Experts

Cornel West

Princeton Professor, Author of "Brother West"

The great musicians—like Curtis Mayfield, Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan—understand life in all its bristling glory: find your passion, never leave it, and become a prisoner to the hope that it matters. Read More

In the face of cruelty and sorrow, there is a form of love that can propel people past feelings of bitterness and revenge and into the desire to promote justice—for Cornel West this force is embodied in the blues. Read More

Or will he finally show backbone and take a firm stance? Cornel West hopes for the latter but fears the former. Read More

The president faces a choice, Cornell West says. He can be a masterful, Machiavellian politician like Bill Clinton or a great transformative leader like Abraham Lincoln. Read More

If we want a society that is truly great, we will need to avoid the panicky trappings and “moral constipations” of “success” and redefine life’s real questions. Read More

For 40 years academics were duped into idolizing the idea of unfettered markets, says Cornel West, and now our society is paying a terrible price. Read More

His third-grade teacher slapped him when he didn’t salute the flag, and he hit her back. Read More

The President’s failing is that he is “mesmerized” by brilliant men who are too cozy with Wall Street. Read More

Big Think sits down with the author and University Professor at Princeton University. Read More

About Cornel West

Cornel West

Cornel West is a philosopher, author and the University Professor at Princeton University. A widely cited figure in a variety of fields, he is the author of the new memoir, "Brother West: Living & Loving Out Loud," as well as “Race Matters,” “The Future of Race,” “Democracy Matters: The Battle Against Imperialism,” among many others. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Sacramento, California, West graduated Magna Cum Laude Harvard University and went on to complete his Ph.D at Princeton. The winner of numerous awards, including the American Book Award, he has also received more than twenty honorary degrees.

My Newest Book
My Newest Book

"Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud: A Memoir." Newsweek calls West,"Uncompromising and unconventional...Cornel West is an eloquent prophet with attitude."

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