Poet Laureate of New Jersey

The poem, which explores the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, was criticized by many as violent, incendiary, and anti-Semitic, and the ensuing controversy ignited a political firestorm.

Because of Baraka's defiant refusals to apologize or resign as poet laureate and since there was no mechanism in the law to remove him, the position was abolished by the legislature and Governor James E. McGreevey in 2003.

[10] Poet and Drew University literature professor Ross Gay described Stern's work, saying that his poems "feel to me, often, a bit like that story, or rather, his manner of telling it: here is my pain, here is my sorrow, here is the song I've made of it.

[11][12][13] Baraka, born Everett Leroy Jones, was an African-American poet, playwright, and author of fiction, essays and music criticism.

Within the African-American community, critics compare him to James Baldwin and call Baraka one of the most respected and most widely published Black writers of his generation.

[15] The previous poet laureate, Gerald Stern, said that he advocated for Baraka's selection because he "thought it was important for the black community to get recognition.

[16] At a ceremony in August 2002, Baraka warned McGreevey that the decision to appoint him as poet laureate might be a mistake because of his controversial views, saying "You're gonna catch hell for this".

[17][18] After Baraka's death in January 2014, McGreevey said, "I named him poet laureate because I appreciated his art, his intelligence and his creative energy.

[21][22] This poem, and the collection in which it was included, is described by one critic as "one more mark in modern Black radical and revolutionary cultural reconstruction.

"[23] Princeton University poetry professor Craig Dworkin, said that he did not like the poem, but added "I do like the sense that a poet can be disturbing and not necessarily comforting or consensus-building.

The poem is highly critical of racism in America, and includes angry depictions of public figures such as Rudolph Giuliani, Trent Lott, Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and Ward Connerly.

[20][26] The Anti-Defamation League denounced the poem as antisemitic and have pointed to several examples of a long pattern of anti-Semitism in his work and public statements[27] though Baraka and his defenders defined his position as Anti-Zionism.

'"[29] McGreevey and state officials learned that there was no legal way to remove Baraka in the law authorizing and defining the position.

[31] It was one of several bills offered to amend the law, make a declarative legislative statement in support of Baraka's resignation, or abolish the post.

"[39] Without providing comment and affirming the Third Circuit's decision, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear the case by denying Baraka's Petition for a Writ for Certiorari.