Philosopher, theologian, and activist, West was described by the New York Times as "a cosmopolitan public intellectual among academic specialists Thiemann said West is "the only person on the intellectual scene capable of inheriting the mantle of Reinhold Niebuhr. With love and insight, West's Race Matters will help guide Americans toward a genuine multiracial democracy. Read more Find a copy online Links to this item Table of contents. Allow this favorite library to be seen by others Keep this favorite library private.
Save Cancel. Find a copy in the library Finding libraries that hold this item Race matters. Despite the increasing climate of racial hatred and violence in America, discussions of race seem to be mired in traditional liberal and conservative rhetoric. Reviews User-contributed reviews Add a review and share your thoughts with other readers. Be the first. Add a review and share your thoughts with other readers. Tags Add tags for "Race matters". African Americans -- Race identity.
African American leadership. Race relations. United States. He also has quite a lyrical way with words not too many scholarly big words, but also not too over-simplified that gets his point across perfectly. If anything, I wish Cornell would've given just a little praise to some if any? Also, I had to keep reminding myself that this book is over 10 years old, although I think it's still greatly needed even today.
As I wondered what is his thoughts on current violent race relations then corrected myself on its publication date I realized there are actually some tidbits here and there that do indirectly address what is happening today.
Apr 16, Francesca Calarco rated it really liked it. In Race Matters , Dr. Cornel West addresses a number of race-related issues with a collection of eight thought-provoking essays. Published in , many of these explorations focus on case studies of the period.
That said, given Dr. Given this framework, i In Race Matters , Dr. Given this framework, in addition to an overview of racism in America, this collection also offers critiques of the black community including: in actions to Clarence Thomas, nihilism, what Dr.
West considered a lack of black leadership in the 90s , black conservatism, anti-Semitism, and any type of self-loathing that undervalued black bodies.
West is undeniably an academic writer; this combined with his straight-forward honesty makes this collection a compelling read. My only critique would be that given the broad range of topics he covers, I do wish that he would have expanded a bit more upon some of these prompts.
This is not to say that anything is underdeveloped, I just wish there was more material. I definitely recommend it. Oct 23, Sheri rated it it was amazing Shelves: poverty-class-issues , nonfiction , race. West provides a very rational discussion on the different ways that race is still significant in this country. He presents the arguments that it is not just structural discrimination, but cultural and behavioral choice that work together to create and reinforce the inner city ghetto: "The predominance of this way of life among those living in poverty-ridden conditions, with a limited capacity to ward off self-contempt and self-hatred, results in the possible triumph of the nihilistic threat in b West provides a very rational discussion on the different ways that race is still significant in this country.
He presents the arguments that it is not just structural discrimination, but cultural and behavioral choice that work together to create and reinforce the inner city ghetto: "The predominance of this way of life among those living in poverty-ridden conditions, with a limited capacity to ward off self-contempt and self-hatred, results in the possible triumph of the nihilistic threat in black America. He also acknowledges the vast class differences between races and the tendency of black middle classes to abandon the fight once they achieve individual success.
He also highlights the problem with consumerism and capitalist pursuit of pleasure above all other things, especially for a marginalized lower class: "market activity has contributed greatly to the disorientation and confusion of American youth, and those with less education and fewer opportunities bear the brunt of this cultural chaos. He speaks from the point of view of empowering black Americans without the vitriolic voice heard in Coates' work. Jul 26, Jesse rated it really liked it Shelves: read-in A sharp and eloquent book, marred by a few loose arguments here and there.
West is dead-on about many things, patiently and carefully laying out volatile issues and explaining approaches to improve them. Since this is a collection of essays, basically, some will obviously interest you more than others, but they're all worth reading and mulling over. The only weak points come at some moments in his reasoning, at which he substitutes a pat conclusion or an unsourced claim for a more carefully plan A sharp and eloquent book, marred by a few loose arguments here and there.
The only weak points come at some moments in his reasoning, at which he substitutes a pat conclusion or an unsourced claim for a more carefully planned argument most egregious when he calls out black conservatives for making conclusions without providing sources and context, then later in the same chapter makes a number of contentious general statements about black conservatives Still: the book is well-written, carefully argued for the most part , and thoughtfully empathetic.
Nov 28, Ericka Clou rated it really liked it Shelves: book-club-dad , own-read , dad-nonfiction , antiracism , read-nonfiction , sociology , philosophy , 0-own-nonfiction , s , writer-poc. Interesting nuanced views. I was especially interested in his specific ideas about capitalist consumerism and mass media pushing particular values, especially increased sexuality and violence.
I was also interested in his discussion of redistribution of wealth that predominantly affects the middle class and not the poor and his short essay on Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill which stood the test of time pretty well. West's essay about black and white sexuality reminded me a lot of some essay I read Interesting nuanced views.
West's essay about black and white sexuality reminded me a lot of some essay I read in college about sexuality as rebellion in Cuba's oppressive regime. And feminism also talks a lot about the patriarchy's restriction of sexuality. It doesn't strike me as intuitive, and I struggle to understand why sexual control leads to political control?
But it seems universal and pervasive in oppressive regimes all over the world. Nov 24, Nancy rated it really liked it. I so wish I was close enough to Princeton to be able to take a course or two of his there - although I hear he is moving to Union Theological Seminary soon to teach there. Race Matters is a series of lectures exposing and criticizing the moral ethics of racism and many other isms that run side by side with racism.
The beginning story from Cornel West's real life experience in preparing this book for publication says it all. Nothing trumps the lived experience. As Bob Marley said - who feels it kno I so wish I was close enough to Princeton to be able to take a course or two of his there - although I hear he is moving to Union Theological Seminary soon to teach there. As Bob Marley said - who feels it knows it.
Very thought-provoking. I so admire the man for his openness to debate and his clarity of position and thought. I followed West throughout the run up for President - supportive of Obama but with a critical edge. I'll probably read this book again soon. I love hearing Brother Cornel West speak. I've long been attracted to his unique perspective, style, and eloquence. He's a very likable and dynamic scholar. And that's why I've long been eager to read some of his works.
I thought all of these wonderful qualities would translate well to text, but they really don't. West's brilliance is here, but the POW! Partly, this is because this slim volume isn't given the space that is needed. Each essay is more of a snippet of a much bigger thoug I love hearing Brother Cornel West speak. Each essay is more of a snippet of a much bigger thought.
Part is the age, most of the essays are from the early s, and topics such as Clarence Thomas seem antiquated. Still, Race Matters is an important and very scholarly collection, but not one that left this reader in awe. Nov 20, Scott rated it did not like it. Reading black historical figures Frederick Douglas and contemporary black conservatives like T sowell stimulates my mind and gives me hope for black Americans. But Cornel West likes to hear the own sound of his voice even when his arguments are shallow, unsupported by fact or even common sense, or simply hostile.
I fear for our universities of higher knowledge if this man, so stuck in the past, can be a tenured professor and teach young people to fix themselves on issues of race, when most o Reading black historical figures Frederick Douglas and contemporary black conservatives like T sowell stimulates my mind and gives me hope for black Americans. I fear for our universities of higher knowledge if this man, so stuck in the past, can be a tenured professor and teach young people to fix themselves on issues of race, when most of us just want to see our black friends thrive.
Feb 08, Adam rated it liked it Shelves: race-and-ethnicity , current-events , african-american-studies. I wish I knew more about social justice and the context in which West writes. I sense this to be an insightful work by a brilliant man but am not fully able to grasp its profundity. What I get here is that race does indeed matter.
Especially in discussions of race. While seemingly obvious, apparently this point is not as commonly accepted or widely appreciated at it seems it would be, or should be. Definitely worth another read at some point. This is the 25th anniversary edition of "Race Matters.
With the new introduction the book is only about pages long. But what a great pages! Cornel West, of Harvard, insists that a serious discussion of race must start with the flaws in American society - inequalities, injustices, and stereotypes - racial hierarchy, the maldistribution of income and wealth, and the arbitrary maldistribution This is the 25th anniversary edition of "Race Matters.
Cornel West, of Harvard, insists that a serious discussion of race must start with the flaws in American society - inequalities, injustices, and stereotypes - racial hierarchy, the maldistribution of income and wealth, and the arbitrary maldistribution of political power. It is a very welcome thing to see his deep understanding of neoliberal, "free market," economics as central to America's flaws. The chapter on black conservatives like economist Thomas Sowell and others who wear "ideological blinders" is right on the mark.
In fact, all of these short chapters are significantly important. What is to be done? West offers several points.
First, the establishment a "new framework for black thought and practice. This new framework should be a prophetic one of moral reasoning - based on ideas of a mature black identity, coalition strategy, and black cultural democracy Easy to say 5 stars! I've watched Cornel West speak so many times, whether as a commentator on the news or just talks posted on YouTube— and, of course, anytime he's in conversation with bell hooks.
But, I had never taken the time to read his most well-known work "Race Matters". In the age of so many people profiting from anti-racist literature, I think it's most important to read the work of those who have been actively discussing race and anti-racism for decades.
Cornel West is one of those people, and he breaks t I've watched Cornel West speak so many times, whether as a commentator on the news or just talks posted on YouTube— and, of course, anytime he's in conversation with bell hooks. Cornel West is one of those people, and he breaks things down in such a thoughtful way, critiquing even those whom he respects, always providing historical context and citing great thinkers like Du Bois, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Martin Luther King Jr.
West reminds us of the past, while remaining aware of how times and culture has shifted— I walk away from this with more to read, more to learn, and profound hope for the future. Highlights: - America was a business project before it became a democratic experiment. And the revolutionary American effort was built on Indigenous peoples' land and bodies, as well as Black peoples enslavement and expropriation. How people act and live are shaped— though in no way dictated and determined— by the larger circumstances in which they find themselves.
Yet many black folk now reside in a jungle ruled by a cutthroat market morality It tends to ignore the division of class and sexual orientation in black America— divisions that require attention if all black interests, individuals, and communities are to be taken into consideration. Jan 31, Tavan T rated it it was amazing. If I could give this book six stars I would! While reading it, I was washed with a wave of mixed emotions. On one hand, I found myself in complete admiration of Cornel West's brilliance and eloquence in laying bare the issues of race, sex, class, and capital in America.
Join our Signed First Edition Club or give a gift subscription for a signed book of great literary merit, delivered to you monthly. Map Find Harvard Book Store ». Harvard University harvard. Advanced Search. Our Shelves. Gift Cards. We ignore his truth in Race Matters at our personal and national peril. Goodreads reviews. You might also be interested in:.
0コメント