Thursday, April 2, 2009

Dr. Cornel West, Professor of Religion and African-American Studies at Princeton University, spoke to a packed crowd Foellinger Auditorium on Thursday, April 2. The event was entitled, “Has the Dream been Realized,” referring to Martin Luther King Jr’s, “I Have a Dream” speech. The Black Law Students Association and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity along with funding from the Cultural Resources Fee as well as the Student Organization Resource Fee organized the event.

Known for his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, West’s work focuses on race and class in American society. During the event, he discussed the way popular culture has skewed Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy saying, “Martin wanted you to be love struck rather than colorblind.” To deny someone’s color or their differences from oneself is to trivialize their struggle, he continued. The key to Martin Luther King Jr’s dream was to love people and embrace their humanity while taking into account their color and personal experiences.

He contrasted this with today’s definition of success of “making it versus making it right.” West said that rather than a success defined by “being well adjusted to injustice and well adapted to intolerance,” people should realize that everyone’s destiny is intertwined and work together. He denounced the economic double standards of this country by mentioning the billion-dollar bailout of major corporations and contrasted that with the advice given to the lower class- “pull yourselves up by your bootstraps and work hard.”

West also commented on the Obama presidency, saying that it was important to be critical of the President’s actions and policies. To do so only demonstrates that the population is helping their leader make appropriate decisions and helping to better the American future, he pointed out.

The event was inclusive. Although he focused on the plight of the African-American struggle in the United States, he extended his message to include all struggles in this country such as poverty in the face of the economic. His final point to the diverse crowdwas clear- to move on with the future through “clarity, courage, and compassion.”

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