Race Matters, by Cornel West

p Race Matters , by Cornel West

Introduction and Summary

The pages of human history daubed in bloodshed on account of ethnic conflicts and race relations ask the crying question . How to make this Planet Earth heaven-like ? The answer is simple and direct . Eyes full of understanding , hearts full of love and the life that refuses conflicts-enough , these alone are enough ! When a race subjugated for centuries , begins to assert itself , many issues turn controversial . The problems are twofold . One related to the white race and the internal problems of crisis of

leadership and affirmative action amongst the black race . To destroy an ill-founded system is a difficult task . The reconstruction and rejuvenation of a society with newfound values is even more difficult . Cornel West , in his thought provoking essays throws light on some of the fundamental problems faced by the black Americans . He criticizes and also offers solutions . His radical approach may not be acceptable to all but they initiate a worthwhile debate , and kindle inquisitive curiosity . The issues that will have historic value for all time to come , like the Los Angeles riots after the Rodney King verdict , Malcolm X , Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill and the black street life are vividly described in the book . The essays reflect the ceaseless struggle of the black race , and their valiant efforts to establish rightful place in mainstream of American political , economic and social life . This has to be achieved by maintaining the essential dignity of their unique culture of the race

Analysis

The ideal situation , an attainable reality for the people of America is , the dawn of realization with the leadership of both the communities , that blacks and the whites are alternative beats of the same heart . What worries Cornel most , is the intellectual level of the black leadership . According to Cornel , African Americans are divided into two camps , the liberal structuralists and the conservative behaviorists . West goes to observe , "Unfortunately , these two camps have nearly suffocated the debate that should be taking place about the prospects for black America (West , 1994 ,

. 18 ) This disunity among the two schools of thought of black race is the most unfortunate aspect of the African Americans . In his efforts to diffuse this internal conflict amongst the Blacks , Cornel comes out with a solution in Chapter 2 of the book . He touches the bs or spirituality when he pleads to "replace racial reasoning with moral reasoning (p . 38 ) Thus moral reasoning becomes the second important concern in Race Matters by Cornel and this approach is his positive contribution to the possible solutions for the problems of African Americans . The main issue with most of the black Americans is that they are being destroyed by the inner conviction of uselessness . Economic prosperity can not compensate for this loss The fountain of hope and love has to spring forth from the hearts of the blacks as for their internal relations first and disposition with the white race next . Even better , if both the developments take...