An Evening with Cornel West - Writer's Symposium by the Sea 2022

Cornel West, Ph.D., is a prominent and provocative intellectual. He is Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary and has written 20 books and edited 13. He's best known for his classics, "Race Matters and Democracy Matters," and for his memoir, "Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud." His most recent book, "Black Prophetic Fire," offers an unflinching look at nineteenth- and twentieth-century African American leaders and their visionary legacies. As part of the annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea, director of Point Loma Nazarene University's journalism program Dean Nelson has an engaging and inspiring conversation with West about his lifelong work as a theologian, civil rights activist and author. [4/2022] [Show ID: 37097]
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[@jordanwood183]

I’m 39 year old white American man, & I discovered Cornel West around the age 18 through his books. He’s one of my heroes in life. I’m an agnostic/Atheist, but he makes me want to be a Christian, because I want what he seems to have.

[@TheTaoOfChrisG]

What he has is grace. What you are hearing is his testimony.

[@josiplilic3384]

I've turned 40,have been reading & listening Dr West for 15 years! He is my beloved intelectual, inspires me to be a better person! He's also a world's treasure,but I fear that hacks like Jordan Peterson, Candace Owens & even(on the left) Jimmy Dore are more relevant to younger generations(race doesn't matter here). That's why our current predicament is so grim! Peace!

[@carlkuss]

That is a lovely comment.

[@harrymadray6362]

Dr. West is a Treasure indeed! We all learn and absorb so much from this beloved Truth-Speaking brother! His honesty and sincerity comes through clearly as crystal water! So-called Christians can learn so much from him due to his example of Love for All peoples!!

[@josiplilic3384]

@@harrymadray6362 Amen!

[@ElGatoMarcus]

I see Cornell West and I click immediately. Such an inspiration.

[@josiplilic3384]

Absolutely! Inteligencia is so corrupted & smug! Cornel West,Chris Hedges & couple of others haven't sold out!

[@paulriccitelli9179]

@@josiplilic3384 Chris hedges got banned from KZbin….tells you a lot doesn’t it

[@josiplilic3384]

@@paulriccitelli9179 so,next in line are Greenwald,Taibi,Abby Martin & guys from Grey Zone?I can't recall any decent journalist from English speaking area! Ministry of truth will end,not only free speech,than any trace of common sense! To say peace, today is also prohibited!

[@ProfessorNorris1]

Yesss! Me too.

[@KingJames-dv5pj]

Likewise. I'd love to hear a lecture in person

[@sonnetsandtruth1642]

Every single line , wisdom , heartfelt , truly meant and overflowing with light. I would love to one day be able to sit in the same 5 mile radius as this great soul. How lucky anyone is to hear him in person. I can’t sleep tonight , so I thought let me listen to Dr west , he is a balm to the mind and the spirit - silly me , how can I drift off to sleep when I have to rewind everything he says to really hear it. Still - though it hasn’t made me sleepy - I am uplifted. We are truly blessed to have such a fascinating mind in our lifetime.

[@elimontoya8626]

Blessed indeed. Fantastic post.

[@zarralambert8187]

Keep speaking Mr West!!

[@doelinelewis491]

Yes !!!! I was thinking the same he helps me not to forget my history and to never forget where I came from and I'm here for a purpose everyday God awaking me and put me to sleep and to treat everyone with kindness God's Plan 😇🙏💖

[@pamelajoy6037]

Agreed!

[@31tmdavies]

He is a prophetic likable preacher. I like him, but there is nothing intellectual about him. He bounces from topic to topic with no insight to the previous comment. It's word salad that never coherently explains anything. I am truly amazed how people look at him as an intellectual or a scholar.

[@whenshellaltema5979]

“I am who I am because somebody loved me.. somebody cared for me”. God i love that quote one of the greatest and powerful quotes I’ve ever heard.

[@brattenj57]

Oh yes, those words touched me very deeply too. I know this may sound silly, but is Jesus, the Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna, Lao Tzu and other incarnations of pure, clear, joyful truth back among us?

[@chiz420420]

Same

[@happygucci5094]

The breadth of this man's knowledge is astounding. The profundity of thought process told with such joy and ease is amazing.The connections her makes between superficially disparate entities from not just the Western cannon but 400+years of the culture of Africans in the New World. Kierkegaard to Coltrane, Sondheim to Stevie Wonder, Neitzsche to Nina Simone, James Baldwin to James Joyce. Brilliant mind, bigger heart. Incredible intellect. My favorite Chekovian Christian with a Blues sensibility peppered with just enough gangster proclivities in the world! Love to you Mr. West 🙏🏾💗 Great interview

[@harrymadray6362]

Wow! You hit the nail on the head regarding this beloved, Truthful-Speaking beloved brother!! I have the greatest respect and true brotherly love for this Marvelous human being in our midst!! God bless and protect him always!!

[@dondeez9]

Well said indeed!

[@michelebrown1206]

@@harrymadray6362 o

[@brattenj57]

I love what you said: "Brilliant mind, bigger heart." sn't it the truth? Cornell is the strongest human inspiration I have ever, ever known. I'm 66 years old, and Cornel is the first truly enlightened person going for the White House whom I have ever heard.

[@pseudo_ra]

The Good, The Beautiful, and The Truth wrapped up in a human. Guided by spirituality and rooted in deep philosophy. An intellectual, a creative, and more. This is a healthy human. So much of our brothers and sisters are sick, but the good will set you free, beauty will guide you and truth will keep you grounded.

[@dianeatkinson9113]

Dr West finished this talk with the best advice I have ever heard. It provoked me to tears and joy at the same time. I will listen to it again and again

[@paulamitchell1653]

This is by far the best of Dr. West and the interviewer… it was more personable and in depth… just an amazing interview 🎉😢😮… it touched me deeply

[@tyraw1005]

Dr. West is phenomenal.

[@782YKW]

I can't get enough of Professor Cornel West!

[@erichawkins5738]

I learn more from this man than I ever have from any one class in college.

[@sirfortesque8757]

Just love here folks! No accusatory tones without context and nuance. Dr West seamlessly melts philosophy , music, literature, Christianity , history and humor to give off unadulterated love. His mind is so fast and spiritual. Just a kind and loving soul who knows “ the least of these” is not a catch phrase. He speaks truth to power but without any hate or judgement like some other intellectuals out there , especially the “semi-new” Black Conservatives who use hate and fear of the “ other” not to help the world but to spread evil. Just a pleasure and I wanna give him a big hug. He gives me hope.

[@zarralambert8187]

You said .. what everyone may have wanted to say ... Thankyou...so much

[@williamoarlock8634]

'Least of these' is the most empty catch phrase of this 2,000 year old Marvel franchise.

[@khumisho]

I want to give him a hug too. 😊

[@zarralambert8187]

@@khumisho thankyou!

[@putthekabash]

Truly blessed to have Dr. West's prophetic voice!

[@jeffreyyounger5772]

One of the powerful teacher,of our time.

[@lixibao]

Havent seen it yet but glad his greatness has been re order into a master class. This brother is the truth!! Phenomenonal!

[@brenalopez]

❤ How lucky we are to have this prophet in our midst.

[@Rustles]

"A loving description of the truth that might have been harmful at the moment." - Dr. Cornel West

[@nadinegregoirejackson1196]

Dr. West is such a smart human being. I always enjoy hearing him speak. True intellectual.

[@31tmdavies]

A poet. Definitely not an intellectual

[@pamelajoy6037]

Thank-you Dr. West! 🙏💕 ♥️♥️♥️

[@alvinfrazier4152]

What a great teacher! Brother West is the best!

[@terryscott545]

My vocab increase everytime i hear this brother....

[@makavelioutlaw7037]

Salute 2 King West. U r loved by folks u will never kno of, like me. Thank you

[@happygucci5094]

You had me at Makevelli Outlaw- you know what time it is!🔥 much respect 💯

[@nicholaskostopulos8631]

what a presentation !!! how can you not learn ?? ... Thanks to the University and UCTV !!

[@kabolade3968]

The gospel of truth of professor West will endure for ever. A Troubadour of his time.

[@emerydeaki530]

What a great privilege to live at the same time to hear such a joyous voice of truth.

[@nuran7970]

God bless you Mr.West. ..

[@2001lextalionis]

"I believe I thought I told you so. You are second to none" Curtis Mayfield

[@harrymadray6362]

Thanks to God that we have in our midst one of the most penetrating, brilliant minds, who is not afraid to speak the Absolute Truth about America's Slavery and the deliberate lies and misinformation told to us for the past two hundred years and more! God bless and protect this Truth-Speaking beloved brother, Dr. Cornel West!!

[@erichawkins5738]

One of the greatest minds of our time!!!

[@claudiateve9559]

Thank you! Thank you!

[@Malcolm246]

Very intellectual and deep thinking.

[@lefttoitall2982]

Best interview on Cornell West I've seen!! Wonderful!!

[@Hayes_in_Environment]

Out of all the lectures I’ve watched over the years of Dr West, I’ve learned the most here, and felt more in tune with his philosophy of thought and mind. Laughed and provoked to think-kudos!!! Amazing, inspiring and uplifting.

[@Malcolm246]

At 10 years old. What an experience!!!

[@PierreRiopelClone]

When you say the truth you serve others, when you lie you serve yourself.

[@roberthodge7802]

Mercy Mercy me. This marvelous man inspires me. Because democracy matters.

[@knockshinnoch1950]

A truly great human being. Sparkling wit and devastating truth. Inspirational and uplifting. His energy and ability to make a spiritual connection when he speaks is electric.I feel like I've been to church!

[@tatid6743]

wow. just, profound wisdom.

[@khumisho]

An information overload.

[@Adamb87]

I love this man ,Dr.West would make a truly great US President , which would be a first in the states

[@MickyTubbs1985]

He would be treated JUST AS BADLY OR WORSE THAN PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA !!!!🤨AND THOROUGHLY HATED - DEFINITELY.

[@kijandi]

Totally! 👌🏿🙌🏿

[@ethanbergen3217]

This man has the truth in him

[@tombeamon6083]

EXCELLENT!!

[@doobaa]

Just amazing: so enlightening. Thank You.

[@devoradamaris]

🕊🕊🌎🕊sharing

[@Nashandme74]

I'm finally home and I'm finally going to be free. I hate what my enemy helped me become and I'm not going to make anyone else be responsible for myself. I'm not sure if my reality is the one that made me feel like this but I'm not going to be free if I stay the way I am.

[@herglowup.honestlyspeaking]

Standing Ovation!!

[@Lark-jh9gx]

Stay the course, Mr. West!

[@stevenocchionero5262]

awsome if you consider deeply and carfully this dialog

[@neilifill4819]

You gotta respect a guy who thinks so critically. Go Dr. West!!

[@cheri238]

I don't ever miss, Professor West. He inspires us to study. Why Chekhov? LoL Thank you!

[@jeanetteambersley9237]

This man is a genius

[@HDliketheTV]

Most of us will never know the ways philosophy shapes our every day lives...

[@IOU2I]

Outstanding!!!

[@kaylaroman9675]

Thanks for showing up yesterday.....bye

[@zarralambert8187]

Cornel West .. always has something interesting to say and an interesting way to say something !.. he's such a sweetie ! too... Agree? Me meek and under educated enjoys his company ... thankyou Mr West!....

[@duomusicoffical]

Met Dr. West at UC Santa Cruz back in 09

[@flyingtoaster1427]

please ! Dr. West , come to Elizabethtown,PA! and tell everyone about global warming.

[@noblelee4765]

Totall Regard Of Intelligence And Scholarship... Thank You

[@brucemarmy8500]

I draw near to hear. Fear of the Lord is the first wisdom, and the love of Jesus is the first mercy. The good doctor is the harbinger of wisdom and mercy. The nourishment I receive is as if I am swaddled again and given mother's milk. Cornel West satisfies like no other. He unifies my mind, my soul, and my spirit. A psychic sauna, from which I emerge revitalized. Blessings of the most high.

[@misslady0075]

In this world, there is beauty, but we have to wash ourselves before we Truly find it. Mr West 🙏❤️🌍

[@Highnoonshred]

52:05 kindergarteners want to know how much you love them for sure! That is how you biuld trust with the little people! And I love teaching them!!!

[@wandajones8598]

I love my brother!

[@thedivinenames3325]

What a blessing!!

[@kirsyrosa2595]

Good Morning Cubs

[@roserouge3791]

Good Morning Dad...Thanks Nepal Bro

[@shirleyjbaker1096]

"Inspiring Conversation"💯👄 "Lift Every Voice"

[@yortnottoc]

Never loved something this much.

[@dewilliams4597]

Its great to see two men sit together and enjoy each other's company. Nothing like friends!

[@audreylane8747]

It’s not a thuggish side- it’s a logical survival reaction!!!

[@thunderboltpatterson743]

Understanding the truth Jesus is Love love is action

[@atiyahicks3354]

Loved this....💖

[@bygodsdesign8564]

I stood, but didn't ever say it ( the pledge of Alliegence) in Kindergarten. My Gr-Ma had taught only alliegence to God or it was instinctive when teacher spoke that flag part...reciting it to teach me. I moved my mouth thru-out High Sch...and on military base with EX. " My 🐑 sheep know my voice." I think for his sheep 🐑 it can be from childhood. It's our journey on the Narrow Path. ❣️

[@sherratto3087]

Wonderful!!!

[@rohsop]

Love this man

[@laurieberry162]

I like Cornel West’s mannerisms. Very professional. Very friendly and intelligent. Very talented. I just started writing books. I learned that one doesn’t have to have a PhD to be an author. I wrote fiction books. My genre is romance. I am not into nonfiction, but my next book involves the Salem, Massachusetts witchcraft trials. My ancestors are from that place. They were possibly involved and someone in my family could have died there.

[@marcy2k1]

That introduction gave me chills... what an incredible host

[@truunike24]

Enemies hate retaliation. Enemies want that which they sent others, love.

[@rachaeldelvaille3886]

LOVE!!!😍😍😍🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾😍

[@FreshTake01]

I can’t fathom how I saw this now better late than never I suppose.

[@1Live2Love3Thrive]

Why hasn't Jordan Peterson and Cornel West had a discussion yet?

[@0662able]

I would loive to hear what Dr. West has to say about Nelson Mandela and the struggle against apartheid. Was the Truth and Reconciliation Committee part of a Christian tradition of reconciliation?

[@worship568]

it most certainly was

[@jamesnoonan9753]

I know Cornell West see’s Martin Luther King as a leader who sort of shaped the vision for a society in which colour was not a barrier between whites and blacks. There is still many who reject this and many whites see blacks as dirty or u worthy and lower morally than themselves and many blacks hold negative views of whites regardless of the true character of the light skinned individual. But one part people forget about MLK’s message, which may be more relevant today than ever, is how homosexuality is plaguing black society. I wonder if Cornell West see’s this part of Dr. King’s message as having a place in modern conversations about what may me holding back the black parts of society as well as others. I think history tells us that societies that go down this sort of path don’t fare well, and it was very prevalent in Rome before the fall, and I think people have also started to be entertained by other’s misfortune the way the Romans would cheer at the colosseum as people were dismembered and met untimely death. I think this aspect of Rome has shaped the culture a great deal in modern society. People may cheer for those who survive against all odds, but they know their time is coming and it doesn’t bother them. This could be taken as a metaphor for the society as a whole which is on a path for inevitable failure, but people seem to want to sit around and watch it fall, rather than do something about it. A Pope who is marrying gays and calling it a holy union is being celebrated and treated as a guest everywhere. Ironically he is a Pope of the Catholic Church in Rome. It seems no one cares, they just want to see the fall right?

[@RichInk]

That, my friends, is a beautiful man.

[@JaniceBallardDean-xy6ou]

Faith Hope and Love

[@jasonzacharias2150]

This guy speaks scary truth on an internal and external level... Two bad he'll never be able to lead us on a theater level but on a spiritual level this guy sounds like a shepherd who used to be a wolf.. God speed out there everyone, stay aware and watch out for these damned ghouls and ghosts looking for substitutions, they will be brought into the fold like the rest of us, Lord have mercy!

[@tinman3586]

This man was a US Army officer, Iraq War veteran, and former Republican congressman from Florida. Hard to believe but it's true.

[@user-dz7lu3ri7b]

l respected Cornel because of the fact that he recognized, and a knowledge the people who helped him along the way, he said without those he could not be what he is . He could easily have said because he graduated from prestigious universities, l am what l am because I am smart, because l am hard worker, because I am disciplined,,etc , but he always acknowledged without those people who helped him along the way, he could have been one of those gangsters and tugs in his neighborhood, he admitted he also had some gangster and tugs urges deep down in his soul. What honest, humble, none judgmental human being. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@skyblue-lb9kr]

That's not an insult.....it's just a truth that may hurt at the time.............Cornel West

[@sudansoudah8070]

Hopefully, somebody would introduce Dr West to the book, "Paekche's Principle: The Great Secret of Asia". It'll be great to hear what his review of the book is :)

[@underconstruction778]

Imagine how conflicted a group of people will become when they are forced to fight fascism by people who oppress them with racism. A loss - loss situation either way you put it

[@moveforward4932]

A genius among us. But would he consider becoming our President?

[@dcosta912]

The laugh at 32:37 is absolutely exalted

[@richardb1949]

❤️❤️❤️😎

[@carlacharrier5606]

Thank god for you smarty no one can toutch you they tried but god has set your pace😅

[@shirleyjbaker1096]

RALEIGH NC 919💜

[@user-tw7nh7jj5l]

Some of what he's saying reminds me of some of Stevie Wonder's lyrics to his songs. Like the song "Love's in Need of Love Today ".

[@Silvertestrun]

Ty

[@TheMusicalEmpress]

The beginning of a thing is of essence and the way you introduce a person speaks volumes. The host could have done MUCH better, starting with the title that he earned of "Dr." How do you just introduce him twice and leave that off? I don't perceive it as an oversight because he seems to have done his homework well and to know everything else about him. Anyhow, Dr. West shines through gracefully, intellectually, seamlessly and with such wit, class, love, respect and humor as only he can do and all things considered and the banter between the two made this most enjoyable! 💛💛💛💛

[@cornpopsrazor5375]

Maybe because having a title in front of your name tells people nothing. Josef Mengele was also a Dr. It is about what you accomplish. Academics and philosophers have their place in society but those that do are higher up the ladder.

[@TheMusicalEmpress]

@@cornpopsrazor5375 I am very aware that he has a Doctorate as well, but he was not being introduced. He could have said "Brother West" as he often refers to himself for all that I care and said more to illustrate Dr. West outside of his books in my opinion. People work hard for their Doctorates, unless honorary, it is earned. Of course titles do not define you, but respect is respect. I said what I said.

[@cornpopsrazor5375]

@@TheMusicalEmpress As an American myself, I think the time is coming when people might actually get tired of honoring themselves and others. Empires historically have a shelf life, and I think I can read an expiration date on ours. Everyone wants to be an entertainer....influencer....famous. Nobody wants to do man work anymore. Which is very odd considering skilled trades pay a ton. Sadly countries like ours need a culling occasionally as life is too easy for a couple of generations in a row and they rot from the inside out. There is a time for sitting around and thinking great thoughts.....but really it produces nothing more than that. Real change comes from struggle and conflict......not constant coddling and validation. As I have spoken......so shall it be.

[@TheMusicalEmpress]

@@cornpopsrazor5375 I have no interest in the minutia. I said WHAT I said. So shall it be.

[@brattenj57]

Brother West is like Jimmy Carter in a way: too damned good a person to be involved in American politics. But I clearly sense that Mr. West can and will overcome the evil in American politics. I will support him. I hope he has competent body guards, because the pure evil that is MAGA is going to hate this good man, and they will be gunning for him just as they went gunning for Jesus. And MLK Jr. And JFK. And Bobby Kennedy Sr. And Ghandi. And all the saints, man.

[@TysonUppercuts]

Anybody know if dr west has his own podcast?

[@geemartin5677]

Respectfully, who is Thomas Sowell ?