Black nationalism
Novelist's 'Disgruntled' Heroine Is Drawn From Her Own Childhood
Asali Solomon's novel is about a girl growing up in West Philadelphia whose parents were black nationalists. "My parents taught us to revere Africa -- people at school made fun of Africa," she says.
Remembering Activist Poet Amiri Baraka.
Baraka was one of the key black literary voices of the 1960s. The political and social views that inspired his writing changed over the years, from his bohemian days as a young man in Greenwich Village to his later years as a Marxist. He spoke to Fresh Air's Terry Gross in 1986.
Writer Gerald Early on His Changing Views on Malcolm X
Early is director of Afro-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. He'll talk with Terry about why he used to like Malcolm X, and why he no longer does. His article. "Their Malcolm, My Problem," appears in December's issue of Harper's Magazine.
Hettie Jones Discusses Her Memoir.
Writer Hettie Jones. Her new memoir, "How I became Hettie Jones" (published by E.P. Dutton) is an account of living at the center of New York bohemianism during the 50's and 60's. It's also the story of Jones' interracial marriage to black poet LeRoi Jones. LeRoi Jones later became involved in the black militant movement, and changed his name to Amiri Bakara. (rebroadcast. Originally broadcast 3/28/90).
Hettie Jones Discusses Her Memoir.
Writer Hettie Jones. Her new memoir, "How I became Hettie Jones" (published by E.P. Dutton) is an account of living at the center of New York bohemianism during the 50's and 60's. It's also the story of Jones' interracial marriage to black poet LeRoi Jones. LeRoi Jones later became involved in the black militant movement, and changed his name to Amiri Baraka. The two divorced.
Asserting Revolutionary Blackness
Poet and playwright Leroi Jones changed his name to Amiri Baraka to affirm his African roots. While exploring his black identity, he participated in a variety of different arts and political movements. Though his views continue to evolve, his past experiences continue to inform his writing today.