Keynote speaker Dr. Cornel West talks race and humanity

Dan Schryer
Staff Writer

This past Friday, Jan. 23, North Central College hosted keynote speaker Dr. Cornel West for an on-campus lecture on civil rights. This was the second time Dr. West has visited North Central, following his appearance in 2010.

A graduate of Harvard and Princeton universities, Dr. West has made a name for himself in the African-American social activist community. Regarded as a philosopher, author, and musician, among other titles, Dr. West has appeared on such programs as “Real Time with Bill Maher” and the 2008 documentary “Examined Life”.

Dr. West’s visit took place during Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week. After a reception at the A. A. Smith house, where he shook hands with President Troy Hammond and other faculty members, Dr. West was escorted to Pfeiffer Hall, where he gave his lecture.

At the reception, Dr. West praised the efforts of liberal arts schools such as North Central and lauded musicians and other artists for their contributions to society.

“From Beethoven to Cole Train…they speak at a very deep and visceral and intellectual level what it means to be human,” said Dr. West. “And, of course, social movements struggle for social justice and fundamental questions about what it means to be human and how to treat people.”

“I think that musicians are the vanguard of the species,” continued Dr. West, “because they wrestle with the depths of pain and suffering and try to transfigure it in such a way that we can remain active agents in a very dark and cruel world.”

Dr. West had much to say about recent national news stories, especially those relating to Eric Garner and Fergusson, Missouri. Dr. West emphasized the importance of social activism and human rights not only to those oppressed, but to humans everywhere. “It cuts across race, it cuts across gender, it cuts across sexual orientation,” said Dr. West.

Still, Dr. West urged others to learn from the mistakes of the past and work towards a better, more loving society. “The fundamental question is always whether the rage will be channeled through love and justice or hatred and revenge,” commented Dr. West.