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Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2008Cornel West to Speak on Campus November 6
United Students Government is proud to present Cornel West, one of America’s most provocative public intellectuals, on Thursday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall.
A champion of racial justice since childhood, West uses his writing, speaking, and teaching to weave together the traditions of the black Baptist Church, progressive politics, and jazz. The New York Times has praised his “ferocious moral vision.”
West 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-million copies to date. In addition, he has published 18 other books and has edited 13 texts.
Currently the Class of 1943 Professor at Princeton University, West earned two bachelor’s degrees from Harvard in three years, magna cum laude. Martin Kilson, one of his professors, described 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.
In his last book, Democracy Matters, West analyzes the arrested development of democracy both in America and in the crisis-ridden Middle East. He argues that if America is to become a better steward of democratization around the world, it must first recognize its own long history of imperialist corruption. His latest CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations, is a collection of socially conscience music featuring collaborations with Prince, Outkast, Jill Scott, and Talib Kweli. West also offers weekly commentary on The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI.
West was an influential force in developing the storyline for the popular Matrix movie trilogy and has served as its official spokesperson, as well as playing a recurring role in the final two films.
Tickets are on sale now for Buffalo State students only ($5). Tickets may be purchased in person at the Rockwell Hall box office with valid student ID and are limited to two per person.
Any remaining tickets will go on sale to faculty, staff, and the general public on Thursday, October 23, for $20 each. Contact the Rockwell Hall Box Office, 878-3005, for more information.
