Activist. Teacher. Artist. Muslim.

 Donald Bakeer is author of "South Central L.A. CRIPS (1987)", the novel that in tandem with its critically acclaimed film adaptation, "South Central" (Warner Bros. 1992), has been the most powerful artistic combination to combat the 35 year old gang murder epidemic that has now become a culture for many. These two works, and Bakeer'slast novel, The Story of the 1992 L.A. Uprising-"Inhale Gasoline & Gunsmoke!", are critical in his strategy to end the gang wars with art and fight a growing culture of anti-literacy.Bakeer, recently retired after 30 years teaching English in several of South Central L.A.'s toughest schools, is a renowned poet and speaker, a 15 year member and former President of the International Black Writers and Artists who has been one of the most influential voices in South Central L.A. for over 3 decades, now. Known to many as "The Master Poet", Bakeer has performed hundreds of times over the past 30 years in schools, churches, mosques, night clubs, restaurants, bookstores, and festivals in the area. He is the dedicated father of 9, has mentored many, and taught hundreds of people to be poets.CRIPS and …

Inhale Gasoline & Gunsmoke… are action packed, historical novels that chronicle the evolution of black L.A. from the Watts riots in 1965 through the 1992, South Central L.A. Rebellion."I wrote these novels after teaching thousands of students and interviewing over 500 gangsters over a period of 11 years. My intent is to put an end to the tradition of gang murder that has claimed well over 10 thousand lives. The rising tide of electronic media and the acquiescence to 'post literate age' status for the underclass (N*GG*S) by educators have combined with the moral deterioration of the family to create a violent cult among our youth. At the heart of the problem is a closet illiteracy that prohibits the most violent youths' participation in legitimate society. My books are written to change hearts and liberate minds (by inspiring the anti-literate to read). The books are crafted to be ammunition against the traditions that make murder fair seeming and violence (for problem solving) most admired." They are tried and proven over the past 17 years to be most effective in eradicating illiteracy.My books are meant to enlighten and entertain society, in general, but they are, specifically, crafted to be rights of passage novels for many who would read nothing if it was not about them and addressed specifically to them. I write to eradicate mental blight amongst the underclass. I write to create light.The books are used quite effectively in classrooms, and, prominently, by libraries, book clubs, et al. The hardback books are1st and 2d editions and in limited supply, so they are collectibles and make enduring gifts.With All Humility,
Donald Bakeer 

I was born and raised to be a writer. My father worked for the Kansas City Call newspaper and dreamed of me becoming a sportswriter so I was covering Rafer Johnson's successful 1960 Olympics at a precocious 15. I have written every genre from sports to feature to editorials, poetry/songs (my favorite genre), satire,  screenplays, novels, and my recently completed second memoir, PTSD? Who, Me? a scathing  reminiscence on a shameful Vietnam War, through, now, sobered eyes. Ultimately, my repentance for my part in the Vietnam massacre.