Dr. Cornel West

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Cornel West, Ph.D., was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The grandson of a preacher, West marched as a young man in civil rights demonstrations and organized protests demanding Black Studies courses at his high school. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento, California, where he served as president of his high-school class, he enrolled at Harvard University at age 17.

He took classes from philosophers Robert Nozick and Stanley Cavell and graduated in three years, magna cum laude in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization in 1973. He earned a Ph.D. in 1980 from Princeton, where he was influenced by Richard Rorty’s pragmatism. In his mid-twenties, he returned to Harvard as a Du Bois fellow before becoming an assistant professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. In 1985 he went to Yale Divinity School in what eventually became a joint appointment in American Studies. While at Yale, he participated in campus protests for a clerical union and divestment from apartheid South Africa, one of which resulted in his being arrested and jailed. As punishment, the university administration cancelled his leave for Spring 1987, leading him to commute between Yale (where he was teaching two classes) and the University of Paris. He then returned to Union and taught at Haverford College for one year before going to Princeton to become a professor of religion and director of the Program in African American Studies, which he revitalized in cooperation with such scholars as novelist Toni Morrison. He served as director of the program from 1988 to 1994. He then accepted an appointment as professor of African- American studies at Harvard University, with a joint appointment at the Divinity School.

West taught one of the university’s most popular courses, an introductory class on African American Studies. In 1998 he was appointed the first Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, a position that placed him among a select two dozen professors at the university. West taught courses in African-American Studies, divinity, religion, and philosophy. In 2001, West returned to Princeton, where he is the Class of 1943
University Professor.

The recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees and the American Book Award, West is also much sought-after as a speaker, commentator, and honorary chair. West remains a widely cited scholar in the popular press, in African-American Studies, and in studies of Black theology.

West is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, the oldest fraternity established for
African American undergraduates. His classic works, Race Matters and Democracy
Matters, were both national bestsellers. His new memoir, BROTHER WEST: Living and
Loving Out Loud, will be published in October 2009 by SmileyBooks.

Dr. West discusses new his book

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 best selling 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.

Dr. Cornel West 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.

Dr. Cornel West

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.

Dr. West was a special guest speaker recently for the- The Thoughts of Black Men Organization (TBM) Thursday Night Conference Call on Thursday, March 2, 2009 at 9:00 PM, Eastern Time Zone. The conference call, a free weekly event, is a worldwide telephonic program developed by Teee Coston, founder of the TBM, for the purpose of helping crisis-ridden Black Community cope with today’s crisis.

On the night of the conference Dr. West was pleased to know that “TBM” has accomplished it’s goal of many, by laboring in the works of research to gather men and women from all parts of the country for the purpose to impart words of wisdom as a means to encourage and uplift in order to bring life saving results.

Dr. West imparted knowledge to the “TBM” audience that it takes tremendous courage to be and continuously seeking for unarmed truth. Dr. West believes that condition of truth is to allow suffering to speak. Any time you talk about truth, you are talking about a way to truth. And the way to truth is to make sure suffering speaks. That all the voices of suffering speaks in such a way that it has dignity, it has the elegancy, the excellence and plays a role in shaping the destiny of individuals, which is one of the largest communities in society.

Now unconditional love is important, especially for a hated, despised people who have been talked, hate and shut down and despised themselves. All of us are worthy of love but justice is what love looks like in public but when you really love people you face the fact that they are being treated unjustly.

You can’t stand the fact that they are being treated unfairly. At the very beginning there are two pillars, can we tell the truth about ourselves and can we tell the truth about our community; can we tell the truth about our society and our world. Because in the end it is going to be the truth that sets us free. And at the same time that truth is inseparable from a love because that love is about mastering the courage to fight for justice. It’s a fire in your bones, if you don’t do something the rocks are going to shout out. Love will transform a person and each life is priceless.

On May 2 2009, Bro Teee (Founder) & The Thoughts Of Black Men & Family was proud to present Dr. Cornel West with a token of love in honor of his support to our organization and to the nation in which respects his knowledge and wisdom which made a difference in which we live today.