Dr. Cornel West, Philosopher of the Blues
“The Supreme Love and Revolutionary Funk of Dr. Cornel West, Philosopher of the Blues.” Jeff Sharlet over at Killing the Buddha attempts to unravel the enigma that is Dr. Cornel West, who’s been called “perhaps the preeminent black intellectual of our generation.”
People like Ghandi and Jesus, with capacities to forgive the myriad atrocities committed against them and the people they love, are very, very rare. Because pushing one’s self towards resolution and forgiveness at all costs is unnatural to humans. It feels wrong–like you’re a coward and a fool and worse. It keeps you up at night (but then again so does the alternative). If a caveman aimed for resolution rather than might, he’d probably be dead–murdered by someone he foolishly turned his back on. So we still have these outdated biological drives in us that compel us to keep anger and distrust alive. I don’t blame anyone who’s been discriminated against and abused for being angry and distrusful, or for seeking a reckoning–it’s natural–for the greastest sufferers it’s PTSD.
I think Obama begins at Buddah’s bottom line: no love can be achieved through hate, no equality through inequality–a very, very difficult thing to do for someone who has experienced the injustice he has. And I’m sure for many who are justifiably angry, his stance ignores the injustices of the past. But will we evolve out of hate and racism through more hate? Not that we can’t dissent and speak our minds, but to say a Presidential administration led by an African American based on inclusivity doesn’t take into consideration most marginalized African Americans simply doesn’t make sense.
I agree with Mr. West when he said the history of race in this country is full of steps backwards. All evolution is. But certainly it’s a step backwards to say that, in the history of race in America, an African American President (who deeply respects Mr. West) is a step backwards. That’s like saying food is bad for people who are starving. But Mr. West seems flooded with contradictions: love via hate, life via death, etc. He does have great taste in music though!