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By turns kinetic and intimate, WHY IS WE AMERICANS? is an in-depth, cinematic exploration of Newark’s legendary Baraka family, the patriarch of which being the one and only Amiri Baraka (formerly known as LeRoi Jones), one of the most prodigious African American poet/playwright/activists of our time. From the Newark Rebellion of 1967 to current day, the city’s narrative has been one of revolution with each generation picking up where the previous had left off. WHY IS WE AMERICANS? weighs in on Newark’s struggle against oppression through the personal triumphs and tragedies of the Baraka family — from Amiri’s civil rights leadership and ultimate artistic marginalization, to the horrific murder of his sister, Kimako, through the homicide of daughter Shani (one of the first openly gay black activists) to the historic election of Ras Baraka as mayor of Newark, NJ…and through it all, it is the matriarch, Amina Baraka, who emerges as the story’s lodestar and moral compass. Spanning decades of social activism, poetry, music, art, and politics, this kaleidoscopic family saga is framed by on-camera interviews with Ms. Lauryn Hill and local civil rights leaders, rare archival footage and revealing personal testimonials. As we connect with the iconoclastic poet Amiri Baraka, his wife, Amina, and their son, Ras, a portrait of a city emerges with an inspiring call to arms in the fight for class and racial justice.
Original Release
06/19/2020
US Release
06/19/2020
Links
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Jabbar Ali | Self |
Maya Angelou | Self |
Amiri Baraka Jr. | Self |
Amandla Baraka | Self |
Amina Baraka | Self |
Amiri Baraka | Self |
Obalaji Baraka | Self |
Ras Baraka | Self |
Cory Booker | Self |
Jerry Gant | Self |
Directors
Ayana Stafford-Morris, Udi Aloni
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Jabbar Ali | Self |
Maya Angelou | Self |
Amiri Baraka Jr. | Self |
Amandla Baraka | Self |
Amina Baraka | Self |
Amiri Baraka | Self |
Obalaji Baraka | Self |
Ras Baraka | Self |
Cory Booker | Self |
Jerry Gant | Self |
Joann P. Gibbs | Self |
Aisha Glover | Self |
Larry Hamm | Self |
Dawn Hayes | |
Janice Kettles | Self |
Kumara Lance | |
Samina Lance | |
Kalimah Moore | Self |
Siree Morris Jr. | Self |
Akhari Morris | Self |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Moshe Edery | Executive Producer |
Lauryn Hill | Executive Producer |
Ben Korman | Executive Producer |
Idith Meshulam | Executive Producer |
Jon Rubinstein | Executive Producer |
David Silber | Executive Producer |
Kiburi Tucker | Executive Producer |
Randall Wallace | Executive Producer |
Oren Moverman | Executive Producer |
Lauryn Hill | Producer |
Udi Aloni | Producer |
Ayana Stafford-Morris | Producer |
Shimon Azulay | Producer |
Eugen Bräunig | Producer |
Christopher Clements | Producer |
Cara Fitts | Producer |
Julie Goldman | Producer |
Randy Hayes | Producer |
Melina Torres | Producer |
Yasmin Zaher | Producer |
Oren Moverman | Producer |