A Public Dialogue Between bell hooks and Cornel West

A public dialogue between bell hooks & Cornel West hosted by Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts (www.newschool.edu/lang).
Cornel West is a prominent and provocative democratic intellectual. He has taught at Union Theological Seminary, Yale, Harvard and the University of Paris. He has written 19 books and edited 13 books. He appears frequently on the Bill Maher Show, Colbert Report, CNN and C-Span, Tavis Smiley’s PBS TV Show. He can be heard weekly with Tavis Smiley on Smiley & West, the national public radio program distributed by Public Radio International (PRI).
bell hooks (née Gloria Watkins) is among the leading public intellectuals of her generation. Her writings cover a broad range of topics including gender, race, teaching, and contemporary culture. This fall marks the 20th Anniversary of the publication of Teaching to Transgress: Education as a Practice of Freedom, Dr. hooks’ seminal book on educational practices. This weeklong residency is an opportunity for The New School community to directly engage with Dr. hooks and her commitment to education and learning as a place “where paradise can be created”
For more information on the bell hooks residency | www.newschool.edu/lang/bell-hooks-scholar-in-residence/
Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Wollman Hall, Eugene Lang College

[@johnf.hurtado1869]

these two love eachother like no other. They stimulate eachother, came up together, and rose to their own respective heights. This is true love in form.

[@tabergirl6586]

Rich people get taught; poor kids get tested.

[@zadh]

Taber deep thought ty

[@brittanybelo1361]

I don’t know why, but when Cornell says my prayer is to be a blessing, I immediately started to cry

[@l.kaywilson1009]

Damn, bell hooks is so brilliant. Dr. West has also profoundly influenced me as a revolutionary Christian.

[@vx633]

Wonderful dialogue between two true black intellectuals. Down to earth and engaging.

[@roywatley5110]

You got to love Professor West and Bell Hooks.

[@occupyyourmind4418]

This is great, but I can't help but notice the fact that mostly only affluent universities can draw speakers like Cornel West, Bell Hooks, Chris Hedges, etc. How ironic that the best activists end up mostly speaking about issues such as class, race, gender, social injustice, etc., to wealthy, privileged college kids who don't experience much injustice themselves. Wonder what would happen if these folks would start speaking in poor, inner city neighborhoods to people actually suffering under our current system. Would the people in the 'hood listen? Would they even show up to hear them speak? Could it be that mostly only the affluent are open to these ideas or educated enough to process them? Could it be that the average American is too brainwashed and doesn't have the leisure time (that the more affluent do have) to think about these ideas? If we can't speak to the poor or the average person about these ideas then, it seems to me, there's little hope for real, lasting change.

[@dannnnydannnn5201]

I understand where your coming from and I often ask myself the same question. It is worth noting that both Dr. West and Chris Hedges also speak in prisons. I understand what you’re saying and I think that it’s one of the great challenges when it comes to making any real kind of change. To bring together the poor and the working class with the middle upper class and the upper class is not easy. There are obviously a number of different barriers in the way and until we’re able to overcome them it’s going to be very difficult to go up against those that have a vested interest in making sure that that doesn’t happen. I suspect that if we ever get there it will be through focus on love and truth.

[@eileenmc4746]

correct. they don't have same fire in belly. beware the liberals said mlk

[@joshuaklein2859]

OccupyYourMind I believe the underprivileged class would be just as engaged given the opportunity, unfortunately they cannot bear the burden of costs for this entrance

[@marciwolff777]

Bell Hooks has taught in Harlem. There's a YT lecture she gives on the difference of agency, of her 'Ivy' League students vs. her equally bright Harlem league students. What's even better, is that so many of these lectures are available in the free online format. “On Being Black at Yale: Education as the Practice of Freedom”: “Fundamentally the purpose of my knowing was so I could serve those who did not know, so that I could learn and teach my own-education as the practice of freedom.” She knew that for a people historically and legally deprived of the right to education, teaching was one of the most substantial forms of political resistance she could choose." www.encyclopedia.com/people/social-sciences-and-law/social-reformers/bell-hooks

[@nathanreiber6819]

I disagree. You're only seeing them speak at these place, because they highest platform from which they can speak. Dr. West, does far more than speak before college students. He teaches in prisons. He joins poor people's in the streets. It's not a matter of who is able to attract them. They go to where they're needed. and then, on top of that, places like the new school invite (employ) them to speak. This is only a VERY small part of what they do. (This is also their job and they do expect to get paid.) I doubt they take speaking at colleges/universities very seriously. It's something they do to support their academic careers not as serious political activity.

[@1veggiemonster]

this is the first time I've watched a bell hooks lecture and laughed so many times!

[@erichawkins5738]

Brilliant discussion!!! This is something you can’t learn by simply sitting in a class.

[@alejandrosanchez527]

It's sad that none of The New School videos have CC available.

[@nsimmons9427]

+Alejandro Sanchez say that

[@wikkedchik90]

This is like the black star of academia

[@TheCrazyFinn]

wikkedchik90 I nominate Thomas Sowell.

[@myke3332001]

LOL

[@kiiesmira]

Waiting for the next time these two are together delivering love and delight in struggle.

[@pinkcloudsnightlightbell]

Freaking amazing. This is what teaching as a practice of freedom looks like #stunned #impressed #inspired Time now to #teachtotransgress

[@SummerHillSeven]

I loved it - you are absolutely right Sister Hooks - Fun is Essential - Joy In Struggle - "Time to consider is there a struggle that can restore to me that since of joy"

[@RB-oz1mm]

These two are some of the smartest people on the planet. Love them!

[@jonpaul3604]

One of the finest thinkers out there.

[@ayannahogan4964]

I love them together

[@Wearehealingbeings]

Thank you thank you thank you! Gorgeous, loving and passionate minds!

[@jessicafalstein]

Outstanding. Must watch!

[@Mns_87]

I wish people asking questions would use the mic.. makes it much easier for hard of hearing folks!

[@annadunwell3237]

Thank you bell hooks and Cornel West!

[@omireio]

And I asked Cornel, my philosopher friend If I should bother dating un-intellectual men And Cornel said, "You're lucky to even know me. You're lucky to be alive. ..."

[@SagesseNoir]

Wow! I've met Carl Dix and Cornel West I've known for some time

[@kiiesmira]

Laughing and Learning

[@daniellemaccarthy7404]

Connected to the mothership

[@nsimmons9427]

30:00 Charlene Carruthers has enamored me with the distinction between ‘integrity’ and ‘perfection’ that she’s put forth in her new book “Unapologetic”. I think this distinction is rather handy when thinking about the discourse that bell hooks opens up about David Chappelle at this time mark. Perfection, for Carruthers, is the denial of self interest and harmful impacts we might hold or perpetuate-integrity is being radically honest and transparent about these weights we carry while striving to engage our communities with as minimal harm as possible. I mention this because bell hooks and West are regularly praised for their courage that often compels them to say and to speak difficult truths even when they come with much risk. While this candor doesn’t have to be ‘perfect’ meaning I don’t expect them to vocalize every tendentious argument they might have, I do expect their candor to have ‘integrity’ and for them to be upfront about their bias and self-interest as to why they’re not vocalizing or speaking about a certain topic when something ought to be said. For example, that conversation about James Brown should not have concluded without mentioning of his history with domestic abuse, particularly because bell had just touched on the subject matter. And at the time stamp at the beginning of my comment, I think it was irresponsible for bell to portray Dave Chappelle’s refusal to wear a dress as unwillingness to collude with misogynoir practices of caricaturing “the Black female body” and more about his internalizing of those hypermasculine values which manifested themselves for David as contempt for femininity and the regarding of femininity as a contaminant of the masculine.

[@nsimmons9427]

31:23 “love can trump the truth sometimes” Cornel just answered it.

[@HDliketheTV]

I'm back again for the 5th time.

[@Bentmatchstick]

33:00 this is the way classrooms should be.

[@ianwallace4127]

This is so great! Love the honesty, intelligence, care.

[@GoogleUser-wy2vv]

beautiful

[@CINEMATIQmagTV]

EXCELLENT DISCUSSION!!! I appreciated the spirituality aspect of the discussion to the "Joy & Struggle" going hand and hand- if not, one must step back! More specifically, I want to comment on two things that touched me deeply:12:21:00 Bell Hook response at 1:21:35 this question was profound and more often than non left out of the discussion around color-ism. I wish Bell Hooks was in Bill Duke's 'Light Girls' documentary. Her observation was defiantly one of the missing elements in the documentary. As for educating our Black youth; I believe anything is better than allowing a Black child(both girls & boys) to attend public school (inner-city or otherwise). Home schooling is best. It doesn't make any sense one learn African studies for the first time (beyond, slavery & MLK) until they attend college. Then when you get to college chances one will be taught about one's own people by a non- person of color. I am specifically critiquing and challenging public school curriculum and the lack of diversity of professors. Diversity in they case does not include white professors that are women. The lack of Black professors is a major problem. Furthermore, Blacks are able to teach college level beyond African studies but yet the majority of professors across the board are white as well - why? Like Cornel West said 19:00, "Rich kids get taught, poor kids get tested." I wonder if that is the same strategy used to recruit professors. Once upon time, Black scholars were about to get professor positions now you will be lucky if you're an adjunct. #Peace

[@APGifts]

CINEMATIQmag TV . In regards to the 'Light Girls' Documentary .. more people need to realize and accept that THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ... A LIGHT-SKINNED BLACK person and they need to try to learn how to STOP Racially-Kidnapping people. . plus.google.com/102311719580461249997/posts/YB15Rfa5wat .

[@conniewalker-carter5835]

Joy at Last!

[@christophertheconqueror8751]

God I love this lol. blessings to our few leaders left

[@carolmcbrideonline]

so good.

[@lesoleirvin3865]

Two of my favorite people,together,i one video. Thank God.

[@zacharytaylor3200]

yall are so entertaining together! i love it!

[@joanbrown8881]

Wonderful and inspiring!

[@elee8294]

this is the first time i don't see a white person asking a question

[@runninginthesubway]

pleasure in the WORK!! YES!! The work in itself is sustenance. Reminds me of Audre Lorde writing about finding the erotic in doing your work, the joy the pleasure and the power of it.

[@Vanessa-iq3vt]

is there a podcast with these talks?

[@omeander]

to put love at the centre of her theoretical and practical work is what it should be all about bell hooks we salute while kissing you

[@wyvern132]

Cornel West sounds like a pastor

[@TanyerLamb]

I think these two are my OTP

[@kennadibroussard]

This is soooo good ❤

[@fellowcitizen]

Intro almost entered Clive James territory a couple of times - I was waiting for the punchline.

[@mosimarasesemola9446]

49:38 this moment

[@sirpoppinchuck]

Wow what would you do if you could only listen to music after 2001 wow. great no soul. Great groups dang good analogy. i said same thing Roots is the last hip-hop band! I Love Cornel West. My Cousin Jaime Bledsoe met him. Great i have some books by Cornel! That was great!!!!

[@giggs112008]

What's the DJ's name again?

[@jjw1920]

Bell is obsessed with beyonce on the down low I think

[@HDliketheTV]

33:20 it' gets hilarious.

[@nthawi]

Hooks ft cornel ad-libs

[@nthawi]

Still dope though

[@nthawi]

+DZIKO STICKS switching to West ft Hooks on ad-libs

[@nthawi]

+DZIKO STICKS love it

[@reubennatal1112]

Does anyone know the date of this conversation

[@SagesseNoir]

No one gives a date. But West's BLACK PROPHETIC FIRES is referenced in the introduction. And I don't think that book has been out longer than a year.

[@itsmissvsworld]

Wednesday, October 8, from this link. www.newschool.edu/lang/bell-hooks-scholar-in-residence/

[@Ojan36]

Bout time you shouted out Bob Marley Dr. West!!!

[@gregoryrussell3221]

Lonely planet..

[@nancymohass4891]

Where is this collage?

[@garrettokenka3443]

Nancy Mohass Sarasota Fl

[@DerekFullerWhoIsGovt]

Should we be thankful for our birth right?

[@apolloguide]

jimmy fallon caved in to the network's insistence that he be a really odious queen called Mango....some have character and some don't.

[@austin0031]

I've had comparable experiences to the one described at 1:09:39, and I think those types of experiences play a critical role in forming white fear of young black boys and men.

[@panducation4119]

That went " left"

[@THEBAREBACCPODCAST]

New Haven here on the check in The lord of The Manor 06515

[@metatrongroove2824]

new school = no chairs

[@victoriakawesa3558]

Wow. The chemistry is on fire...so sad that they did not make it happen as a couple. It never materialises, brilliant black men and women entering a partnership. So sad....its black men that fail us.

[@nothingmatters321]

I admire West and hooks enormously, but this is self-congratulatory puff.

[@soulfuzz368]

Isn’t most of academia?

[@farshidkhorasani9346]

🕯🗽📓📙📘

[@daniel-fd9ih]

Can someone tell me why these two intelligent people identify as part of a religion?

[@paullap88]

Having an affiliation with a religion in no way hinders one's intellectual status or ability. Drop the religiophobia. It's infantile.

[@daniel-fd9ih]

It does not hinder one's intellectual status hence I called them intelligent, I can't understand why they identify as part of a religion. I really am interested in how cornel west interprets the world. I really can't seem to grasp this. I've heard him say once that science can't deal in truths, with newton science has given up on truths and only strives towards truths. I agree, but don't see as a negative thing.

[@ewaldkruger2874]

Ha-ha. Of course it does. And what IS infantile is religion.

[@paullap88]

Neat.

[@lisagee3318]

I am not doctor West what sustains mean is the understand time never gets lost with range veins you never get lost what time Independence I don't believe is something that you ever ever never put your eyes on so it's always hope for another that is not languages are lost when others have been hated I don't believe another put that eyes on others that hated so much nobody will live in kindergarten that would not understand the sickness and also how others were strong sickness could not affect what was true that others had in common Independence to be able to maintain family and also be able to help others outside of a Indian family I don't believe that black people can never get lost especially when it was not a race that forgot about maintaining Independence that is not made you going to go to school now Donald Trump is the president of the United States I don't believe that you're reading this when John McCain did not raise the flag in the south how happy someone is for the people of the South I don't believe the people in New York forgot about the people of the South just like I don't believe that the people of the East forgot the respect of another that you do not put your eyes one I am not King the respect for the valley when I did not have a drum in the Congo outside of an Indian family others will understand the difference so others do not get lost the president is Donald Trump now don't tell me history got lost with anybody was walking the ground if anybody got label president what did Jesus mean somebody is labeled they forgot when others have to maintain family don't tell me you don't know what we have in common now I have a list I'm so many things I don't even have numbers and don't let me start respectful another oh yes

[@brochronicles]

why do i feel like Cornel was still being misogynistic during this entire thing. grosses me out.

[@tom11zz884]

Bell Hooks just need to be quiet and stop interrupting Dr. West and let the man finish what he is saying. She comes off as extremely annoying and arrogant.

[@daniellemaccarthy7404]

I respect your opinion but I am completely baffled by your observation. The half hour I have just witnessed is the most eloquent and poetic dialogue between two people I have heard for such a long time The way they interject, picking up on each other's points , having the skill and intellect to see another point of view from their interlocutor, crossing each other with wit and dignity. It is beautiful and they are present with their soul and eyes open.

[@stankbutt88]

Danielle MacCarthy I agree with you wholeheartedly. tom11zz884 comes off as misogynist and out of touch

[@capoislamort100]

Danielle MacCarthy He just doesn't understand that dynamic relationship that they have, that's why he said that

[@iloverette]

you're probably not used to a woman - a black woman at that - steering and directing a conversation especially with a black man involved. It's interesting you observed that she "cut him off" - when there were plenty of times that they both spoke over each other (go back and watch it if you need evidence). It was a very relaxed dialogue, not an interview for Cornel West - get with it. They were just feeding off of each other.

[@daniel-fd9ih]

they interrupt each other at times.

[@SagesseNoir]

Wow! I've met Carl Dix and Cornel West I've known for some time