Cornel West "Race Matters"

Summary

The conservative and Liberal debate on Black Americans ignores the real issues in Black America. The liberals call for government program similar to the New Deal, which can aid Black Americans. The conservatives advocate for free market practices, including the implementation of Puritan work ethics in the lives of Black Americans However, before we can address the issues; West argues that there must be three issues fully understood. First America must acknowledge that the circumstances of people shape their decision and opinions. These circumstances can be changed through positive action, which better the living conditions. Blatchford argues this exact philosophy, temperament, environment, and genetics shapes the choices one makes in his/her life. To change these decisions, the environment must be changed. Second, America must recognize that culture structures societies too, not just politics and economics. Cultural ideas are the foundations for schools, places of worship and families. Thirdly, no one in America takes the time to read the real, depressing facts about Black Americans such as the unemployment rate. The debate begins when America accepts the nihilistic threat in Black America. Nihilism is “… the lived experience of coping with a life of horrifying meaninglessness, hopelessness, and (most important) lovelessness,” (14). Nihilism existed when African slaves first arrived in the New World but they overcame the struggle by clinging onto their culture. The suicide rate for Black Americans was far less then. Now, Black America faces a loss of culture and religion. The existential quest no longer exists because now the society faces a cutthroat, capitalistic market. As American consumerism swept the nation, poverty struck Black America faced growing problems. Americans craved pleasure and comfort but it was unattainable for many Black people. Nihilism fed on the poverty, anger towards the white oppressors, and self – loathing of black Americans and, as a result, crimes increased. More and more Black Americans struggle with their identity as they navigate through the capitalistic culture created by a few wealthy companies in America. The media also contributes to nihilism in Black America’s marketing strategies are based off most cash value, ignoring the negative affects of the media culture created. Much of the media attacks black intelligence, black beauty and black ability. West acknowledges the pragmatic approach in many aspect so America, and how it damages the black community. Our class has discussed the Pragmatic America and this texts buts the philosophy in racial context. The problems behind inequity of Black Americans roots from the nihilistic threat to them from White American culture. West claims that to end the nihilistic threat, Black leadership and other black people must promote a positive image of themselves.

West argues for affirmative actions because although this action may not end the discriminatory problems towards Black Americans, it is a step in the right direction of equity for them. Affirmative action is a redistributive act in education that moves towards the ending of poverty in Black society.

Black Leadership and Affirmative Action: Teachings of Cornel West

As Cornel West so eloquently stated, “The Paradox of Race in America is that our common destiny is more pronounced and imperiled precisely when our divisions are deeper,” (West 4). The lingering affects of slavery still serve as severe societal setbacks for the majority of black America. West explains that the rise of Nihilism amplifies these setbacks, making it even harder for black Americans to work their way up in American society. Black America does not need more motivation to work but instead they need equal opportunity. Affirmative action must be implemented to create a more equitable education system. To combat Nihilism, black America needs more black leaders to represent their societal problems that can be achieved through affirmative action, allowing them to obtain more educational opportunities.

West points out the nihilism spread through out black America. The fact that the name “black America” exists points out the fundamental issue in this country: institutionalized Racism. The institution we live in does not benefit black Americans; in fact it works against their success. The capitalistic mindset of our society exploits black culture and profits off of it. The recent rise in “twerking” demonstrates this point (Freeman). The media attacks black ability, black intelligence, and black beauty. Even if we live in a post – slavery society, we definitely have not conquered the inherent segregation in our society. Race correlates with socio-economic class in America because of lingering affects of slavery, like discrimination, making it difficult for black America to prosper. Their inability roots from the institution, not their lack of work ethic (Bollinger). One out of two black children live in poverty (West 7). The economic disparity between races contributes to the achievement gap too.  Black America cannot attain the American dream, like others who come to this, country because the systemic racism works against their success. In the words of Lyndon Johnson, “To be black in a white society is not to stand on level and equal ground. While the races may stand side by side, whites stand on history’s mountain and blacks stand in history’s hollow. Until we overcome that history, we cannot overcome unequal opportunity,”(Bollinger). So how should black America proceed? What must they do to conquer the problem?

West explains that black America must cultivate more black leaders that can serve as role models to combat nihilism. Instead of letting the youth of black America feel worthless compared to their privileged white peers, a love ethic should be applied to reverse the effects of nihilism. Black leaders must focus on creating self – love in nihilistic black America. Some argue that Barack Obama demonstrates this black leadership for black People. Richard Prince, a writer for “Journal-isms”, explains that teachers sometimes use Barack Obama’s family as behavioral examples for black children. However, the effect only reaches the anecdotal level. Other black students, like a junior at New York City's High School of Environmental Studies, Charles Nyantakyi,

explains that Obama is only inspiration but the opportunities are not available for the majority of black America (Montopoli). A black leader exists as an inspiration and as an example but with out the proper platform, the inspiration serves no purpose for black youth.

After the famous Brown v. Board of Education system decision, segregation of schools became a thing of the past, or so we thought. Recent statistics show that 6,727 schools have a white population of less than ten percent. The resegregation of schools is evident when compared to the diversity of schools just a generation before (Bollinger). Too many Americans believe that racism and discrimination is a problem of the past. Instead statistics prove that minority students are being pushed back into the poor, inner city schools. West explains that for black America to benefit from as many opportunities as their privileged peers, affirmative action must be implemented in our education system to redistribute opportunities. However, this idea receives lots of backlash in America as it is seen as an unfair preference instead a fix for missed opportunities due to discrimination (Higginbotham). This backlash comes from a place of ignorance around the amount of opportunities many black Americans have. The economic inequality, that exists between white people and black people today, measures worse than during Apartheid South Africa. The lingering effects of slavery can be seen in today’s job market and society in general (Kristoff). In fact, the second affirmative action was removed from the University of Michigan, black students only made up 2.8 percent of the population (Bollinger). This demonstrates that the disparity between black and white students does not only exist economically. To raise black Americans up in society, education must first be readily available to them.

Some Americans have understood the achievement gap between black and white Americans and fought for affirmative action. In the famous case Grutter v. Bollinger, Grutter argued that race base admission hurts non – minority applicants. However the court voted it didn’t because the University of Michigan looked at an applicant holistically factoring in race and socioeconomic status, to ensure diversity at the school (“GRUTTER V BOLLINGER”). A second case caused affirmative action to end at the University. However, the work of West, on affirmative actions, was reflected in the first decision as it acknowledged the need for students with diverse racial backgrounds so that the school represents different ones. This decision confirmed that affirmative action aims to put more people of color in schools when the opportunities aren’t always readily available for them.

Yes America lives in a post – slavery society but the opportunities for black Americans remain enslaved. Institutional racism persists, leading to nihilism in black America. Once black Americans receive the same platform for success as the privileged in this country, they will always be at an extreme disadvantage. West’s work impacts the way people address racial problems like affirmative action and the recognition of how much work must be done to rehabilitate a race that has faced far too many obstacles. Barack Obama and Oprah portray the black leaders that West hoped would inspire and mobilize black Americans. However, even Bollinger and, the high school Student, Nyantakyi realize that inspiration alone cannot aid in this mission. Education must also be available. Maybe somewhere down the road, the lingering affects of slavery will disappear, taking away the need for affirmative action. However, black Americans continue to be seen as those who most conform to the white system if they desire to succeed. West’s work does not mean to undermine the successes of black America, but instead to highlight the problem that continue to be swept under a rug.

Annotated Works Consulted

Bollinger, Lee. "Sixty Years Later, We Need a New Brown - The New Yorker." The New Yorker. Condé Nast, 16 May 2014. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/sixty-years-later-we-need-a-new-brown>.  This source perfectly outlines how America has progressed since Brown v. Board of Education but still has room to improve especially since our schools are resegregating. This author fought for affirmative action at the University of Michigan.

Cooper, Brittney. "Cornel West Was Right All Along: Why America Needs a Moment of Clarity Now." Saloncom RSS. Salon, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.salon.com/2014/10/15/cornel_west_was_right_all_along_why_america_needs_a_moment_of_clarity_now/>.  This source supported West's idea of the need for black leadership. It explained why West's work has impacted the success of black Americans and why black America should continue using his advice.

Freeman, Hadley. "Miley Cyrus's Twerking Routine Was Cultural Appropriation at Its Worst." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 27 Aug. 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/27/miley-cyrus-twerking-cultural-appropriation>.  This source gave me information on cultural appropriation of black culture like "twerking'. The guardian is reliable source and Hadley Freeman provided a lot of cultural background of the dance.

“GRUTTER V BOLLINGER” The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. 19 November 2014. http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2002/2002_02_241

Higginbotham, F. Michael. "Race-based Affirmative Action Is Still Needed." The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr., 27 Apr. 2104. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/04/27/should-affirmative-action-be-based-on-income/race-based-affirmative-action-is-still-needed>.  This source reaffirms why affirmative action is needed and shows why West's ideas about it are spot on correct.

Kristof, Nicholas. "When Whites Just Don't Get It, Part 4." The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 Nov. 2014. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/opinion/sunday/when-whites-just-dont-get-it-part-4.html?_r=1>.  This source explains how racism and discrimination still persists in America. It also explains how the disparity between black and white Americans still exists.

Montopoli, Brian. "What Has Obama Meant For Black America?" CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 28 Apr. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-has-obama-meant-for-black-america/>.  Montopoli did a good job with interviewing black Americans and gathering information about how Obama effected the black community and whether or not he was inspirational.

West, Cornel. "Introduction." Race Matters. Boston: Beacon, 1993. Print. West is the philosopher on race in America, specifically black Americans.