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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Released Spoken Word Piece That Lays Action Items

Rhett Butler

Jun 6, 2020

The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Ras Baraka, has released a powerful spoken-word piece demanding social justice. 


The new video for “What We Want,” features the Mayor and a microphone. Dancers with face paint reminiscent of characters in the movie “Dead Presidents”, also express his words through dance.


“We want to praise our own God/And we want to see his reflection in our children’s eyes,” he declares. “We want to draw him blue/Like jazz/With long dreads/And thick lips.

“Free housing,” “quality education,” “equal pay” and more written are written across their cheeks. “We need freedom,” Baraka says. “Not just the bill of rights/But rights to build our own lives.”


“What We Want” was produced by Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis, known for his extensive work with Wyclef Jean. The video was directed by Ayana Stafford-Morris and produced by Udi Aloni.

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