Amiri Baraka

Amiri Baraka was one of the central figures who spearheaded the Black Arts Movement. Something I found particularly remarkable about this author is his ability to embrace personal and social change and transformation. There is something about his writing that mirrors his ever-evolving consciousness and ideas. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for his willingness to stray from his own previously expressed ideas or perceptions and express his evolution boldly, without fear of criticism from more rigid minds. Barakas open-minded and revolutionary style of prose is admirable in its ability to both confront the past and to use its old tools to give shape to a fresh vision for the future.