More than 200 students and community members packed into Gerlinger Lounge on Tuesday night to hear activist and writer Amiri Baraka read several of his poems while Grammy Award-winning jazz musician David Murray played his saxophone in accompaniment.
Baraka, who is on a national tour to promote his new book of short stories, “The Out and the Gone”, performed a poem called “Somebody Blew Up America” which was recently at the center of a national controversy. Baraka wrote the poem after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and while he was serving as New Jersey’s 2002 state poet laureate. The poem was most controversial for several lines alluding to an Israeli conspiracy in the attacks.
“Who knew the World Trade Center was gonna get bombed/
Who told 4000 Israeli workers at the Twin Towers/To stay home that day/Why did (former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon stay away?” Baraka read to the sound of Murray’s sax. “Who know why Five Israelis was filming the explosion/And cracking they sides at the notion”
Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey asked Baraka to apologize for the poem and to resign his position. When Baraka refused, McGreevey, with no legal means to take away Baraka’s title, eliminated New Jersey’s state poet laureate position.
“Our foolish governor appointed me poet laureate and that’s when it became clear to me that he was illiterate,” Baraka said. “Now I always sign my letters ‘the last poet laureate of New Jersey’ just to piss them off.”
Murray, a tenor saxophonist who has released more than 130 albums, first performed with Baraka in 1975. He said Baraka’s poetry speaks to so many because of its social relevance.
“It’s poetry with a meaning. It’s about our lives right now,” Murray said. “It’s always a good idea to pay attention to him. He’s always on the cutting edge of change.”
David Murray, who now lives in Paris, said he always enjoys coming to Eugene to perform.
“I like this place,” he said. “Everyone wants to know what’s happening. You all are living the dream. It was great, everyone was full of questions.”
University alumnus Edward Coleman Jr., a professional musician in Portland who said he is the son of the first tenured professor of color at the University, accompanied Murray on the drums.
“I was very excited and honored,” he said. “It’s inspiring to play with someone with his experience.”
The Multicultural Center was responsible for bringing Baraka and Murray to campus. Steve Morozumi, the Programs Adviser in the Multicultural Center, said they were very happy with the outcome of the event.
“We’re really lucky because these are world-class people coming here,” Morozumi said. “It’s been a special year.”
Kari Herinckx, a student co-director in the Multicultural Center, said the event was so successful many people had to be turned away at the door because of fire code restrictions.
In a break from reciting his poetry, Baraka spoke directly to the students in attendance.
“You college students are supposed to be here studying, because this is the last time you get to study,” he said. “Don’t give all of your energy and time to making this country an uglier place than it already is.”
Musician, controversial poet jazz up reading
Daily Emerald
February 21, 2007
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