dr. cornel west

I am one who value and honor the intellectual beings inside all of us. Of course, there are some in our world who are so engaged with their intellect, that it's a magnetic force that not only radiates, but influences those around. One intellectual I so admire is Dr. Cornel West. I first heard about him in 1993 when I took a Japanese American Personality course as part of my Asian American Studies minor. I can't recall the professor's name now, but he was the first one to encourage students to use 'email' at that time. And, I didn't know how so I asked my little cousin for help. ;-) Anyway, in that class, the professor would quote and recommend lots of books for reading, not required reading, but reading worth checking out. He told us he wanted to inspire us to read up and engage in the racial discourse (discussion) in our country. It is an on-going discourse and it's important to know where we're at with our minds.

He recommended dr. cornel west. And, I was hooked. Maybe in my lifetime I could go to one of dr. west's 'talks' because on tv, I am mesmerized by his profound passion for racial justice in America and he is able to articulate that message in a sermon-like style oratory, with no paper or notes, only with his voice and gestures.
He may be an intellectual, but he defines that on his own terms and what it should be. An intellectual is not necessarily a professor who teaches and writes at the University, but it is the capacity in us to question all things by asking why?, and to critically analyze the conditions we are in, and most importantly to critically analyze ourselves. He is the first 'man' who has publicly addressed the value of self-love in my mind. There is a good reason to that. Having been socialized and dehumanized by America's white dominance, blacks have struggled hard and the problems that they face are problems that America face too. The issue of self-love comes from a deep place in dr. west's heart, who often times said that to be hated and scorned simply because of the color of your skin, can cause one to feel self-loathing (self-hatred) towards yourself and towards others. It was dr. west's reality and it is the pyschological mess that black people and people of color have to face growing up as a minority in America. His words are deep and he continues to push that point in almost every speech he makes. The complexity behind self-love as it relates to being a person of color is that one has to reach into themselves to find it, because it isn't going to land on our back. The love that was there was stripped away by the stereotypes, by the hatred, by the socialization process, by what others' words and criticism and all of that become a mess of self-loathing. To recognize self-hatred, and acknowledge our lived experiences, and then to reclaim love in ourselves leads to the path of self-love. And, why is that important? If we don't have self-love, we can't perceive that in others, therefore we can't love deeply. You could either love or not, it is an absolute. That's what dr. west's message is all about and what his message means to me.

Since dr. west is a professor, he has spoken about young people and the kinds of false and mis-leading messages that are often fed to them from mass culture and American society. I like to keep a copy of these words because it is so TRUE! I have probably fallen prey to what he's talking about. Below is a text of his speech follow by a short bio from dr. west website. The professor who recommended dr. west to the class also said once, 'We don't have that much time to live on earth, but the time that you do have, fill it up with meaning and define what is meangingful to you and why haven't you done it yet?' One thing I have discovered is our intellect and I really enjoy engaging with that part of ourselves and get to who all of us really are. Thanks for reading.
__________________________________________________________________________
dr. west's speech at the University of Michigan (2007):

Addressing young people of America:

'Don't believe the hype, it's just not true.
The fundamental aim in life is NOT to be successful,
but to be GREAT. To be successful means
all the material prosperity, imperial toys,
the bling bling, living well, nothing wrong
to be successful. But you will
never possess your soul with possessing commodity.
The aim in life is to be GREAT -
because GREATNESS has to do with the quality of person you are,
the dignity of a mother exemplified a greatness,
the quality of service you give to others
the quality of love and compassion
you have for others.'

_____________________________________________________________________________

Below is a caption from his official website:

about dr. cornel west

One of America's most provocative public intellectuals, Cornel West has been a champion for racial justice since childhood. His writing, speaking, and teaching weave together the traditions of the black Baptist Church, progressive politics, and jazz. The New York Times has praised his "ferocious moral vision."
Currently the Class of 1943 Professor at Princeton University, West burst onto the national scene in 1993 with his bestselling book, Race Matters, a searing analysis of racism in American democracy. Race Matters has become a contemporary classic, selling more than a half a million copies to date. In addition, West has published 18 other books and has edited 13 texts and has received more than 20 honorary degrees.

West earned two bachelor's degrees from Harvard in three years, magna cum laude. Martin Kilson, one of his professors there, describes West as "the most intellectually aggressive and highly cerebral student I have taught." After earning his Ph.D. at Princeton, he became a professor of religion and director of the Afro-American Studies program there. West has also taught at Union Theological Seminary, Yale, Harvard, and the University of Paris.

In his book, "Democracy Matters," West analyzes the arrested development of democracy both in America and in the crisis-ridden Middle East. In his latest book, Hope on a Tightrope, he offers courageous commentary on issues that affect the lives of all Americans. Themes include Race, Leadership, Faith, Family, Philosophy, and Love and Service.

He also has produced 3 albums his latest CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations is a collection of socially conscience music featuring collaborations with Prince, Outkast, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli and KRS-ONE. West also offers commentary weekly on The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI.

West was an influential force in developing the storyline for the popular Matrix movie trilogy and has served as its official spokesperson, as well as playing a recurring role in the final two films.

__________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for reading! Hope I stirred your intellect with Dr. West. Now, headed to class..........bye!