Editor's comments, Newark Review Vol. 2, set 4

n e w ( 1 2 / 9 9 ) :

http://www.njcmr.org/video/baraka.ram

ALLAH MEAN EVERYTHING

ALLAH MEAN EVERYTHING!
Thus Spake Amiri Baraka

Out in Newark's central ward, only a few strides from Osborne Terrace (where Allen Ginsberg's "Aunt Rose" lived), a truly wonderous monthly salon, known as Kimako's Blues People, is held at the home of Amina and Amiri Baraka. These last - Saturday - evening - of - the - month sessions – open to anyone – generally begin with the "Unity & Struggle" forum, an open discussion focusing on various local global political creative matters. The region really benefits from such a meeting place: current activistic, artistic, and other types of information are exchanged; viewpoints alternative to what manifests in newspapers, classrooms, and city council chambers are passionately voiced. An open stage follows. The Baraka's have transformed their basement into a performance space with sound system, lighting, a piano (which they bought when Nina Simone was living with them for a few months in the 80's!), and chairs. A sign-up sheet is circulated: everyone is encouraged to read, sing, or play music. Often, after a break which sometimes includes a home-cooked meal for everyone upstairs, jazz bands will play well past midnight. The atmosphere is casual yet intense. Many conversations are happening; literature – spoken or printed – is vibrant and available. Kimako's Blues People is a serious contact point for progressively minded people in the area. Heart and mind emit in rare and beautiful ways at these events, which have occured for a dozen years. The collective We of New Jersey (and beyond) are fortunate such gatherings transpire. [ I should also mention that the Barakas' son, Ras, co-hosts an equally charged and expansive (more hip-hop groove than jazz) poetry event, Verse-4-Verse Poetry Cafe, at various locations in the Newark area. See NEWARK REVIEW, Volume 2, set 6, for a collection of work from this group. ]

After reading, studying, and teaching his work over a dozen years, I met Amiri by chance standing in line behind him at a Maria João / Joshua Redman / Betty Carter concert at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in 1997. He invited me to come to Kimako's; my wife and I are now delighted regulars. After producing a couple of issues of NEWARK REVIEW making connections with that community, it made sense to ask Amiri to be contributor. He answered the invitation with this newly written (February '99) long piece, now the second single-author issue of NEWARK REVIEW. At first, a hypertext formulation for the piece was designed. However, it was ultimately decided that a linear, print-like presentation of the materials works best given the already unconventional structure of the writing.

Baraka, unbeknownst to many, is an active visual artist. His office is covered with dozens of his small colorful sketches (and sequences of sketches), many of which include written narrative. An exhibition of his work, Word Pictures, at the Aljira Gallery in Newark earlier in 1999 was popular and well-received. The image which adorns the cover of this issue (also used in various manifestations as a backdrop to all texts within) was created by Baraka.

R e l a t e d l i n k s

NEWARK REVIEW is published steadily but at irregular intervals by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at New Jersey Institute of Technology (thanks to the generosity of Professors Norbert Elliot and Robert Lynch). Submissions are welcome from artists and authors from New Jersey and the NJIT community; work focused on or related to New Jersey will also be considered. Please contact NEWARK REVIEW via newrev@njit.edu.

Now to you,

–Chris Funkhouser, editor

Printed versions of this edition are available.

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NEWARK REVIEW
c/o HSS Dept. / NJIT
Newark, NJ 07102