Cornel West | Occupy Wall Street Debate | Oxford Union

[@practicemedia2025]

Best line... 7:07 A war criminal with a Nobel peace prize. The elites in the audience hated that truth...

[@ViceroyoftheDiptera]

They're not elites in the audience really, relatively speaking anyway.

[@FireinTheBowl]

He draws from everything and everyone in creating a philosophical outlook that has no definite form, takes no position on anything, and can’t seem to make a clear and precise statement as to what he actually stands for.

[@StevenYang506]

I can't believe only thirty three thousand people have seen this in over a year.

[@kingmatt2563DABEST]

He is crazy.

[@gusalthorp6138]

+kingmatt2563 He's smart

[@gusnorthamptonshire2651]

Shameful

[@johnsmith1474]

But, it doubled in only six more!

[@gusnorthamptonshire2651]

@@johnsmith1474 👏🏽

[@Whyoakdbi]

He is an astonishing speaker! And a radical truth teller!

[@TuskTheRipper96]

Kaloyan Stoyanov Yesssss 🙌🏽

[@achemedqureshi458]

Kaloyan Stoyanov. Actually it's people like him that are race-baiters in America. He's a professor and his one job is to talk about race therefore he has to keep saying racist problem and get black people who are very emotional people anyway all riled up about it. We should end such courses and throw people like him out of a job

[@DanielJimenez-jj2kr]

@@achemedqureshi458You have to appreciate what he is doing and what he is saying. Parrhesia is to speak truth to power. This is an example of what parrhesia looks like. West is using his right to speech to raise issues about race, class, gender, and power. If you listen to what he is saying you would understand his words.

[@gusnorthamptonshire2651]

One of the leading intellectuals in the world

[@wcclarence2147]

@@achemedqureshi458 Research him before you speak. That's the problem today. Intellectual laziness.

[@brianmurphy5036]

His unimpeachable credibility comes from an undeniable core of love for humanity.

[@definitiveentertainment1658]

Whenever Dr West speaks I feel like I’m in a Black Congregation. I just wanna yell “Amen Brotha West!!” After every single sentence 😂

[@09BiGDylan]

"Preeeach!"

[@erickstanford519]

Lmao

[@FireinTheBowl]

He is fun, but he debates with confusing nonsensical anecdotal statements. He never explains anything with facts or data.

[@frankvonfrauner]

Because Communism is a religion above all else.

[@ezekielthemack]

This is why Dr. Cornel West is the greatest intellectual in the world today without question. Excellent speech and indictment of the plutocratic governments of the UK and the U.S.

[@nadeemhussain7381]

Seeing the young people clapping with such enthusiasm tells me there's still hope in the future. They will one day pick up the mantle and help create a more just society. Awesome speech, I must have listened to it over 10 times.

[@nateyreb7677]

This guy is awesome

[@gusalthorp6138]

Yes

[@Whiskel]

Exactly, the solution is a deep cleansing of the corruption, greed and excess that has caused the current situation. Holding the perpetrators truly accountable is essential. The establishment has too much to lose by letting this happen, but we have nothing to lose by losing the established establishment.

[@neptunesdreams]

Yes, a deep cleansing and an Unconditional Basic Income. Check out my post above for more info.

[@blondegirl214]

i love what he says, and I love how he says it. I could listen to this man talk all day long!

[@guidocasero1178]

It's amazing how everything Mr. West talks about is clear as crystal. His words make sense in today's world, amazing what a pandemic crisis can do to a simpleton like myself. Thnk Cornel West for speaking truth to power

[@syourke3]

Cornell West is brilliant and speaks the truth! He is most inspiring speaker I have ever heard, on a par with Dr. King - his voice goes right through you!

[@manweller1]

Agree with him or not you have to admire his speaking style.

[@DMC-ss4cm]

he's a deluded hysterical street preacher, no

[@isaacburden1331]

Will Mcloughlin I think he’s more like a tenured professor at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.... and has more research to back him than any of the propaganda you’ve been led to believe. The truth hurts, that’s why when he speaks people have a knee jerk reaction to him.

[@Ibrahim-rp3fj]

Will Mcloughlin you wish that’s you’re 1 percent of what he is. Stick to your warehouse job and leave intellectuals in their space.

[@steelhammer3922]

What's in your wallet?

[@niceguy809]

@@DMC-ss4cm His a Harvard & Princeton professor. What’s your accomplishments loser?

[@garfieldharrison510]

He is vivacious and integral for the young people. He is not dangerous but,mendacious for oligarchs. Simply because he tells the intellect truth about their shenanigans amid the human species. I Love Cornel. He does it with love. Perfect for our time.

[@FireinTheBowl]

He doesn't say anything. He just passionately evokes things. This is nothing but a banal word salad. He draws from everything and everyone in creating a philosophical outlook that has no definite form, takes no position on anything, and can’t seem to make a clear and precise statement as to what he actually stands for. overpowering wave of vague generalities and moralistic slogans in which nothing is worked through in a systematic way.

[@dinaheena9426]

Cornel West is a real American progressive. A true hero.

[@samfriedberg4060]

I don't agree with him on everything but he is absolutely brilliant, and it is refreshing to hear him speak.

[@jameslove4432]

Look at the change in audience's body posture between the beginning and 7 minutes in. People leaning, craning forward, to absorb as much as possible, the man to his right leaning back to take it all in, like he's at an Al Green show. This man is in the real-life Justice league, along with Hitchens .

[@sheemakarp6424]

A beautiful man. A privilege to witness his testament of our times 🙏

[@jaysee313]

So powerful, I fuckin love this man.

[@divinemason3410]

Completely agree. Dr. West is an expert at discussing problematic issues but completely lost when it comes to speaking on realistic solutions. He has a way of being extremely entertaining and sounding like the most intelligent man in the room without ever really saying anything of substance. It's old school pimp talk with an academic twist.

[@FireinTheBowl]

Exactly. Incoherent intelegible ramblings. He never makes an actual point. He just says a bunch of bumper sticker slogans with poetic reverence. It amazes me people find him to be an intellectual

[@harshshivpuri]

cornel west ! the best I have ever heard :) today on words u r my mst favt.

[@ezekielthemack]

He's an EXCELLENT speaker and everything he said was the truth, so I'm curious to know what it is that you don't agree with.

[@FireinTheBowl]

Cornell West carrier and how people find his mindless incoherent ramblings to somehow be intelegible, let alone intelligent. He speaks with a poetic reverence but never makes an actual point or stays on topic for more than a few seconds.

[@moonie9000]

Vote for this man! Put a good man on the throne FOR ONCE!

[@thelmarodriguez6562]

Dr. Cornel West, the GALAXY's AMBASSADOR -CHANNELING THE ANGELS' VOICES in English, but torpedos all hearts with his heaven sent love and truth, the people's prophet, indeed!

[@thabisogoba4487]

I love this man. All the way from South Africa. I had hope that one day I'd be in his class or lecture but with Coronavirus that's never going to happen.

[@McRyach]

Cornel West is the best public speaker I know! Amazing Performance!

[@miaash3870]

What a fantastic orator!

[@jimtrueblue99]

A war criminal with a Nobel Peace Prize. That's powerful stuff. We Americans need to hear it lots more often.

[@Kingdomstatuz]

HA! I love this! Dr. Cornel West @ his best again! "All Hail Cornel West!"

[@jc1838]

He is a renowned debater; he clearly explained the purpose of the movement so I don't get your point. At least, he's not reading from a script like some people. He's certainly not a disgrace.

[@timothyplumley]

Where is his speech like that in america to americans but still such great ability to say exactly what he means to say. Teaching.Reality.Under.The.Heavens.TRUTH

[@888Gypsy888]

Incredible speaker. The truth will set you free!

[@FireinTheBowl]

I like Cornell west. He is a charming likeable man, but there's nothing intellectual about him. He speaks like a preacher with metaphors and non sequitur. He is all over the place. I don't get it

[@SV67943]

Sorry for spamming posts, but it's awesome that he got a standing ovation. Say what you want about Cornel West, he certainly can enrapture a room full of people.

[@richardlynch1094]

Beautiful. Just fucking beautiful. WE ARE THE 99 PERCENT!

[@vidaficianado]

You are absolutely right. Just look at some of them in the video, especially the ones behind West. They couldn't digest his food completely.

[@neptunesdreams]

The Occupy movement should focus on demanding an Unconditional Basic Income funded by a Financial Transaction Tax (a tiny percentage taken off every stock market transaction). A UBI is much simpler and more efficient than manipulating banks and corporations to try to create jobs (an economic ideology that has proven itself futile) An Unconditional Basic Income is an adequate amount of basic income that gets automatically deposited into everyone's bank account every month (roughly the equivalent of a US $10 per hour job). The same amount to everyone, rich or poor, working or not. And with NO MEANS TESTING, so NO new government bureaucracies. The simplicity of the idea is it's beauty. It's an idea that has been supported by both left and right leaning politicians as a way to eliminate poverty and avert violent revolution. Switzerland is holding a referendum on this. If it passes, every Swiss citizen will receive an Unconditional Basic Income, rich or poor, working or not. Wherever a UBI has been tried, people worked more, not less, and started small businesses. That's because the money was adequate enough that they didn't need to go into debt to the banks to ask for a startup loan. Wherever an ADEQUATE UBI was tried, crime decreased and health care costs went down and the overall economy improved. The reason an Unconditional Basic Income is different than a minimum wage is because employers do not pay for a UBI. It would be funded by a Financial Transaction Tax which is a tiny percentage taken off every stock market transaction. That way employers won't raise prices and decrease jobs. In fact, a UBI would create MORE jobs because there would be more people buying products. Business would increase! Instant stimulation WITHOUT government intervention! Because there is NO MEANS TESTING, no extra bureaucracy would be needed. It could be run by one computer that deposits money into EVERYONE'S bank account automatically. We have many unpaid workers in our society. Volunteers, artists, musicians, homemakers, grandmothers, etc. It's now time that they were valued monetarily by society. It's time for REAL change - an Unconditional Basic Income! But politicians won't do anything this radically positive without a grassroots uprising from the people DEMANDING a UBI. So tell your friends and help make the UBI go viral!

[@se7ensnakes]

i disagree

[@makeamarx6572]

The standing ovation says it all. We need to move away for a society in which wealth is the sole motivation for achievement and the sole criteria in determining human value.

[@H1TMANactual]

"By the 50s West Germany had surrounded itself with protective tariffs" Wrong. Ludwig Erhard did exactly the opposite, unleashing the free market resulting in the "German economic miracle." "after constant protectionism made England the only industrial state" By that argument North Korea and Cuba should be the most industrious countries since they are the most protectionist. Where do you people even come up with this stupidity?

[@CabriniGreene]

I love Cornel West. An amazing man.

[@milidas9381]

No one should be suffering

[@CptUSMC]

Libertarian Socialism is an oxymoron.

[@stevenbenson5241]

Libertarian socialism, also referred to as anarcho-socialism, anarchist socialism, free socialism, stateless socialism, socialist anarchism and socialist libertarianism, is a set of anti-authoritarian, anti-statist and libertarian political philosophies within the socialist movement which rejects the conception of socialism as a form where the state retains centralized control of the economy.

[@Kombaiyashii]

Curious to know what the outcome of the debate was?

[@crunchynutkiller]

The people who bought them, the houseowners, the real estate agents, the regulators, the government, the depositors, economists the list goes on. And it was retail banks who made the dodgy loans, not the investment banks. If you are going to blame investment banks, retail banks are no less a culprit.

[@Bellantoni]

Mass production was developed in the Springfield and Harper Ferry armories. Containerization was developed by the Navy and remained subsidized by defense spending long into its commercialization. Automation and Machine tools were developed by military engineers. N/C developed with public financing at MIT and air force labs. And the history of the 1st world is the history of protectionism and socialism: from the American system to Bismarck, from MITI to General Park. There's some facts for ya.

[@1Hydraulic1]

The people in the chamber will probably never act upon what Cornel West is implicating because they are the very people he is criticizing or in some way related to them.

[@jc1838]

There is such a thing as a propositional statement. I studied propositional logic as part of my Computer Science degree. It was not an academic debate on the subtlety of what certain concepts mean. For this debate the 'layman's' definition sufficed.

[@joequirk]

When I was in my twenties, I thought this man was the most articulate person in the world. Now I'm in my forties, and I find this firebrand performance self-serving and emotionally manipulative. I understand why Daniel Hannan won the debate. This is what growing up is. Moral outrage without understanding is driving humanity over the edge into the teeth of their predators.

[@paolomaldini3082]

Just say you’ve become more conservative and selfish as you’ve got older

[@langwiz7]

Salvation through loving one another is available to all. I read Galatians 2:11-21 (not only 16) which reinforces that Christians should not avoid wrongdoers or fail to love them. Then I read Ephesians 2:1-10 (not only 8-9) which again reiterates this point. Philippians 3:1-14 (9 isn't even a complete sentence), Paul encourages us to continue to strive for grace You've set a load of questions I've already answered with Matthew 25:31-46. You seem to be obfuscating, but I will answer again.

[@Khachig88]

actually no, calling someone 'simple-minded' isn't an ad hominem attack, unless the person hurling the insult is explicitly stating or implicitly suggesting that this is the reason your statement, argument, conclusion, etc. is false or invalid.

[@Peteruspl]

I for one liked his presentation a lot, but reject his content. It's well and good that he's so emotional and does not compromise his style. OWS was not exercising with instruments. Over a year of national gatherings is enough to at least get a general main tune going! And they made some concrete accusations and concrete solutions and merits of these are subject to judgment... and they are found wanting. Whatever emotion started it up - it is not enough.

[@tuber2635]

i love listening to cornel west because he gives to you straight.. dont miss the message by being pre occupied with the messenger

[@TooMuchBaking]

I like how you do such a large amount of research on the underlying reasons behind these regular crashes in the economy, and how you present this research in a logical argument.

[@pematopgyal5194]

A Gem 💎 I just discovered

[@TooMuchBaking]

Yeah, and after he was done with Chile it had the most consistently growing economy in all of South America, and he eventually handed the government over to democracy. 100 million died in India under a centralized government that subsidized inefficient methods of labor, taxing the economy heavily and preventing more efficient methods from developing (e.g their textile industry). Compared to Hong Kong for example, which developed far more radically during that time period with 0 subsidization.

[@mauritiusdunfagel9473]

Dr. West is more effective sitting down.

[@jc1838]

He starts the debate by describing his credibility i.e. his influences and what he has done for social justice. He goes on to describe the various topics that OWS were discussing including gay rights and unfair black incarceration. He admits that OWS is not organized but he believes supporting the motion is supporting the birth of a movement that will create a peaceful social revolution; something that 'corporate governments' can not achieve. To do nothing is to except the status quo.

[@solidaritytime3650]

These beautiful Brits struggling so hard to allow the joy and exuberance of resistance to flow through them without repression- the young people are alright.

[@wangcheung988]

this type of charismatic speaker is something you will never hear in britain. Britsh people are too stuck up when they speak. it doesnt sound real at all. here we have absolute heart and fire

[@Bellantoni]

By the 50s West Germany had surrounded itself with protective tariffs, created an all-around social insurance system, and established a government cartel for coal and steel. The corn bill was in 1844- 150 years after constant protectionism made England the only industrial state. Japan's economy was government planned up until the 1980s by the MITI. And the welfare state began in the 19th early 20th centuries by Bismarck in Germany and Lloyd George etc. and now everyone lives longer and happier.

[@jc1838]

A propositional statement is one of: A simple proposition denoted by a capital letter, e.g. ‘A’. A negation of a propositional statement e.g. A : “not A” (You can google it) An academic definition is one used by experts that understand the broader literature and the complexity of a term in his field of study. Terms used by the man in the street are obviously different. However, social justice implies a fairer society to most people so it did not need to be defined for this type of debate.

[@wynn52tube]

Not once did he offer a solution, a good history lesson and name dropping. I am in agreement with you.

[@Propagandhi900]

The vast majority of people are missing out on it, and will always miss out on it so long as capitalism exists.

[@Rpagsis1]

Cornell West is brilliant!

[@centreoflight]

This Men is telling us to put emotions into our Lifes. Express what is Inside. There is a Vulcano in Each of Us

[@PabloEscobar-is2yo]

he's such a great speaker

[@Globeversal]

What you see in America (and even 3rd world countries) today, a system based on corpratism and coercion, is not true free market capitalism. We blame corporations for the enormous wealth gap (rightfully so), but the government is the one propping them up through coercion. An educated public is what is truly important. In a truly free system, unions will ward off those inhumane conditions you speak of, and the american dream will shine true because education will level the playing field.

[@toseeornot2see]

Actually, Occupy does have some stated goals and solutions. As for your argument that a "campaign in central park isn't going to fix a damn thing" - tell that to the people who successfully protested in anti-apartheid movements, along with other protest movements around the world that have been so successful.

[@southwest3369]

What a great speech 🎤

[@ziruini5071]

whenever I listen to Cornel West I always get a big stupid grin on my face

[@donaldthomas9389]

Look in the audience and see your kindred souls.

[@jermaineedwards5077]

Don't concentrate on the style that he delivers his message but what the message is what he is saying is more important then just a performance.

[@dreamEternal]

I disagree with the war criminal part - in every war you have a kill list it is the nature of war - but that's 1% of my feelings on seeing this man speak, the remaining 99% is pure awe, pride and agreement. If you're on the other side of the argument when this man speaks - you need to pause and give serious reflection to what you believe and make damn sure you've thought it through regardless of the number of people on your side.

[@katherinedavis4607]

A now prophetic,prolific voice well required at this very moment in time and space.......in the world!!

[@langwiz7]

You're cherry picking Galatians and taking Hebrews out of context. Both are letters written by Paul to Christian churches. Galatians explains how Mr. West can love Obama and still vehemently disagree with him. I don't understand at all how you can find bigotry in either of these passages in which Paul reinforces Jesus' commandment to love others as they deserve to be loved. It seems you seek darkness instead of light. As an aside, Jews don't read Paul's letters.

[@jc1838]

No the hedge funds and investment banks who invented the products are to blame.

[@MrZemme]

I love the way this man speaks.

[@langwiz7]

Christ calls us to love everyone and help those who are not in a position to love to get there. That's the goal explained in Matthew 25:31-46. Every one needs saving: the sick, the homeless, the incarcerated, the rich, the widows. How do we do that? Meet their needs. "Nations" are just groups of people. Even if the government steps in, the people will still need saving. As Paul's many letters also state, some Christians still need saving. Since anyone can save, everyone can be saved.

[@Miguel_El_Chileno]

Telling the Truth in front of the British Upper Class

[@TooMuchBaking]

I guess one thing we're going to have to agree to disagree on is I prefer to judge economic policies by their results when put into practice, and you like to judge them on their ideals. The idea of implementing a policy on a world level when it can't be applied successfully to a developing country sounds absolutely ridiculous to me, since if it doesn't work to provide growth than there is no way it can lift the world out of poverty.

[@Rebecca-fo4nn]

The very concept of a developing country and of poverty hides that imperialism was about sapping wealth out of these places. You ignore the spiritual wealth of societies that have existed for thousands of years

[@crunchynutkiller]

True to an extent, but since the airports were unnationalised they have worked alot better. Other things like railways (speaking from the UK) are considerably worse in the private sector.

[@H1TMANactual]

Cornel West is very much anti-capitalist in the sense that he is against everything capitalism is based on. You have no idea what you're talking about. Smith being anti-free market is the biggest stupidity I have ever heard.

[@avellopublishing5851]

Malcolm X once spoke at the Oxford Union. The Avello Publishing Journal Editorial Ambassador is Dennis Howard Marks (Balliol College, University of Oxford.

[@GWOSAPAT]

My tought exactly, Brother West

[@Propagandhi900]

USSR wasn't socialist, so your argument falls apart there. Socialism has never existed. Though, if you paid attention to facts, the state capitalist policies of the USSR brought it to the industrial level of Germany by the 30s. Huge growth.

[@edwinpena7002]

It is very provocative talk that open a window to understand the ideology of white supremacy in Western Culture.

[@crunchynutkiller]

They at least understand present value. The crisis was caused by a storm of unrealistic expectations on housing by bankers, pensioners, homeowners, real estate agents, businessmen and everyone else. If half the population had shorted these CDOs, the crash would have happened much sooner, but that didn't happen, because the general populace went along with the whole thing. Everyone is to blame.

[@arshadfilms]

Cornel West is just brilliant!

[@arshadfilms]

No. To an enlightened man.

[@Bellantoni]

William Morris!!! Well done Dr. West! Apart from JRR Tolkien- who drew his inspiration of fantasy fiction from Morris's work- I've never heard that underrated man referred to as "a hero", which he most certainly was.

[@mumpygumboo8554]

Toastmasters ain't got nuthin' on Brotha West!

[@nevername667]

I wish Occupy would adopt Cornel West as a figure head. It would give it some coherence.

[@pacifickorofarms9501]

He is so awesome the Camera raised its hand haha

[@chad9017]

So true, we as a people are still just trying to get our instruments together. But damnit hurry up.

[@Billy8ob]

He just cant drop the preacher in him

[@panteralifestyle728]

Dr. Cornel West speaks Truth to Power like no one else. He gave this speech directly to the Billionaire Class. They started the speech laughing, by the end Dr. West had them thinking.

[@ytazmaniandevil90]

the students at Oxford showing they've got most zeal for the easy issue of Palenstine rather than poverty in their own country

[@charlespirate1]

Yeah. You definitely can’t care about both. It’s only possible to have one view at a time.

[@TheAndrassy1985]

That girl sitting behind Hannan is gorgeus

[@ama2065]

what an inspiration for everyone...

[@radroatch]

Are you confusing the history of a communist dictatorship with the entire philosophical/economical work of marxism. Millions have died, & are dying, due to capitalism & capitalism has/ created countless brutal dictatorships also. Im no marxist but I think if u do your research u might find it an enlightening perspective on capitalism. Modern Russia's low GDP is from the process of it becoming capitalist & the political aspects around it, nothing to do with marxism.

[@stephenhardy312]

Well said, Dr West, a brilliant speech!

[@FireinTheBowl]

He draws from everything and everyone in creating a philosophical outlook that has no definite form, takes no position on anything, and can’t seem to make a clear and precise statement as to what he actually stands for. An overpowering wave of vague generalities and moralistic slogans in which nothing is worked through in a systematic way.