The Betrayal by the Black Elite 

"the problem is we have too many black people trying to love everyone except other black people." ....... excellent truth

Thank God for RU-vid. I learn so much from these men.

Man this is why I respect Cornel West.

Listening to these men speak is a master class in humanist compassion.

The Truth and Integrity have few Friends.

Always liked Dr. West but I had no idea how brilliant he is.

A learned man and pillar of knowledge. Dr West brings the love.

"can you forgive the oppressor while they are oppressing?"...... the simple answer should've been NO. smh

I loooove brother West. He is a man with integrity!

What makes cornel west so effective is that he works at an emotional, intellectual, and spiritual level. My brain was stimulated but when he said forgiveness is the highest form of love, I had to pause the video because I started crying, basically I broke down, and realizing how I refuse to forgive in my life and I had an epiphany and that’s why he’s so amazing because it’s like REAL self-help, substantive upliftment, intellectual stimulation, self-criticism, and structural and societal critique all in one. Cornel west is who Jordan Peterson wishes he was. Lol the more I listen to west the better I become as a person. I can’t describe it in words.

I've had goosebumps from the beginning till the end of this conversation. Thank you so much Chris Hedges and Cornel West!

I respect both of these individuals very much - they have been more involved in all of these struggles than many of us commenting here. This must be acknowledged, period. Chris Hedges, a couple of years ago, hit the nail on the head, when he lamented the Death of Liberal Class. This is not just happening here in the US, but essentially world-wide, and many of us non-latte consuming liberals, recognized this 25 years ago, when Reagan and Thatcher advanced their reactionary theories, and the liberal parties in America and in Europe fell right in line. All of these issues boil down to economics, and in particular, neo-liberal and laisse-faire economics, which is nothing less than legalized bribery. The worst policies in terms of social cohension and a sense of fairness were further dismantled via the Social Democrats in Germany and other European nations, after the fall of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was an entrenched and corrupt system, and nobody is longing to have it back. But it's collapse initiated a system equally bad, with the ultimate goal of destroying all social safety nets everywhere, and with the ultimate goal of financalizing the entirety of human experience for profit. I remember Dr. West campaigning for Obama during his first run for office, while Chris Hedges was sceptical from the start. We all had high hopes back then, after the Bush disaster years, but probably none of us could have predicted, that the Obama administration would essentially tow the corporate line at every turn, and expand the surveillance state even further. No amount of intellectual prowness is equipped to counter this force, and as Chris has mentioned many times before, what we are witnessing today is mere spectacle. As far as the human values these two embody - I agree - as well as their rejection of the New Atheist movement, which is far too sure and arrogant in my view. It is one thing to uphold science and new discoveries as something good, but it quite another, once science becomes corrupted by big money, and the promise for profit down the line. The problem with trying to get this message out is this: most of the media are financed by huge corporations, and while Real News and other outlets can be supported, the vast majority of people is being dumbed down day by day, smart-phone by smart-phone, which will eventually make a democracy impossible. A democracy cannot function with an ill-informed populace, or an entire generation focused on the latest consumer goods, just to get by or to apply for a job, while barely getting by. By fostering a climate of competition amongst the population (globally), huge corporations and the financial industry has been busy consolodating their power, creating huge mergers and monopolies. This is taking place globally. Not all of these powers agree with each other, thus, the only competition taking place at this stage is a quest for dominance over the last remaining resources. The actual populations have very little input, if at all. So, the reality will be continued resource wars, mass starvation, genocide and savage wars for sheer survival. Meanwhile, the utopians over at Silicon Valley, have given up on humanity alltogether and want to project their own twisted brains into the future - a few multi-billionaires trying to infest other planets with their ridiculous hubris. I am perfectly ok with being mortal, and I understand the quest of these two people here in this interview, as far as their ethics are concerned, although I do not share any ambitions for martyrdom in any sense, as Chris sometimes does. We are merely a spec in the universe and nothing more. While still around, we should try to alleviate the suffering of others, whenever possible...that is all. But we must also perhaps recognize, that there will be no conscious afterlife whatsoever, after we die, which is why we try to have compassion, while still alive and here.

"I believe in forgiveness as a Christian but I don't believe in premature forgiveness"- Dr. West. hahahaha!

I lean conservative, but I love both of these guys because they are honest, passionate, and know how to make a point.

I love being black, I love my black brothas and Sista. I love y’all wholeheartedly! I swear I do...

Cornell West is very very intelligent he's on of my role models

Thank you for featuring Dr. West. What a compelling speaker.

This is one of the best sit down talks I've ever seen. Talks about History, oppression, political policy's, war, peace, love and compassion, even to an oppressor. These two woke me up on whats really important in life. Although I never purposefully hated myself and others, I too was complacent, individualistic and blind to the suffering of others. Now I'm trying to place myself in a position to fight to good fight of integrity, while making a living for a quality of life I want us all to have. Thank you Mr West and Mr Hedges.

Cornell west is brilliant

"They may point to a Martin Luther King Jr every January, but Martin Luther King Jr of 1965 or 1966 or 1968 has no place in how they go about living their lives, engaging in their politics." Cornell was spittin fire from 4:03 - 5:00

The black middle class is the butt of the joke now.

Cornel is amazing. Our American Hegel, our American Sartre, Krleža.

This has been showing up as suggested for me to view everyday for the past month. Oh my gosh. I'm glad I finally listened to this. It's so on point.

I agree!! 2019, we must break the status quo. A revolution is needed

I have no forgiveness for oppression.... Point blank.

What a great conversation.

Thank you, honorable Cornel West, for mentioning Palestine. I support Black Liberation. May Allah give your people power.

These two are some of the most important intellectuals of our time. We must listen and heed their warnings. I didn't know much about Cornel West untill watching this. I've been a big Chris Hedges fan for many years. I hope many more people see this. Thank you.

You ROCK Cornel West. Thank you for being upstanding and endorsing Bernie Sanders. We can win. Love how you said there are more of us in the making. DAMN STRAIGHT!!! #bernieorbust #stillsanders #blacklivesmatter #vivabernie #latinosforbernie #muslimsforbernie #womenforbernie #usnotme #bernie2016

...Two Giants of the Intellectual and Activism consciousness of our time.. West And Hedges.. Bless up

When these two get together there is always a good show. Thank you for sharing.

one of the smartest black intellectuals of our times. i hope he is being heard by the black community.

God bless Cornel West. His knowledge brings me to tears. I did think there were any more black voices like his. He speaks the truth all the time, not only when it's beneficial for a particular moment. "A true warrior"

Thanks Chris for listening with great dialogue with Cornel. We have come a long way 😊

Bottom line : "The love of money is the root of *ALL* evil".

Two of my favorite people!

One of greatest social activist minds. I wish he criticized discrimination at it's source, the monetary system.

Chris Hedges looks at Dr West with such amazing love... I ask myself if I've ever truly loved.

One of the realest, deepest and conscious discussions I missed but glad to see now 4 years later!

It is such a pleasure to hear 2infamous men in this type discussion. I want to thank you both!

I see Cornel West, I click !!

Incredible Interview! I could listen to those two all day long. So much wisdom in one room.

And We All Know who "THEY" are. Excellent discussion Bridges and West.

One thing is absolutely clear is the playing field is not level.SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS!

Two of the very greatest men alive. I love both of them and their work.

And this is why as a black man I am a moderate. I’m not no extreme conservative or liberal. Both sides are equally detrimental to the black community and both supports white supremacy.

please, stop using the green screen.

Cornel West is able to see and yet remain uplifted and be uplifting at all times. Totally amazing.

Interesting interview.

I respect this man so much he is a courageous Man that will not sell-out. Being a Brown man it's breaks my heart that we have nothing close to this great man. Brown people relate to the Black struggle. It's not just a Black but also Brown Struggle. Black and Brown Solidarity is the only way to break the system that continues to oppress us.

He's the only true CHRISTIAN I had a pleasure to know, and love

I have learned more from the honorable Dr West then I have learned in all my years in school. I believe that if we truly want to educate our children, his talks and interviews should be shown in our schools and taught as curriculum. And I am talking High School on up.

Great video

What a fantastic discussion. So good for the heart.

The Achilles' heel is the...pocketbook ! It has worked before !

This is a powerful dialog. Truly transformational. ❤

that has to be my top 5 hegdes interviews

Awesome conversation. Glad to be a part of the struggle as well!!!

I'm with you Dr. West, I'm with you all the way.

Civil "rights" wasn't a political success either.

This discourse is just as relevant as it was in 2015!

Cornell West warms my heart when he speaks passionately... And he usually does.

Read: The Isis (Yssis) Papers: The Keys to the Colors by Frances Welsing

This is exceptional. Words from the heart and soul.

I hate saying this, because I'm afraid of being misinterpreted. I feel the the crux of the problem of injustice and wealth inequality is culture. Take brother West's argument about black elites who are turning their backs on their brothers and sisters in poor communities. I feel that they are turning their backs, not necessarily because they don't care, but because they want to distance themselves from that culture. Yes you could say both statements are the same, but there is a distinction. By nature when we don't like something, we try to do our best to distance ourselves from those problems. Trying to change things takes effort and requires an extra will that most people don't naturally use. So how do we stop or change gang violence? How do we change the behaviors of 16th St Gang? The McCarthyists would say lock them up. I say we created the 16th st gang because we locked them up, by locking them up we actually perpetuate violent gang culture. I say turn the prisons into rehabilitation centers teaching trade skills, English, literature, mathematics, sciences. One could say that some prisons already do that, which is true, but not all of them and some are worse than most. Changing that may take an act of legislation. Start a Gang that allows members to remain in their gang, but work together on legal defense and outward mobility, with only one rule and that's that they will try to do something good that makes things better for everybody. Or something simple like that, something that allows them to grow or evolve with roots aimed at a more positive outlook. We also need to find a way to change the culture of white supremacists. I always start to think that their archaic culture will go the way of the dinosaurs, and every time i think that they have gone away they raise their ugly head and show that they have been there the whole time. They are in our courthouses and our police forces and that is very dangerous. So what mechanisms do you use to change the idea of a culture that if you don't like something you step on it?

Chris & Cornell are two of the greatest out there, today!!

HOOK UP WITH BERNIE , HE NEEDS YOU , PEOPLE !

"If the boot is on our neck, does it make any difference what color the foot is?"

Good points made in this conversation, and real truth. I still have a problem with any person that would try to bring religion into the arena of solving social ills. Take any religions so called "moral compass", out of the solution, and I'm on board. I'm not saying Dr.West is preaching, just that we need to get away from the notion that religion's ideology is the ONLY path for morality. It is not.

The intro is a powerful.....tied to ruthless ambition rather than moral integrity

You don't have to be religious to appreciate the morals of Jesus.

Dr. Cornel West; a class-act through and through. Powerful and elegant intellect, always relevant and on point.

I love Dr. West. He's a smart, honest, compassionate man who articulates his positions very well. I wish he had more power to be in more of a leadership role, especially for the black community. I see, among some black people, a disturbing anti-intellectualism stance. I've even heard, from some of my black friends, that some of their black friends will call a brother seeking higher education a "race traitor." That's very troubling to me, this anti intellectual bias, among both blacks and whites. Knowledge is power, some knowledge more powerful than others, but true in general, too, imo. I love learning. Another disturbing thing I've noticed, among all people, is a total inability, or unwillingness, to EVER admit they are wrong, about anything. And even fewer will apologize due to this internecine concept that an apology is a display of weakness. That's some ignorant shit. Real men cry, they admit when they are wrong, and if they've hurt someone, are willing to say, "hey, I'm sorry for that." When it comes to forgiveness, receiving it or giving it, an apology goes a long wa, if the apology is sincere, and especially if backed with compassionate actions.

Ironically, Cornel West is just as much apart of the problem himself. 😤

My advice is...think outside the box! I bought a beachfront home in Central America, which I could not afford to buy in Florida or California. I only face racism when I return to the U.S. to visit family and friends. As I travel throughout Central and South America, I am amazed that more people of color have not done what non-color people have done. That being.....moving to a non-racist and economically cheaper country for wealth building. Truth be told, I can only stay in the U.S. on visits for less than 10 days because of racism, the police state, negative news broadcasting, consumerism 24/7, and the possibility I may get shot by police or criminals.

Interesting conversation. Cornel West is amongst one of blacks greatest intellectuals.

NAACP annual national meeting us sponsored by ford chevy McDonalds Walmart etc. They bought it.

These are the only two honest and intelligent people you can find now days.

Like Booker T Washington so eloquently said, "crabs in a barrel".

I have so much reverence and respect for both of you (Dr. West and Hedges). I learn every day from both of you. I would love to see and hear programming contextualizing these same issues from the perspective of women of all demographics. (Black, White, Lesbian, Transgender, etc...). Thank you again, for all you do in the basic human enlightenment endeavor.

to me there is no black community its a African American Nation with culture ,language,spirituality,music ,history etc..... a nation within a nation, different than the rulers of these countries who are there to preserve the system not the people times have changed these issues must be resolved they havent but before the African Nation there must absolutly the recognition of the FIRST NATIONS here before Europeens came what we live in is a paternalistic w.a.s.p attitude

indeed the love can never be snuffed out PERIOD brotha Cornell. Peace

he sounds good at the beginning then Mr West will lead you astray

I can't love Cornell West more. He is always speaking truth and without fear.

West says some good stuff but warped on other issues

Two great moral leaders together. We are blessed!

I've been an English major but I still didn't really understand what he was saying. I wish I knew more big words so I could comprehend his full message

Probably the smartest man in our country i hope more people listen to Chris

Ruthless ambition and individual upward momentum... grabs my attention cuz I've seen a lot of this throughout my life 🖒good interview 🖒

Two of the best. May God bless you both. Stay strong.🙏❤️🙋‍♂️

I found the the discussion of forgiveness interesting. I'm a former Catholic who is now an atheist. One thing I always found particularly troubling with Christianity was the Christian concept of forgiveness which I had always been taught was unconditional. To my thinking I wouldn't cause harm to someone else because I have enough empathy to not want to cause grief to others. But not everyone thinks like I do and if there aren't serious consequences for those engaging in evil conduct it might encourage bad behavior. I also observed many people don't confront those engaging in evil because they're cowards afraid of a confrontation. Then after encountering a diabolically evil, deceptive and manipulative person I learned a great deal about psychopaths with narcissistic personality disorder and about forgiveness from a devout Christian man who had some very relevant interpretations of scripture from the book of Matthew in the Bible. I'm not sure exactly where in the book of Matthew but there is a verse that acknowledges we all fall short of the glory of God and commit sin. But scripture draws a sharp distinction between those who sin and those who "practice sin". Thats a crucial distinction because the definition of "practice" changes the entire context of sinning. To practice something means to intentionally and repetitively engage in some activity with the goal of becoming proficient at it. This describes a psychopath perfectly. They consider themselves the predator and everyone else their prey and they repetitively engage in sin until they become so cunning and proficient at it they can deceive almost anyone. They have no shame, guilt or remorse because deceiving people, perpetrating evil and getting away with it is empowering to them. They enjoy it! So according to the Book of Matthew, those who "practice sin" are judged and judged to be not forgiven and they will not enter the Kingdom of God. Iinstead I assume they will be condemned to eternal damnation and misery in Hell. But then since I'm an atheists I don't interpret the Bible as the literal word of God or necessarily believe in Hell but I do find it very relevant that contrary to what many Christians believe, the Bible does not treat all sinners the same nor does it preach unconditional forgiveness for people who in a very calculated, repetitive and manipulative way engage in sin. The second thing he taught me is that there're two types of forgiveness depending on who you're dealing with. If the person who committed some transgression is capable of feeling shame, guilt and is sincerely remorseful for what they did to hurt someone then it is possible to experience Redemptive Forgiveness which is truly healing for everyone involved. If however you're dealing with a psychopath any attempt to reconcile a dispute through forgiveness will only be viewed by the psychopathic predator as your weakness and yet another opportunity to stalk and cause more harm to their prey. Don't do it! Instead the healthiest thing you can do is to acknowledge the person and situation for who they are and what it is, go no contact and settle for Emancipatory Forgiveness. So you don't eat yourself up inside with anger over something you can't change just chalk it to life experience and forgive to the extent that you can close the loop and emancipate yourself from suffering by moving on with your life because there's no up side to prolonging the situation. I others find this helpful!

EXCELLENT interview,, My god!!! Thank you Chris!! Thank youoooooooo

Thank you to Chris and Dr West, l have never heard issues crystallised in such a way.

Brilliant. How did I miss this. Got to get this book. Thank you for such an engaging and informative guest Chris.

The powerful will do what they can. The weak will suffer what they must.

Thank you for putting this interview out there!

A beautiful interview.

thank you, TRN, excelent as always! Thank Chris HEdges and Dr. Cornel West

Thank God this channel is back

"Well adapted to indifference." Now that is the is in what it is!