Students, faculty, staff and citizens of Baton Rouge and surrounding areas gathered in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union on Southern University’s campus at 6pm to hear Dr. Cornel West speak as a part of the 2009 – 2010 Chancellor’s Lecture Series.
Cedric Ware, the executive assistant for the Southern University Men’s Federation welcomed everyone the event. He also gave an overview of the Chancellor’s Lecture Series. “The series are funded by the Title III grant which is used to educational enhancement,” Ware said. He also made note that the Chancellor’s Lecture Series is one of the many opportunities Southern University has to offer and encouraged everyone to take part in the exciting experience.
Nicholas Berry, the activities coordinator for the Southern University’s Men’s Federation gave the purpose. He reminded everyone of the rich history and culture at Southern University. “It is our responsibility to prepare current and future generations for leadership roles,” Berry said.
After the welcome and purpose, members of the 2009 – 2010 Dancing Dolls did an interpretive dance. “This is a chance to see that we are not limited to what you see on Saturday night,” a member of the Dolls said.
Brian Collins, president of the Southern University Men’s Federation, introduced Dr. Cornel West.
Before addressing the audience, Dr. West thanked Chancellor Kofi Lomotey for inviting him. West took time out of his book tour featuring his most recent book, “Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, a Memoir.” West then told the audience of his ties to Louisiana, as his parents and grandparents hail from Crowley and Alexandria. When speaking on the importance of family, he reminded the audience that we must look into yourself and say who you really are. “I am my mama’s child and my daddy’s kid,” said West. Not many people knew that Dr. West was kicked out of school in third grade. He refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. “My uncle was lynched and then wrapped in the flag,” West recalls. West credits the power of love in the West family. “They provided a positive outlook for the rage instilled in me.”
At the age of 10, West heard the great Martin Luther King, Jr. speak. He compared it to going see Curtis Mayfield perform. “I could tell he was “for real,'” West said of Dr. King. “I could tell they felt that was something was bigger than their ego.”
West spoke of Jim Crow laws and their negative effects on the African- American community. “Jim Crow laws are a form of American terrorism,” West said. “This made Black people feel less beautiful and intelligent and eventually we disrespected ourselves.”
Throughout his lecture, West spoke of paideia. Paideia is Greek for education and instruction. “Students go to school and are still not educated,” West said. He also called for soul transformation. “Students need to look beyond the words in the book and understand the true philosophy behind them.”
Dr. West challenged each generation to “Lift Every Voice.” “People need to find their own voice and not be an echo and be original,” West said. He related this back to modern music and how some artists’ are copying from the greats such as Duke Ellington and Nina Simone.
West also spoke on the rise of greed in the United States since the presidency of Ronald Reagan, even in churches. “In some churches, you see an ATM before you see a cross,” West said. He also mentioned how the election of Barack Obama has ended the era of Ronald Reagan. “The era of Barack Obama has brought on empowerment of the everyday and ordinary person.”
Lastly, West talked about the national healthcare plan proposed by President Obama. “This should not even be negotiable, since it is a public option. The pharmacists and insurance companies would actually benefit from the plan,” West said. He also noted the hypocrisy of the Reagan era. “They want individuals to help themselves but they are not offered the means, due to the “rich get richer” mindset that the United States government runs by. This makes welfare seemed frowned upon,” West said.
call for action, West does not want students to get wrapped into protesting, that they forget about school.”
The podcast of Dr. Cornel West’s lecture will be available on www.southerndigest.com.
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West challenges audience in lecture
October 22, 2009
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