Author and African-American studies scholar Cornel West will present a free talk entitled “Democracy Matters” at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. His talk is part of Black History Month events organized by Washington State University.
West’s presentation will draw from his 1994 book “Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism,” which he describes as a sequel to his 1984 book titled “Race Matters.” West’s most recent book addresses racial, cultural and political issues in the “present age of the American empire.”
West writes: “There is a deeply troubling deterioration of democratic powers in America today. The rise of an ugly imperialism has been aided by an unholy alliance of the plutocratic elites and the Christian Right, and also by a massive disaffection of so many voters who see too little difference between two corrupted parties, with blacks being taken for granted by the Democrats, and with the deep disaffection of youth.”
A philosopher and professor of religion at Princeton University, West also is known for his involvement with several political and social organizations, such as the Democratic Socialists of America, President Clinton’s National Conversation on Race and the National Parenting Organization’s Task Force on Parent Empowerment. He has published more than 20 books and numerous essays.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to listen to someone so well respected in the field of race relations,” said James Bledsoe, chair of the WSU African-American Faculty and Staff Association.
