Cornel West Speaks

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 has received more than 20 honorary degrees. He 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. West has published numerous books since, including Democracy Matters, in which he analyzed the arrested development of democracy both in America and in the crisis-ridden Middle East. In Hope on a Tightrope, West offered courageous commentary on issues that affect the lives of all Americans. Themes include Race, Leadership, Faith, Family, Philosophy, and Love and Service. His most recent book is titled, Brother West: Living and Loving Outloud, A Memoir.

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.

West has produced three albums. His latest CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations is a collection of socially conscious music featuring collaborations with Prince, Outkast, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli and KRS-ONE.

West co-starred in the documentary film, STAND: What Do You STAND For? He also offers commentary on The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI.