Culture is an area of conflict and contention. Supposedly top Nazi Hermann Goering once said, "Whenever I hear the word 'culture' I reach for my gun." In the U.S. in recent decades there are cultural wars over books, movies, language and life-styles. It's the grist for many a radio and TV show. Listeners and viewers call-in and express their strong opinions on extramarital affairs of celebrities, or should Mark McGuire be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame, and whether the film "Apocalypto" is too violent. Substantive issues are ignored and marginalized. For example, who manufactures and controls culture? What are its ideological goals? Who earns huge profits?

Amiri Baraka, a major figure in African American culture, rose to fame in the 1960s as LeRoi Jones. His 1964 off-Broadway play, "Dutchman" created a sensation. Later he became Amiri Baraka and was a central figure in the Black Arts movement. He is an award-winning playwright and poet and recipient of the American Book Award for Lifetime Achievement.