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The Birth of Amiri Baraka
Amiri Baraka was a poet, playwright, teacher, and political activist who would write to provoke thinking and shock audiences. His essays, poetry, drama, and fiction would speak on black Americans frustration in a white-dominated society. Born as Everett LeRoi Jones on October 7th, 1934, in Newark, New Jersey. To his mother Anna Lois Russ Jones who was a social worker and father Colt Leverette Jones who was a postal supervisor and lift operator. -
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Barringer High School
In high school, Amiri Baraka was actively involved in various extracurricular activities. He was a member of the debate team, which helped hone his skills in argumentation and public speaking. He also developed an interest in writing, jazz, and poetry during this time. Baraka was influenced by the cultural and social dynamics of Newark, which later shaped his artistic and political pursuits. His experiences in high school laid the groundwork for his future as a writer and activist.