Cornel West Race Matters

0Lonnie Jones02br
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00Instructor: Gina Fournier02br
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00Composition 152002br
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0011 February 200702br
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00West Matters: A Review of Cornel West’s01i00 Race Matters02i02br
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00 00The subject of race relations in the 00 is no new topic.00 00The matter of relationships between races dates back to the 1701sup^{00th02sup}00 century when the first settlers arrived and were met and sometimes conflicted with the indigenous peoples.00 00Race is now and will continue to be a subject of heated discussion because of the democratic and emigrational policies of the 010200.00 00The fact that race is a sensitive issue makes sense in a nation that by design is comprised of many races.00 00Today the debate on race in the 010200 centers on Afro-American Caucasian relations, not to negate the grievances of Latino and Asian peoples have become a larger part of the fray.00 00At one time or another, every ethnic group who has migrated to this country in any great number has faced similar discrimination from those who were here before and somehow feel entitled to this land.00 00For instance during the mass migration of the Irish people during the Irish potato famine (1846-1849) many were unwelcome because of the fear that they would take the jobs of the residents already living here.00 00Today, the same attitude is held by some Americans concerning the immigration of Latinos from 0100Mexico0200 and the rest of 00.00 00 02br
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00 00Race affects every person in this nation and no one is a racist simply for being aware of the fact.00 00Whether the intent is positive or negative, the overt and surreptitious effect of race is always present.00 00For this reason, there is no shortage of opinions on the issue and those opinions range from live and let live to extremist hate.00 00With all of the opinions held on race relations, one person who offers some insight and thought provoking observations on the topic is Cornel West.00 00In his book 01i00Race Matters02i00 (Vintage Books Inc., 1993, 159 pgs.) he examines not only the state of race relations in this country, but also some causes for the thinking that perpetuates the cycle of distrust and trepidation.00 00The book offers some of the most intelligent, concise and controversial commentary on race to date.02br
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00 01i00Race Matters02i00 is not just another summation of race relations in this country.00 00One of the main reasons this book differs from others is that West does not allow his membership in the African-American race to hinder his view.00 00Additionally, he ignores the prevailing concept of political correctness and speaks freely.00 00This book is an insight into many of the stereotypes, misconceptions and clashes caused by race.00 00By bringing to light the inadequacies and failings of all races and peoples involved in this predicament, he manages to produce an engaging and astute piece of work.00 00He accomplishes his task by two methods; the first is the examination of race from multiple angles.00 00By discussing race in a historical, social, sexual and political sense, he is able to produce some uncommon assessments on the ever-fluctuating state of race relations in the 010200.00 00The second method West uses is the addition of a forward for each chapter.00 00The short one to two paragraph pieces are the works of such as James Baldwin, Malcolm X, Richard Wright and Toni Morrison.00 00These forwards seem to iterate the intent of each chapter and also bring a sense of community to the thoughts of West and the book as well.02br
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00 01i00Race Matters02i00 offers no clemency to the reader who is looking to skim the surface of the subject.00 00This book requires hip-waders as the reader is compelled to go deeper into their own feelings on race as they progress through the chapters.00 00West brings to the forefront the matters of race, sex and politics that many chose to ignore.00 00He does not leave out the words, sentences or accusations that might offend the reader.00 00To West’s view it seems there is no time left for niceties, there is no time insinuation.00 00The subject matter in which he chooses to delve does not reciprocate a polite approach. West is known for provoking readers with his works, and does not fail here.00 00Even the chapter titles of the book show a sense of severity, with titles like “The Pitfalls of Racial Reasoning”, “Beyond Affirmative Action: Equality and Identity” and “Black Sexuality: The Taboo Subject” West shows that he is serious in his views and assessments.00 00Each chapter tackles and wrestles to the ground another thorny subject in race relations and the state of African-American culture in the 010200.00 00In particular, on subject of the prevailing wave of nihilism among poor black Americans, West illustrates what he sees as the incorrect approaches to the problem and his theory on why the proposed solutions have not worked.00 00He rebuffs both the conservative and liberal views on the issue, which stand in affirmative action programs on the left and black business expansion on the right.00 00West sees this kind of thinking as simplistic and separate of the real problem.00 00To West, the real issue is nihilism itself.00 00West explains, “This threat is not simply a matter of relative economic depravation and political powerlessness, though economic well-being and political clout are requisite for meaningful black progress.00 00It is primarily a question of speaking to the profound sense of psychological depression, personal worthlessness, and social despair so widespread in black 00.”00 00To simplify his thoughts, temporary social and economic programs can do little when those they are intended for are suffering from the psychological effects of a historical and systematic exclusion from the “American Dream”. 00 00Statements such as this are what is compelling about the book, it quickly goes below the surface of the subject to get to the actual causes of the problems.00 00By doing so, the true remedies appear within reach.02br
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00 00Although short in the number of pages, 01i00Race Matters02i00 does not suffer from its length.00 00With biting commentary and an almost plain style, he manages to get his point across with very few questions left unanswered.00 00West places the majority of blame for the dire state of affairs concerning race on the established majority and the implementation of systematic discriminatory practices.00 00However, he does not see the victims of these practices as free of blame either.00 00West believes the manner of thinking and behavior of not all, but those disenfranchised people who recognize the crisis and refuse to offer themselves to a dramatic change in thought, are to blame as well.00 00To West’s view, persons who know there is a problem with their way of life and are reluctant to address the predicament deserve00 00no less blame than those persons who have worked to create the obstacles.00 00He appears to be speaking primarily to those persons who chose to disregard the benefits education and the obvious actions necessary to generate a stable lifestyle.00 00West states, “My aim is not to provide excuses for black behavior or to absolve blacks of personal responsibility.”00 00West places some of the blame where he believes some of the blame belongs.00 00The fact that there are avenues to achieve a better lifestyle is common knowledge, and it is up to the individual to pursue them.02br
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00 00The ideas and statements put forth by West in this book and others are in part a product of his upbringing and his own attitude toward life.00 00He is by any account an overachiever and has practiced what he preaches for most of his life.00 00As the son of middle-class parents who were at times still relegated to living in the poor and segregated parts of town, he had the unique view to observe what was possible and what was probable.00 00What was possible were of both of his parents, and what was probable was the somewhat degraded lifestyle seen in many of his neighbors homes.00 00His mother, Irene, was an educator and has an elementary school named for her in 00 where West grew up.00 00His father, Clifton Jr., was a civilian air force administrator at a time when many other people of color in the country worked not with their minds but with tools.00 00West saw the value as well as the effects of education.00 00He was a distinguished student early in his high school career and student body president in his junior and senior years.00 00West attended 00 where he graduated magna cum laude in 1973.00 00West also earned a both a Masters and a Doctoral degree from 00.00 00In addition, he holds more than 20 honorary degrees from institutions such as The College of New Rochelle, and has also won the American Book Award.00 00He is currently a professor at 00 but frequently appears for speaking engagements and radio commentary such as 01i00The Tavis Smiley Show02i00 on The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).00 02br
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00 00Some of West’s other publications include the sequel to 01i00Race Matters02i00,01i00 Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism 02i00(2005), as well as 01i00The Future of the Race02i00 (00199600, with Henry Louis Gates Jr.), 01i00Africa: The Art of a Continent02i00 (00199600),01i00 Struggles in the Promised Land: Toward a History of Black-Jewish Relations in the United States02i00 (00199700, with Jack Salzman).00 00This small list only represents a sample of his many published works dealing directly with subjects including race relations, governmental role and powers, social equality and rampant capitalism in the western world.02br
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00 01i00Race Matters02i00 was first published in 1993, one year after the riots in 00.00 00At the time race relations were at tense to say the least.00 00In 1992, the city of 00 exploded in a riot resulting from the acquittals of officers of the LAPD who were seen to beat motorist Rodney King after a car chase.00 00Fourteen years later, the material is still as relevant and as sharp as ever, West’s evaluations have lost nothing to the time passed.00 00If anything, the material is more important as it has held up through an anxious time in our country’s history.00 00Now that the riots have long past, tempers are cooler and thoughts more lucid, people may begin to re-examine this work without prejudices held before.00 00One unfortunate reason for this reduction in racial tension is in part to the attack on our nation on September 1101sup^{00th02sup}00 2001 carried out by religious fundamentalists.00 00The nation as a whole has been able to place its anger with a new real enemy as opposed to a perceived one.00 00The Muslim fundamentalists who attacked The United States were uninterested in color or background, only Americans.00 00In some ways the attack showed this nation that to others, we are in fact all the same.00 00As before, the problems approached in this book are with us now as they are likely to be in one form or another in the future.00 00They are just on hold for now, due to the more pressing issue of someone else hating us instead of us hating each other.00 02br
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00 00With the confidence and unorthodox views West provides, he is not short on supporters.00 00Reviews of this work are for most part positive and in praise of the matter of fact writing and freethinking.00 00He uses this book as he has used many of his others, to create a table for discussion.00 00To open the lines of communication between all those involved.00 00That being said, it would seem that his supporters are not nearly as vocal as his detractors are.00 00In a 01i00Wall Street Journal02i00 review of 01i00Race Matters02i00, editorial writer Matthew Rees not only reviews the book but also blasts West’s philosophies at every turn,00 00resigning his work as a whole as “victim-driven thinking” and “hyperbole”.00 02br
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00 00Writing with an undoubted conservatism and contempt for West’s ideas of what is necessary for the growth of better race relations and more equal opportunity; Rees takes a closed-minded view of the work.00 00For all of the wrong he finds with the book the last line of his review makes West’s point best.00 00Rees states, West ”correctly recognizes that economic and cultural advancement do not necessarily go hand in hand, but does not comprehend that advancement on both fronts is most likely to be achieved not through more government intervention, but instead through stable family units that emphasize thrift, responsibility and hard work.”00 00This statement is a paraphrase of many points raised in the book.00 00One of the underlying tones of 01i00Race Matters02i00 is that advancement of any kind rests with the person or persons looking to progress. 00 00Rees helps to bring to light West’s assessment of the conservative view on race relations, specifically, the lack of thought and the ability to 01i00see02i00 the problem at its core.00 00By Rees’ thinking if only the African American people would change, so would their situation.00 00The problem with this kind of thinking is there is no account for the racist practices and later laws that sought to drive these people into second-class citizenship.00 02br
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01i00 00Race Matters02i00 is another in a long line of books by West with a truly unique view on a subject of jaded contention: race.00 00The prose he brings to the issue helps everyone to step back, take a deep breath and think about it again.00 00West’s style of writing can almost come across as an intelligent note sent by a close friend.00 00The blunt and opinionated language helps to make the point and his feelings clear.00 00While 01i00Race Matters02i00 may not have all of the answers to problem, West does not hesitate to offer those he does have.00 00To his credit, West shows fully developed theories for his points and makes observations on the gritty facts missed or possibly avoided in other attempts.00 00What he offers is a candid, well thought-out publication with valuable opinions and an eye toward the future of race relations in this country if there are to be any. 00 00The 010200 belongs to none of us; this nation began as a place for those who were not welcome anywhere else.00 00The racial issues are a product of a failure to remember to principle idea of this nation, freedom.02br
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