Amiri Baraka Quotes
Amiri Baraka’s name still sparks lively debate, and these brief recollections show both his private side and the controversies that followed his public work. From a roommate’s candid remark to a fellow poet’s guarded respect, the snippets reveal how his persona divided opinions. For a broader look at the era, the Black Arts Movement page adds depth, and the American Poetry and Literary Controversies sections round out the picture.
![“As for [Amiri] Baraka, he and I have disagreements. I mean, he becomes a demagogue when there's an audience. He's a nice guy in private. I mean I like the guy; he's a terrific writer. I've published two of his books. Baraka is one of these fundamentalists who is prone to idol worship.” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f16/ishmael-reed-7430_audience_as-for-amiri-baraka-he-and-i-have-disagr_1091138.jpg)
![“I don't know why people always compare me [ with Amiri Baraka] I was never part of the Black Arts Repertory Theater or the Black Arts Movement; people who claim that I was are wrong. I was downtown. I was living in Chelsea when they were operating in Harlem.” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ec/ishmael-reed-7430_art_i-don-t-know-why-people-always-compare-m_1439827.jpg)
![“I was roommates with 2 of the guys who were influential in forming the Black Arts philosophy. I called them "goons," and [Amiri] Baraka took offense at that. But if you read his autobiography, the night we went up there for a fundraiser, he talks about how he wished that some violence would happen…” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5bd/ishmael-reed-7430_art_i-was-roommates-with-2-of-the-guys-who-w_2825561.jpg)
