ABC News’ Linsey Davis speaks with Dr. Cornel West about why he chose to leave Harvard after a dispute over being denied tenure, and about how to increase diversity in academia.
@No Lives Matter I better understand. This whole Israel issue you raised is currently out of my scope so cannot respond wholesomely. I do not want to talk about such things ignorantly. The other cancel culture issue wrapped up with racism is a different beast that requires careful peeling apart of each layer to probe and see what engine is really driving the 'thing'.. As it is a big pot with every and all things thrown in related and unrelated. One example that comes to mind is 'Piers Morgan' who walked off set during a show, then later quit his job. They said he was cancelled and I thought but didn't he just walk away and quit.. So yeh, all very confusing.
@No Lives Matter *I believe it comes down to deflection tactics and the gd ol' divide&conquest tactic* My guy, you're converging way too many realities. I don't operate like that atm. To me in order for me to reach an unknown understanding without bias (one can never truly rid bias from the equation as its inate but can be consciously managed) I must analyse each variable, independently from the other, then compare and eliminate until I reach a better understanding, getting closer to the core. Anything else like you asking me.. "see how this works?" Or, "you can't make this up" is manupilative by attempting to coerce a conclusion from me (like a psychological mind trick I found I had to actively resist just now) interestn tool but.. That is bad practice to get to the core of the actual truth. As there can only be *ONE TRUTH* BLACK-LIVES-DO-MATTER because we've been in a domestic~abusive relationship with the West/world for close to five hundred years now. Though we'll be fine God had always got us hence why we were built like This. Love & Respect
“I am just as committed to Palestinian humanity, as I am Jewish humanity.” Simple right? Dr. West has always stood up against all hatred, yet still some hate him. Shameful.
@Joe Passenger The people there have ancestry that dates back centuries yes. They were never called Palestinians until very recently. The land they occupy was never called Palestine. It's fictitious.
Sadly, I also think to his point, their decision was politically driven. He is far too experienced and accredited for there to be any issue with him being tenured.
@@StephenKershaw1 I didn't need college to teach me that pretending God is real will get you a lot further than claiming he isn't. Iz also smarter than you any day of the week.
I am pretty sure "selling out" has something to do with PRETENDING and PERPETUATING the fallacy of "WHITENESS" when you know who.is really in power. You need to.listen more closely to the names he espouses as great scholars at Union where he is going. You need to listen.more closely to his double speak which has allowed him to gain a reputation for accomplishing something he has not - fighting for freedom.and equality. I like the way he speaks also but I have no examples of him accomplishing anything other than for himself.
I think a lot of people needs to understand the difference between *Jewish* *people* and *Government* *Of* *Israel* , so criticizing the government of Israel is not *ANTISEMITIC*
Before I could guess what you mean by "MAKE RACISTS AFRAID AGAIN", I would wonder what your definition of "racism" is. Does it include anyone who doesn't agree with you? In other words, if I'm not buying your bullshit, am I a racist?
Indeed he is a great humanitarian. It baffles me though, how someone as knowledgeable, dignified and distinguished as Dr.West, could still believe in an all knowing yet evidently ignorant, all powerful yet undeniably impotent, omnipresent yet seemingly invisible, sky deity.
@No Lives Matter How is the OP pointing that out being "racist"? What has that to do with where he lives? It is completely true to say that he is a strong advocate for the black community. The fact that he may be one of the world's strongest voices would not change that. Please, wake up. Your profile name gave your game away...
@@JK-gu3tl It is completely honourable when you are one of the few advocating for it, not just for black people but also for those not as fortunate. Honestly, this comment made no sense, as a critique of Mr. West...
Dr. West was, is and will continue to be one of the most intelligent and respected brother in the world... The fact that those idiots wanted to play games with him does not take away from his incredible intelligence and respect
@@chitownbear7733 You don't have an answer, you think your sharp retort makes you intelligent. In fact - whole groups of people, including this idiot who is NOT a dr. - he has 10 years worth of study in religion (which he doesn't even believe - because he's a marxist - not that it would make him any more qualified than your average priest to be called a dr.) and RACIAL studies - when HIM - and people just like you - ARE THE BIGGEST RACISTS ON EARTH - WHO ABSOLUTELY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HUMAN HISTORY OR PHILOSOPHY. Abscesses on the ass of the US for quite a long time.
@@chitownbear7733 Neither your paycheck or degrees make you intelligent. You are a part of a larger corruption which has not only produced countless victims - but in your ignorance you truly are the biggest victim of all. The incompleteness in your soul - the vanity of your mind and existence - you are the true victim most of all - along with "cornel west". There is more pity and disgust for your ilk more than anything else.
Really? Howard treated Dr. Frances Cress-Welsing the same way! Why? Because she was an outspoken critic of racism/white supremacy. If you don’t know who she is; she wrote the masterpiece “The Isis Papers”
As true as this is, it is also hugely important and a shame that a place full of affluent white children desperately in need of his wisdom cut him loose. As great as he would be at an HBCU he is equally as important educating future white leaders in business and politics.
@klain leo - Well, this is not Nigeria. There are people, regardless of generation, who are not smart. Society is already a mess because of "christianity/religion", pornography, "politics", etc.
He is also one of the professor who wrote his name on an objection letter to boycott Khalid muhammad from speaking at kean college , he just his black card now
I wonder why you would be interested in problems in forien countries to such a rage when there is so much going on in America. Division in America is tearing the country apart and fighting only for one people is the cause . Unity is the only way to save the country. I see why there is so much pain in the eyes of some people but demanding respect for something not earned is not how happiness grows.
Truly a testament to cornel. See how his first statement is congratulating her on her new book. how he refers to even his greatest ideological enemies as brothers and sisters. Even when this man joins a program as your opponent he treats you with love and humanity .
I admire and respect Dr. West to the fullest. He has shaken the dust from beneath his feet and already moved on. This is a stain on Harvard's identity for years to come.
@@deenad3562 I don't agree Deena. Harvard was successful in punishing, marginalizing and exiling the best PUBLIC intellectual in America today, the only Left scholar with a big voice in America. Neck and neck with Chomsky in helping the public understand the country and world we live in. Harvard has disappeared and diminishes West by making him leave for a smaller less prominent institution and its does that to his scholarship which is a tool for us . Name another voice like West's on American television, there are none .Harvard's motivation is donors preference for Israeli support and that academics support the establishment and don't ruffle feathers , it's good for the business of Harvard and a subtle attack on dissident thought which represents to me the only valuable insights around.
@@pops1507 Princeton, Harvard and Yale then have all at some point in time willingly hired a malignant fool, that's a tough proposition to prove, maybe you should adjust your veiws.
Chris Hedges speaks of his brilliance. He hangs with the best of are marginalized intellectuals. All marginalized for they recognize injustice and percecution of not just black lives but, of all lives. It is fitting he does not belong in Harvard for it's Law School helped create our Lawless Kangaroo Supreme Court System.
@@DaxSports1 Guys, have you seen his hair? Kidding of course and I don’t want to get into it as I can’t articulate a critique as well as you can find with a simple google search of West’s faux pas.
Cornel has such an enlightened understanding of the Israeli/Palestinian dynamics. Too many people make judgements without understanding the subtleties.
You can't be a reasonable thinking person and not be pro Palestinian. To deny Israeli oppression and war crimes is to cover yourself under a blanket of lies.
@BidenCheatedAndBrokeHisAnkle 123 Palestinians are living under apartheid and occupation. UN report confirmed that as did S. African scholars and like Desmond Tutu and Ronnie Kasrils, and human rights orgs like B'Tselem. Decent people are pro Palestinian because decent people are against apartheid and occupation.
@BidenCheatedAndBrokeHisAnkle 123 The Welfare Apartheid State is the world worst offender litreally #1 in breaking the international law , the only country where ur religion determine what street you can drive on , and they are finding ways to be more racist like only jews can buy land, not to mention they are the worlds #1offender and also #1 recipient of aid ,if they are exceptional as they claim , why are they #1 Beggers, its a welfare state and the citizens are imported, from europe and will flee when well-fare money drys or run out. Also 10 million is not in any way or shape or form an economic power its only 10 million thats not a big economy , I wish no Harm to any human but Israel is running out of time, this bully mentality will not work, if you read history in that area we do take naps but definitely it doesnt take us 3000 years to come back 200 or less and we are in the second half, when democracy becomes the norm and it well In the arab world ,srael will realize they should've went with the 2 state, those imported fanatics living on the American taxpayer dollar will collectively feel the amnesia has subsided and they will remember were they left the polish passport
From the area - met Prof. West outside the FedEx in Harvard Sq. An incredibly kind individual with a deeper understanding than most... Harvard dropping the ball, always.
A man like Dr. Cornel West deserves respect and I am shocked Harvard has behaved this way towards a National Treasure like Dr. West. Shame on them. The students are missing out.
"I don't believe that respect can be coerced. I don't believe that respect can be forced." Incredible words from a legend and an icon. Dr. West will be fine without Harvard. It's sad that Harvard is no different than any other "fine institution" paying lip service to black equity.
Bravo to ABC TV for providing this open forum to showcase Dr. West's brilliance. It's refreshing to see an uninterrupted, intellectual interview on a commercial tv station. Thanks, ABC TV. Power to Brother West.
@@jimg6570 He lets his debaters talk longer than other lets say progressists. For his fans this counts as 'open minded'. Even if he doesn't actually change his mind.
Damn I don't know who he is, and that's unfortunate for me...but when he said "respect can't be coerced", I felt that and he's so right. Respect brother!
@Ten Bears yes and Harvard made a hudge mistake. He wasn't silenced. If anything Harvard has given it more volume. Kinda like that shop girl in Pretty Woman. Nor can I imagine Harvard's donars being thrilled at having been called out. A man with true morals can never be silenced.
I've always like Cornel West. He's very respectful when dealing with those he disagrees with, which I find is very important given how uncivil our discourse has been as of late. Plus, he's very passionate in the material he lectures, writes and speaks on, as well as addresses. He has a very pleasant personality in my view. He strikes me as a man of empathy.
That`s the main issue for professors all around the globe - but particularily in North America. Where once we valued professors and scholars enough to give them tenure positions or opportunities to work towards tenure - we now tend to offer teachers year long or two year long teaching positions - with the renewal of contracts every two years or so, if they are renewed at all. It`s virtually impossible to get tenure under these working conditions which I would argue, are not paid highly enough in the first place. Stability should almost be a guarantee when dealing with education; unless our concerns about eduction are slowly decreasing. Many of these scholars have dedicated YEARS of their lives to their fields, and are hoping to be able to dedicate many more of them and the best the education system can offer them is contract renewals. Once upon a time it used to be common place for teachers to get tenure; now a lot of teachers with education degrees even are shying away from education and veering into other community based positions where they can help their communities because the future is too uncertain. Its hard to have children, get a house etc in any one place when you cannot garantee yourself a steady job beyond 24 months because thats what it comes down to - not years, but months.
I am an old white male and I am a huge fan of Prof Cornel West. I am not anti-Semitic, have many Jewish friends whom I treasure. How can you tell a friend they are wrong, have done something you disagree with, without losing a friend. How can you criticize the state of Isreal without sounding anti-Semitic
You can’t . Better to keep your mouth shut unless you’d take the risk of losing your friends and quite possibly your livelihood. They don’t play games as a group .
This would have made sense if it was not for Saddam-less iraq, iran's ayttoallahs, syria's alawites, gaza's hamas, jordan's hashemites and so on. The israeli double edged sword of security-messianic elides military needs with religious zeal... That is shameful... And for that israel is forever accountable but it is pure naivette to think that ending the occupation means a peaceful and blissful middle east. The ramallah lynch is one such example.
@ahboaz What is pure naivety (mixed with genuine fear, arrogance, exceptionalism and a decent dosage of inhumanity) is the thought that ending the occupation isn’t possible.
@@poerava you are sure an idealistic thinker. When you end the occupation LEGALLY in a simple decree, how do you guarantee Israel's security from Iran, for example? How do you guarantee the security of those jews who rightfully live there (even if one concedes to remove later day settlers)? What does one do with jerusalem? Where the borders pass (47 has been scrapped... 67 are vanishing)? Water aquifer sharing? No rational government will leave vulnerable population and territory that will endanger its existence. This is no england occupying india or some colonial adventure...
@@44excalibur Don't look now, but the entire education system is indoctrination. So, I don't know why you used that phrase as if this was limited to Humanities Professors...
@@44excalibur you’re totally illiterate. Humanity studies allow science and technology to prevail. To hurt you even more, our world is strong than even because of theories in philosophy and other studies that allow governments to strengthen their democratic values.
@@siliziwencanywa1138 Humanities professors teach BS ideologies and courses that won't get students anywhere, and only turn them into woke snowflakes. Hard sciences are the only things worth studying because they deal in facts. Most students end up regretting having taken humanities courses as a waste of time.
Love Dr. Cornel, could listen to him talk about anything, such a blessed human being. He holds much intellectual and moral authority. Very capable to address Middle East issues without being antisemitic, or anti-anybody for that matter.
I think he was refused at Harvard because he isn’t a good little corporate Democrat that holds their dogma! Dr. West is a populist progressive. He is a truly good-hearted person that wants what’s best for humanity and takes a firm stance against injustice!!
American taxpayers gives yearly $3 Billion to Israel. American taxpayers loans yearly $8 Billion to Israel. American taxpayers gave one time $38 billion for military aid to Israel. They have national healthcare and free education.... I have no hate I just need help to understand it all.
The world is forever in their debt after the the Holocaust. It is what it is . Not being anti Semitic, just saying . I respect them for it honestly, the Holocaust was atrocious
@@missraeray it isn't the world paying them its the US. And by that logic should we give 4 billion to the Armenians every year? The only genocide victims the US owes money too are native Americans.
Let's stay educated in the Homelessness issues that's hurting, harming and saving the lives of our Black population on Skidrow, Downtown Los Angeles, speaking of life is a conundrum that Skidrow,I'm the first Black female true university educator in Homelessness,I have taught, trained and I was suffering and lived on the streets of Skidrow,I survived the death trap,yet, I'm never too far away from being one step away from the pits of hell on Skidrow, for once you've been chronic and homelessness you'll forever be in need of supportive services I'm thankful to the people's concern for helping me (aka LAMP COMMUNITY) AND FOR THE WOMEN'S UNION FOR ENLIGHTENMENT, GRATEFUL FOR THE LAPD CENTRAL STATION FIRE DEPARTMEN 7th street, and I'm most grateful for the midnight mission for over 108 years I'm not just helping me but others for feeding us providing showers toilets and a place to sleep.... What's the Cornell West please continue your endeavors continue to seek out people like me who teaches,learn and grow and continue to educate the masses... I indirectly learned from you how to be prideful remain optimistic and hopeful thank you thank you thank you thank you 🙏🏿❤️
Ohh wait, you’re telling me West is a liar and that U.S. media is not run by “Zionists” who prevent him from speaking the “truth”? Who knew he was a crackpot...
@@j.daniels1548 the reason why it's not "simple" is because it's not "their" land! It's the black and white thinking that you exhibit that is the problem!
It was always their land and will always be their lands no matter what you tell yourself you can’t build a nation on a another people’s land the truth can NEVER change
I think he’s one of the most interesting, unique voices in contemporary American thought. Shame on Harvard for caving in to conservative sensibilities.
No thanks. Our first encounter with manipulation by a group of black agitators was in 1969 with a photo on the cover of the alumni news. It featured a black man with a bandolier slung across his chest. He was described as demanding that a dormitory was to be occupied solely and officially by their group.
It is always refreshing hearing Dr Cornel West speak! A breathe of fresh is a polluted media landscape, I would love to attend his lectures, I would never miss a class! Also, if Dr West ever reads these comments, please consider moving to a HBCU..... In awe... Thank you Sir!
That’s why I love this brother; for his principled stances and telling Harvard and all the other reality distorters, to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. He’s right to point out that standing for truth is not good for careers at institutions, but there are places where the truth still counts. Too many branded institutions have been infected with agenda driven, “ideas of truth”, which is not the same thing as “the truth of truth” and he KNOWS the difference . In a world that is awakening to the difference, his leadership on this issue could not be more timely . Kudos to Dr. West , still a leading example of how to stick to your principles . Now he needs to be honest about the stolen election and join up with other truth tellers, who were and are persecuted by the same ones whose boot was on his neck.
The election was not stolen. It was close in the electoral college (so was the 2016 election, that chips fell toward Trump in 2016). The SWING states have an R lregislature and most have a R govenor. and ONLY there a theoretical manipulation would have made any impact on the OUTCOME of the election.
Death-by-a-thousand-cuts voter suppression strategies that had been diligently implemented by Republicans were neutered by mail voting. Republicans HATE high turnout, they cannot win with that. (and Democrats that serve the same big donors and have the tasks asigned to them to beat pro labor candidates in the primaries do not like high turnout in the primaries either. To the point that they use some of the same tactics as Republicans in the general. Closing polling stations, creating long wait times, making it harder for young people to vote for instance closing polling stations at universities, or the demand to be registered as Democrat 6 months before like in New York which massively favors the establishment candidates getting support from people that always vote in primaries.
Republicans (in the crucial states) had been in charge of the chain of custody for absentee voting in elections before, so let's hope they did their job. In 2020 they had to apply the same procedures, just to much higher volume. Republican politicians had badmouthed the process already in summer (because they knew that mail voting tends to increase turnout and Republican candidates do not fare well when more people participate in elections). To their credit the boards that are usually tasked with organizing the elections did their job (typically the state legislatures are not involved with the nitty gritty of elections they once pass a low to delegate that to a board) Politicians intentionally and cynically sowed distrust. The people in charge of the practical aspects of the election certainly had an incentive to revisit their protocols. Did they hold up for mass handling ? Did they have to finetune ? They certainly needed more resources (staff)
Stolen election. Did you notices how the Trump Czar for the postal services ordered that sorting machines should be removed and sold - just when it was clear they would have to handle a lot of mail ballots in a few months and then within short time. The outcry was so strong that they stopped the moron, but they did not get the sorting machines back that they had already stolen. it was just that he was stopped from undermining postal services even more. btw: the postal service is mentioned in the constitution (like the army or justice system). It is supposed to be supproted as a public service.
