Maulana Karenga, Amiri Baraka, and Kawaida

Abstract

In the first period, about 1967–1970, Maulana Karenga was a major direct ideological influence on Baraka and by extension CFUN/ CAP, beginning with their meetings in Newark during the planning for the 1967 Black Power conference. Karenga had gained a reputation as a nationalist leader in Los Angeles through his community organizing efforts after the 1965 Watts riots and the establishment of his organization, Us. When he came to Newark, Baraka had been situated within the community as an artistic voice, cultural leader, and critic who had gained national stature in the Black Nationalist community because of his work in the Black Arts Movement. Like many others, Baraka was influenced by Malcolm X both politically and spiritually and engaged in the study of Islam and also other African religious systems. Baraka’s view was eclectic, not systematic or scientific in its analysis, which made him even more susceptible to Karenga’s influence.