West comes South

Fresh from campaigning for Obama, Cornel West, one of America's most renowned intellectual figures, will dissect racial mattes next week on campus.

West, the famed author, philosopher, pastor and professor, is known for his outspoken views on the collision of race, politics, morality and society.

The always provocative and sometimes controversial West will speak on Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m., in the Michael D. Rose Theatre. After the event, which is free and open to the public, West will sign copies of his latest book, Hope on a Tightrope.

"Cornel West has been a champion for racial justice since childhood," his Web site reads. "His writing, speaking and teaching weave together the traditions of the black Baptist Church, progressive politics and jazz. The New York Times has praised his 'ferocious moral vision.'"

A professor at Princeton University, West will conduct the discussion against the backdrop of the recent election of America's first black President-elect, a discussion U of M professor Bill Lawson said would not have been possible before.

"This is a very significant moment," said Lawson, a distinguished professor who specializes in African-American social-political philosophy. "The University of Memphis is very fortunate to have this very prominent social critic and world renowned scholar come here to this university to share his view about this moment in history."

West will receive $30,000 for the speaking engagement from the Student Events Allocation, a branch of the Student Activities Council. The speaking fee, said Teanca Shepherd, assistant coordinator of student activities, is fairly standard for someone of West's "magnitude."

West will comment on racial attitudes following the election, said Carlissia Graham, one of the organizers of the event. Some students, she said, were shocked when they read the racist remarks of some students on Facebook after the election.

"Just because all those statuses have gone back to normal doesn't mean those negative feelings aren't still harbored," she said. "I don't think the discussion will solve anything. It won't be 'Kumbaya, we're all equal,' but I do think it's a good start. Conversation usually leads to something more."

Janna Lipford, a junior majoring in dietetics, said she had also heard rumors from friends about some people's racist Facebook posts, but had not read them herself.

"I didn't really see too many Facebook statuses against Obama's presidency," she said. "But I don't really have too many Republican friends, so that could be the reason. I did hear that some people saw a bunch of racist things on Facebook, though."

Another of the event's organizers, Tristan Wilkerson, said he wanted to have a "progressive discussion" to relieve these "mixed emotions."

"The topic is on racial matters," he said. "We've noticed some tension between ethnic communities on campus. We want to relieve our campus of any racial tension. It'll be a progressive discussion on racial matters."

The recent election demonstrates an improvement in Americans' thinking, Lawson said. But, he added, how much of an improvement remains unknown.

"It's going to open up opportunities for Americans in very important ways," he said. "But race still matters."

One reason Obama won, Lawson said, was because Obama reached across the racial divide. A racial divide West has been trying to bridge since his first book, Race Matters, became a bestseller in 1993.

"Old people, young people, black and white, they come from the entire spectrum of the population," Lawson said. "West has got to be saying something that resonated with people. People want to hear him and hear what he has to say. He's provocative. He's thoughtful. His work is really working toward addressing past racial injustices and moving us to a future of racial harmony."