An interesting view on race and related politics in the 90s. Although the political part is outdated the ideas behind the book are still running strong

I so wish I was close enough to Princeton to be able to take a course or two of his there - although I hear he is moving to Union Theological Seminary soon to teach there.

Race Matters is a series of lectures exposing and criticizing the moral ethics of racism and many other isms that run side by side with racism.

The beginning story from Cornel West's real life experience in preparing this book for publication says it all. Nothing trumps the lived experience. As Bob Marley said - who feels it knows it.

Very thought-provoking. I so admire the man for his openness to debate and his clarity of position and thought.

I followed West throughout the run up for President - supportive of Obama but with a critical edge.

I'll probably read this book again soon.

Reading black historical figures (Frederick Douglas) and contemporary black conservatives (like T sowell) stimulates my mind and gives me hope for black Americans. But Cornel West likes to hear the own sound of his voice even when his arguments are shallow, unsupported by fact or even common sense, or simply hostile. I fear for our universities of higher knowledge if this man, so stuck in the past, can be a tenured professor and teach young people to fix themselves on issues of race, when most of us just want to see our black friends thrive.

Powerful

would highly recommend - short and to the point. West always values a moral framework first and foremost

West provides a very rational discussion on the different ways that race is still significant in this country. He presents the arguments that it is not just structural discrimination, but cultural and behavioral choice that work together to create and reinforce the inner city ghetto: "The predominance of this way of life among those living in poverty-ridden conditions, with a limited capacity to ward off self-contempt and self-hatred, results in the possible triumph of the nihilistic threat in black America.” It links well with Joy DeGruy's theory of PTSS and Glenn Loury's work on addressing the moral failings of the ghetto.

He argues for real conversation that does not dehumanize or put any on a pedestal: "Our truncated public discussions of race suppress the best of who and what we are as a people because they fail to confront the complexity of the issue in a candid and critical manner,” but allows free exchange of information between races.

He also acknowledges the vast class differences between races and the tendency of black middle classes to abandon the fight once they achieve individual success. He also highlights the problem with consumerism and capitalist pursuit of pleasure above all other things, especially for a marginalized lower class: "market activity has contributed greatly to the disorientation and confusion of American youth, and those with less education and fewer opportunities bear the brunt of this cultural chaos.”

Overall it is a short, easy read collection of essays on the importance of race in America. He speaks from the point of view of empowering black Americans without the vitriolic voice heard in Coates' work.

Concise and compelling. Each chapter could be approached independently.

How have I gotten this far in my life and never read Cornel West? I am so glad that I am rectifying that error. What an incredible racial thinker.

For some reason I've been preoccupied with race relations in the US of late, likely due to the overwhelming racial issues constantly cropping up in the politics, the news, and every other outlet of information. If the cops aren't shooting dogs for fun, they seem to enjoy aiming at the nearest convenient black person, which in turn causes a 24 hour news producer to soil his or her shorts with delusions of expository grandeur. Then there's the joy of a black president and its charming side affect of apparent open season on racism. "I'm not racist, but Obama....." And for the love of God don't read the comments sections on the Internet, I implore you...apparently some of us have yet to crawl out of the ooze.

Regardless, Cornel West has always seemed an interesting guy to me so I thought it time to read his book. It's a good read and one worthy of honest debate. Let's face it, the racial state of this country is a hot bag of cats and more than that it's incredibly vast and complex. To make matters worse, there's nearly no open dialogue on the topic that could lead to a collective catharsis. Like any complex system, it's likely outside of our capability to fully understand. Explain gravity to me please. Too easy? Try explaining race relations to me. Exactly.

Simplification, which seems to be our second nature, only makes everything worse. There are those that would refuse to acknowledge race entirely, clearly not helping toward an open dialogue. The 'everyone is the same' argument, while hopeful in theory chooses to ignore generations of history that have shaped the present and our collective psyches and identities. On the other hand, the 'Nobody helped me' argument chooses to ignore inherent opportunities given to some and denied to others based on education, wealth, race, and upbringing. At their core, these fundamental arguments are pernicious in their propagation and ignorant in their lack of vision.

West has a books worth of theories on the topic, but the one I found most illuminating was the idea of black racism and a collective breakdown of self worth in the black community. As someone who is rarely confronted with his own race, it hadn't occurred to me that it can have the same trickle down effect as something like a childhood trauma. It's like a sort of cultural bullying played out over centuries. It's terrifying to consider the repercussions of such a thing.

The solution, like the problem, lies in the masses and a change of outlook therein. Our predilection for 'us vs them' thinking is a Stone Age relic. In reality, there is no 'them' anymore, just us. Eventually we might get there, but progressive change is rarely fast or painless. The future I imagine looks less like Utopia and more like The Road, but that's just me.

Go read this book.

5/5 might be a bit much for this one, but I was simply taken by his analysis of nihilism. This book may be 30 years old, but this still feels like the defining political trait of our age. And, crucially, West is not simply concerned with explaining why nihilism is a political dead-end the way some of my fellow Marxists are. Of course nihilism is a political dead-end, that's the point! Marxists severely lack an appreciation for the tragic, and in an era so defined by it this is a weakness which renders us irrelevant.

I'll work out a real review soon enough.

When I started this book, I almost immediately stopped reading. Within the first chapter, I’d determined that the author and I would not always agree. I’m so glad that I was able to see past my own selfish individualism, and allow for diversity,especially within my own race. In completing the book, the author challenged me to evaluate my own motives first in my evaluation of race relations. He then supported me to evaluate the views of others, regardless of race, power, political status, etc. and see how they affect my views and impact my past, present and future. I’m referring to “me” but truly he wrote in such a way as to make me feel he was instructing me personally! Towards the end he tied together what I felt was a million strands related to America as a nation. He encouraged me, and other readers to view our country with our eyes wide open. Know our history, our present, and the impact that we are currently having on what is now our future and the future of our descendants!!! He wrote in such a way that I was able to forgive and accept the view of white individuals in my association who’ve recently upset me with their personal views. He helped me to understand the evolution of racism and it’s impact on current race matters. To understand that everyone of us are learning and evolving daily. Without patient teachers, we’re definitely doomed to repeat the racist history and patterns that are woven into the fabric of our nation and accepted as normal! I recommend this book to be read at least once. More often if you have time.