a thing? Are they linked to the murder of Lincoln?”
Ivon Pena
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10:00am-10:50am
10 September 2013
Response of “Somebody Blew Up America”
I think Baraka has acted admirably, despite objections, with Somebody Blew up America and Other Poems. Griot or no griot, masked or brutally honest, Baraka has provided a legitimate critique of a problem that has caused many people to be desperate for answers, and he has done it in a way that generalizes from the specific problem to problems as they continue to plague a wide range of people. The book identifies for any intelligent reader the essential elements of the problem. Perhaps Baraka’s agenda lies outside his text, but at least he has given us a text. Text is tradition. Text invariably seems a bit slow and flawed. Baraka has demonstrated sensitivity to community, a watchful eye, an ability to judge critically, a willingness and responsibility in the often difficult affairs of all mankind.
I, myself, was elated to discover and read Amiri Baraka’s 2003 poetry collection Somebody Blew up America and Other Poems, a collection of seven careful pensive longish free verse poems. The book also includes a lengthy introduction to the work of Baraka-Leroy Jones by Kwame Dawes, a 2003 afterword by Baraka rebutting some negative response to the title poem and four rather essential photo collages by Angelo Rombley. The collection was published outside the U.S. by a Caribbean publisher, but judging from ‘about the author’; Baraka can be considered a widely recognized writer to U.S. readers.
I agree with Baraka style and the way he writes his poem. Unlike most poets, it’s not emotionally written based on life experiences in relationships. It’s about truth and reality, and he deliveries it a little controversial, but i respect him because he’s assertive in his words, and very open. Baraka is very plain spoken but as you read more of his poem you understand why his style is very permissive.
Fin Saephan
English1A 8am MTTh
September 11, 2013
Response to "Somebody Blew Up America"
In the poem "Somebody Blew Up America", Amiri Baraka have voiced a very controversial verse. He implicitly ask questions about who have committed so many wrong doing to criticizing Israel. Therefore, he generated a backlash and was asked to step down.
The backlash Baraka received was harsh but his poem told a very important point. In today's society, we have became too sensitive and we like to not offend anyone because of political correctness. Baraka's poem wasn't inflammatory, rather it was to tell truths and ask questions about our position as a nation with tremendous power. Baraka's poem touches on issues that is taboo to talk about in the public but without a good criticism like Baraka's, we as a nation can be heading towards the wrong path. Though his poem was controversial, it has it's merit.
Wow. I am so impressed by the discerning and very well thought out discourse here. I like the way each writer carefully weighed her words and sought to be fair.
All the responses showed close reading of the text, along with related critiques of the poem and Baraka's response to the state request that he resign.
Other respondents looked at material by the author, his biography and a query into as one student mentions why New Jersey officials would, given his work and politics, decide to make him Poet Laureate? "Somebody Blew Up America" is within the scope of his aesthetic which is not secret.
I am really looking forward to reading the Rosa Parks papers of such fine writers.
Michael Cunningham
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10-10:50
September 12, 2013
Response to “Somebody Blew Up America”
In response to Who Blew Up America by Amir Baraka I do not feel as though he needed to recant his speech. I feel as though he had every right to state what he stated in his poem because this is a free country and he was under the first amendment. Baraka spoke about what he felt inside of himself and so he wrote it on paper and decided to recite it. The way he recited the poem was executed beautifully to a poetics ears. In the poem he states that it wasn’t the skinheads who blew up America and it was not the Taliban and then he would say then who who who. In Zachary McMahon response to Barakas’ poem he clearly states, that the way Baraka wrote his poem made him look like a moron and who is he to criticize this mans poetry. I feel that it is unfair to Baraka that this man can come behind him and basically called his poem foolish, this man Baraka wrote this poem put his time into it and it is not fair for McMahon to down play it the way he does. I am proud that he denied to step down but proud that he finally stepped down on his own so that nothing horrible happened to him.
Mervin DeGuzman
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
13 September 2013
0800-0850
Amiri Baraka Response
Poetry is one of the ways that people use to express how strong they feel about something. Whether it is about love, art or politics; people use it in such powerful ways that people take notice; Amiri Baraka's poem "Somebody Blew Up America" was one of those poem. The poem consisted of Amiri's political views about the world trade center, slavery, and among other things, the World Trade Centers bombing has made his audience from Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival at Waterloo Village in shock and awe. Zachary McMahon, an Illinois State University undergraduate had wrote a review about Amiri's poem. Zachary had wrote, "Baraka's poem is tremendously offensive to many Americans, and especially Jewish-Americans and those who lost relatives and acquaintances in the the September 11th tragedy". James McGreevey, the New Jersey Governor was also offended by what Baraka's had said in his poem. Gov. McGreevey had asked Amiri to resign from his position as Poet Laureate but Amiri declined. He said "NO, I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE, I WILL NOT RESIGN. In fact I will continue to do what I have been appointed to do but still have not been paid to do" (Definition Rhetoric In The Baraka Controversy By Zachary McMahon). Amiri's bravery sure made himself heard and nothing can stop him from expressing what is in his mind or soul. Many people had suffered enough because of the discriminatory, the racism that this country holds. Amiri's poem is just stating the facts for everybody to hear.
Milin Khunkhun
Professor Sabir
English 1A (10-10:50)
14 September 2013
Freewrite
Amiri Baraka's poem: Somebody Blew Up America Response
In Amiri Baraka’s “Somebody Blew Up America” poem, questions the many events occurred by the American people and government from racial to terrorist acts. Nevertheless, Baraka carefully does not mention who had gave permission or carried out these events but by stating what the actions were. When performing his speech, Baraka screeches out the word “who” to emphasize that these actions taken have not yet reveled to the true leaders and followers. The truth has not yet prevailed. As Baraka stated, “Who rob and steal and cheat and murder and make lies the truth”.
That emphasis of the word “who” exclaims the unknowing truth that is in this country. Baraka relates this word with the owl that at night repeats the sound “who”. It seems as if the owl is searching for the truth through the darkness of lies right in your life so you as well will question these so-called leaders who claim to create a truthful life.
Evan Hill
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10-10:50
14 September 2013
Response to "Somebody Blew Up America"
Amiri Baraka's poem was quite the interesting piece of writing. In it, he makes indirect accusations aimed at who he believes perpetrated the 9/11 attacks and other events throughout history. It was controversial enough for the New Jersey Governor and the poet laureate selection committee to ask for his resignation. He decided not to step down, and created even more controversy. However, his decision not to step down was not incorrect in my opinion.
Poetry is an art form and art is about expression. Whenever art is mixed with politics, which is about power and order, there is bound to be some sort of clash. Though Baraka did make some outrageous statements, he was already known for being a radical in his views. In fact, according to Zachary McMahon's article, the poem was written prior to him even being appointed his title. As such, it seems unfair that due to the short shortsightedness of the Governor and his assistants that Baraka should lose his position. An apology may have been in order because of some of the content, however, as he did make make some racially charged comments and some that were just too soon for people to accept.
Hoi Chak
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50
14 September 2013
Response to "Somebody Blew up America"
In response to Amiri Baraka's "Somebody Blew Up America", Zachary McMahon anaylzes the main points of his speech. Rather than taking a stand on whether Baraka should resign or not, McMahon focuses on the message behind the poem. He notes that the speech cause controversy in a way that it has offended many Americans. Reading the poem for the first time, I found some points disturbing. For example, Baraka mentions "who bought the slaves, who sold them" to represent the bitterness his has towards the past. He uses a firm and asseritve tone in order to express his anger towards incident. In addition, McMahon describes one of the main points of the poem, freedom of speech. Although I found many of his points disturbing and harsh, I agree that freedom of speech plays a big role on whether he should resign or not.
Samantha Gober
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50
15 September 2013
In the poem “Somebody Blew up America” by Amiri Baraka, Baraka expresses his questioning of American society today. He seems to be very critical of the way Americans perceive information they are given. Baraka states,
Like an Owl exploding in your life, in your brain in your self Like an Owl who know the devil All night, all day if you listen, Like an Owl Exploding in fire. We hear the questions rise In terrible flame like the whistle of a crazy dog.
Baraka repeatedly uses the word “who.” He questions who commits such violent acts, the truthfulness of those actions, and whether it is just hear say. While many Americans do jump to conclusions, I agree with some of his acquisitions. However, I oppose many. One line that stood out to me was “Who you know seen God?” If, in fact he was questioning God’s existence, that would be cause to an alarming issue with me. Although I do believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I was displeased with his statement. I would contest to it with an old saying of “I’ve never seen a million dollars, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”
The way I interpret his poem, Baraka is taking the side of those who attacked us because he has a conspiracy based opinion. He questions whether the information our government has given us is reliable and who actually terrorized America. Today, there are many conspiracy theorists who are very one sided. Critically, they turn a story into a controversial topic stating what is sometimes factual information, actually isn’t the full truth. Call me gullible if you please, but I have trust in the information provided on the attack of America.
Samantha Gober
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50
15 September 2013
In the poem “Somebody Blew up America” by Amiri Baraka, Baraka expresses his questioning of American society today. He seems to be very critical of the way Americans perceive information they are given. Baraka states,
"Like an Owl exploding in your life, in your brain in your self Like an Owl who know the devil All night, all day if you listen, Like an Owl Exploding in fire. We hear the questions rise In terrible flame like the whistle of a crazy dog."
Baraka repeatedly uses the word “who.” He questions who commits such violent acts, the truthfulness of those actions, and whether it is just hear say. While many Americans do jump to conclusions, I agree with some of his acquisitions. However, I oppose many. One line that stood out to me was “Who you know seen God?” If, in fact he was questioning God’s existence, that would be cause to an alarming issue with me. Although I do believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I was displeased with his statement. I would contest to it with an old saying of “I’ve never seen a million dollars, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”
The way I interpret his poem, Baraka is taking the side of those who attacked us because he has a conspiracy based opinion. He questions whether the information our government has given us is reliable and who actually terrorized America. Today, there are many conspiracy theorists who are very one sided. Critically, they turn a story into a controversial topic stating what is sometimes factual information, actually isn’t the full truth. Call me gullible if you please, but I have trust in the information provided on the attack of America.
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10-10:50
15 September 2013
Baraka the Owl
A very controversial poem in politics Somebody Blew Up America by Amiri Baraka was performed in response to the tragic day of 9/11. As an artist, Baraka took a very daring risk with his choice of words. I admire him for expressing himself in such a dynamic way however there is a fine line between professional and coffee shop poetry. Regardless of the critics made toward his writing I believe he spoke the word that people are too afraid to say. Baraka spoke of the questions that no one could or would answer. As interesting as his poem was I’m afraid it was very unprofessional and made me uncomfortable. Perhaps that is because Baraka spoke about things that we are told all our lives as unmentionable.
Baraka’s analysis of unanswered questions is straightforward. “Who make money from war Who make dough from fear and lies Who want the world like it is Who want the world to be ruled by imperialism and national oppression and terror violence, and hunger and poverty.” Baraka’s usage of word inquires people to ponder the truth of his words. I would compare Baraka’s poem to splashing water on someone to wake them up. He didn’t want to be gentle with his words, he wanted his point made.
Saleena Carpenter
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10-10:50am
14 September 2013
Freewrite Amiri Baraka's poem: Somebody Blew Up America Response
In Amiri Baraka's poem “Somebody Blew Up America," he questions the many tragic events in U.S history and government; from racial inequality to terrorist acts. Baraka does not state who the "who" is that had committed or lead these acts. While performing, Baraka constantly says the word “who” to emphasize that the true culprits of these acts have not been found out by the world. The truth has not been discovered. As Baraka stated, “Who rob and steal and cheat and murder and make lies the truth”. The New Jersey Governor and the poet laureate selection committee to asking for his resignation caused a big dispute. His decision not to step down created more controversy. Although he made outrageous accusations, I think his decision of not stepping down was the right thing to do because he is speaking for the people; trying to inform us of the corruption. I think individuals like the Governer of New Jersey and Laureate are scared of the truth getting out.
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