Posted on 05/16/2003 8:17:47 AM PDT by Helms
Who Is Cornell West (West and East in Matrix Reloaded Cameo Appearance)?
West supposedly studied at one time under the famous Nietzsche scholar, Walter Kaufman (Princeton), who is often credited for having popularized Fredrick Nietzsche. West left Harvard recently to return to Princeton after Lawrence Summers became President of Harvard.
The United States currently has a few highly acknowledged major philosophers (Steven Pinker, Daniel Dennett, John Searle)yet West seems to fall into a quasi philosophical niche of religion and metaphysics. His appearance in the newest Matrix is apropos.
West's appearances before Ralph Nader and other more lefty wing causes do however call into question his judgment. Judgment is important when accessing those with high IQ and or intellect. Intellect and judgment are two entirely separate faculties and Liberalism is known for high and genius like intellect while lacking the judgment necessary to conform with human nature and reality.
No doubt West is like many of his ilk, endowed with great intellect yet not so great judgment.
A slight bio. and weblinks follow.
Cornel West, professor of African-American studies and philosophy of religion at Harvard University, has been a champion for racial justice since childhood. A noted social and economic philosopher, he has taken his struggle for racial equity to the national spotlight. His best-selling book, "Race Matters," touched a nerve in the American public and triggered a national debate on race issues.
West graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in only three years. He earned his master's and doctorate degrees from Princeton University. He then became a professor of religion and the director of the Afro-American Studies program at Princeton.
Of particular interest (http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:VjS7EFeE44gC:www.mugu.com/pipermail/upstream-list/2002-January/004013.html+cornell+west+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8):
[Upstream] Jackson, Harvard & Cornell West Robert L. Gleiser rgleiser@tscnet.com Mon, 31 Dec 2001 16:27:25 -0800
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Jackson, Harvard to Talk Diversity
By Associated Press
December 31, 2001, 2:55 PM EST
BOSTON -- Jesse Jackson plans to visit Harvard University for discussions about the school's diversity policy because of reports that high-profile black professors are considering leaving in a rift with the administration.
Jackson said he does not consider the issue a conflict but "we need to clarify the situation," he told The Associated Press.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. and two other prominent members of Harvard's Afro-American studies department -- Cornel West and Anthony Appiah -- have fallen out with new Harvard President Lawrence Summers, who they claim has acted abrasively and suggested West has acted in ways unbecoming to a Harvard professor, The Boston Globe reported. They are considering leaving for Princeton University.
Summers, inaugurated in October, reportedly rebuked West for recording a rap CD, for leading a political committee for the Rev. Al Sharpton's possible presidential campaign, and for allowing grade inflation in his introductory black studies course.
"I don't think university presidents should lecture faculty on their political positions," Appiah said. "If he did it, he shouldn't have."
West said earlier this month that he would take his second leave of absence in two years from Harvard, for treatment of prostate cancer.
Summers said he supports diversity and meant no offense. "It's a very unfortunate misunderstanding if my views have been perceived in other ways," he said.
Following the report in the Globe on Dec. 22 and one in The New York Times on Saturday, Jackson said on Sunday that he planned to seek a meeting with Summers and would visit Harvard even if Summers turns him down.
Harvard spokesman Joe Wrinn said Monday that his office had received Jackson's request for a meeting and forwarded it to Summers' office. He said the university is closed until Wednesday.
There was no answer at West's office Monday, and messages left for Gates and Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree, who has spoken on West's behalf, were not immediately returned.
Citing interviews with more than a dozen Harvard faculty, staff and administrators, the Globe reported the rift began when Summers would not make a strong statement in support of affirmative action at a meeting with department members. Summers says he does support diversity.
The Globe said Gates and Appiah visited Princeton in mid-December and met with campus leaders. West, who was a graduate student and taught there before coming to Harvard in 1994, has also spoken to officials there.
Gates, author of "Loose Cannons: Notes on the Culture Wars" and a winner of a 1998 National Humanities Medal, said: "I do not have an offer from Princeton."
West, author of the best-selling "Race Matters" and one of just 14 Harvard faculty members to carry the special title "university professor," also would not comment.
West's album, "Sketches of My Culture," a mixture of rap and spoken word, was released in September.
___
On the Net:
Harvard W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research: http://web-dubois.fas.harvard.edu/
Henrey Louis Gates Interview w/ West:http://www.angelfire.com/folk/critical_voices/cornell_west_interview.html
West at Nader Rally:http://www.darumamedia.org/html/cwest1.html
BET Interview w/ Cornell West:http://www.thecriticalvoice.com/westbet.html
Which is a good thing.
LOL
Yes...I saw him on TV a few times and got the same impression. He comes off as a burn out, who thinks he is a great intellectual.
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