Cornel West: pens powerful new book, 'Democracy Matters'

Jet, Dec 13, 2004

You can always count on outspoken scholar Dr. Cornel West to speak his mind and tell it as he sees it.

Such is the case with his latest book, the bold, hard-hitting and thought-provoking, Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism (Penguin Press, $24.95).

The book is reshaping national debate over America's role in today's troubled world and calls for a new commitment to democratic values.

He notes how the 9/11 terrorist attacks changed America: "Never before have Americans of all classes, colors, regions, religions, genders and sexual orientations felt unsafe, unprotected, subject to random violence and hated."

West is currently the Class of 1943 University Professor of Religion at Princeton University. His breakthrough book, Race Matters, was published in 1993 and has become a contemporary classic on race relations in America. West is the recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees and has held positions at Harvard University, Yale University, Union Theological Seminary and the University of Paris. His other books include The Cornel West Reader, Keeping the Faith and The American Evasion of Philosophy.

West earned his bachelor's degree from Harvard and his master's and doctorate from Princeton University. A sought-after speaker on the lecture circuit, West's eloquent speaking style, formed by his roots in the Baptist church, blends drama, knowledge and inspiration.

West, Tavis Smiley and Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will resume their "Pass the Mic" tour next year.

West has recorded two hip-hop-flavored, spoken word CDs, Sketches of My Culture and the recently released, Street Knowledge. "I am a teacher, so I use different avenues to express my passion to communicate," he explains.