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The Last Poets

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Submitted By elyadz
Words 447
Pages 2
Eleonora Dzigava
Prof Batson

“THE LAST POETS”

“The Last Poets” is a documentary that was released in 2002, its a name for several groups of poets and musicians, who arose from the late 1960s African-American civil rights movement’s black nationalist movement.

Umar Bin Hassan was the leader of this group, entering mass culture to a legendary level, influencing hip-hop music. Their raps, rhythms and dedication to raising African-American consciousness laid the foundation of hip-hop and influenced the change of politics.
“The last Poets” group grew from there poets and a drummer to seven young black and hispanic artists. Its impressing how hope and belief brought so many talented people together to fight against racism with music. The group connected with other groups, that were important organizations of the Civil Rights Movement, such as SNCC, SDS, and “The Black Panther Party”. They didn't stop at just making music and releasing albums, they joined bigger groups and confronted FBI and police.
Abiodun Oyewole was forced to leave the group, as he was arrested and convicted of larceny. He spent four years in a North Carolina prison.
Throughout the years the group fought against each other and eventually it split into two groups. Abiodun Oyewole has had a bunch of projects under the Last Poets name. He spent 15 years in the New York school system, also taught at Columbia University. David Nelson ended up to be a christian minister. Felipe Luciano became a newscaster in New York. Some of them turned out to make it, even though their life was hard. This movie has shown, that a group of people, that strongly believe in something, and they dedicate their time and work as a team, they will meet their goal and succeed to make changes in the world.
In the movie, they are discussing how the dam broke up, and it made me confused how a group of people that worked as a team to achieve something like this, broke up and acted violent against each other.
Watching the movie, some particular scenes were appealing, some of the music and rhythms were enjoyable to listen to, although many other songs were violent and hard to listen to.
If the filmmakers were to ask me how the film could be improved, I would add more information about the personal lives of each member of the group, for example, their childhood and their way of life.
If someone asked me whether I would recommend this film or not, I would definitely say yes, i recommend this documentary , but mainly for educational purposes, as it could bring discomfort and can easily offend some individuals with its content.

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