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Etheridge Knight in Korea
Discharged because of a shrapnel wound in his leg. After, became addicted to drugs. -
Gwendolyn Brooks wins Pulitzer Prize
She was the first African American to win this award -
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Vietnam War
Cause of much social and political turmoil. Naturally, an excellent source of inspiration for poets in the U.S. -
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Black Arts Movement
-Approximately from 1960-1970
-Against any idea of the artist which alienates him from his community
-Self-determination and nationhood
-Fact: There are two Americas. There is a duty of the black artist to speak to the spiritual and cultural needs of Black People.
-Confront the contradictions of the depictions of the black man in the racist West.
-Sometimes criticized as misogynist, homophobic, anti-Semitic and racially exclusive. But recently, those artists credit the movement. -
Knight Arrested for Robbery
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Knight in Jail
While imprisoned, Knight was inspired by the words of MLK and Malcolm X, so he wrote many poems. Even though he was still imprisoned, he was able to have a friend publish the book of poems. -
JFK In Office as President
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MLK's March on Washington
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"I Have a Dream" Speech
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"kitchenette building"
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JFK Assassinated
Major political upheaval. Politically chaotic. -
LBJ in Office as President
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Malcolm X Assassinated
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Amiri Baraka Moves to Harlem
First living in the Lower East Side, after the assassination of Malcolm X, Baraka leaves his wife and children and moves to Harlem, symbolizing his breaking away from the Beats and becoming a black cultural nationalist. -
Black Arts Repertory Theatre School
Amiri Baraka creates the Black Arts Repertory Theatre School, essentially formalizing the beginning of the movement. -
Black Magic
Amiri Baraka publishes "Black Magic: Poetry 1961-1967" -
MLK Assassinated
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Gwendolyn Brooks named Poet Laureate for Illinois
