Listening to this man is a humanizing experience.

This man ( I am a white man and old) inspires me everytime I hear him... just always on point

Excellent! Met Dr. West in Cambridge, MA while working on my masters degree. A profound thinker who makes us think! Wow! 21 years have passed and we have so much more to do!

Prof West is a walking archive of knowledge and wisdom. You always know with him that you will get the KNOWLEDGE as he knows it - he never tries to bend or twist anything to suit anyone - not even himself.

Profound profound profound. I love that when I listen to Dr West I learn facts, but more importantly I learn connections. Dr West draws connections that provide constant new insights, he wakes me up out of the sleep of the day-to-day. Thankyou for how keenly you examine your life & mine, Dr West. Thankyou for visiting me with your fearlessness & waking up the fearlessness & agency in me.

Nah... that wasn't a lecture - that was poetry, a grand symphony, a concert, a work of art.

1:00:00 "We must never confuse charity with justice" I've never heard this put better. Thanks for this video!

I wish I can speak as eloquently and rambunctiously as brother Cornell West.....he's doing his job man. Let's do ours ✌🏾&🖤

Dr. Cornell West is just an amazing and prolific orator and thinker, I love how he easily digs into and states the issues of complex matters so plainly and easily.

Dr. West, Definition of an intellectual. Preach to the end!! AMEN

One hell of a lecture!!!! No one textbook can teach this.

I could listen to him talk for hours on end. He is more relevant today than ever before. Live long and prosper, Dr. West.

A powerful challenge, for EACH of us to sacrifice our personal security and privilege to challenge the INJUSTICES that are supported by our comfort and complacency. Dr. West has intellect and eloquence that are unequaled and he brandishes these weapons with potent empathy and LOVE! Absolutely a message for TODAY!

Unbelievable...Dr. West is simply amazing and an oratorical genius! I 💜 him!!!!!!!! I can’t believe this was 19 years ago!

Very intelligent man, to make a speech like this without notes, joke be original and still be logical, truly a orator in the truest sense of the word.

Dr. West is marvelous in his teachings to help us all.🙏🏾✨🦋✝️

This man is a treasure of our time.

Eight years later and still an Outstanding intellectual lecture by Dr. Cornell West! Bravo sir.

Who's watching this in 2020 and thinking about the protests and riots happening right now?

I had the great opportunity to meet this brother/man/poet & activist for change of all systems through ethics, morality & individual righteousness. My failure was not engaging him fully due to doubt. There is no more doubt, this brother is 200 percent!

Dam everything is relivent in 2020

Dr.Cornel West is ahead of his time. He's given us the intellect of how we as African Americans must see ourselves in America. How we must eliminate the negative perceptions of ourselves and must elevated ourselves to a higher spirituality of oneself. Dr.Cornell West is on point!!! People please listen to the inner voice of God that's in you. Thank you Dr.Cornel West for the insight of your wisdom. God bless you brother. Love to all.

Love this gentleman He speaks nothing but the raw truth.He reminds me of myself.Of course i am not as educated as he is and neither am i an eloquent speaker but non the less i will speak out against any injustices without any fear.

When I lived in New Hampshire & Massachusetts for 5 years, 1993 thru 98, I knew Dr. Cornell West was near & I heard very positive comments about him, but I had no idea I was missing this intellectual fervor for Truth & democracy. I'm so happy to have heard his philosophy & interpretations of our nation's history. Thanks for all you've done Dr. West, especially your passion for education & justice.

I'm from Brazil, and I have one fuckying question for USA people: Why don't you give him your vote?

Dr. Western is right, the self analysis is vital if we want a better society. Not just that, but also the sincerity of recognizing the areas we don't like and the power of beginning a process of promoting change.

This lecture is still relevant now in 2021 as it was in 2001. Dr Cornel West is one of the most brilliant philosophers of our time.

If you listen carefully, this man is in the middle of Malcolm X and MLK. Powerful Knowledge. 2020

One of the greatest minds of the 20th & 21st century. I feel smarter everytime I listen to Dr. West!!!!

one of my favorite modern intellectuals. what an awesome speaker.

I love Dr. West-I love his beautiful soul-mind and spirit. Unfortunately this audience does not seem to perceive that they are listening to a modern day prophet that is trying to help them understand the Horrors of Racism, Hate, Indifferance. They seem as though they would rather be entertained, laugh and forgo listening to someone who wants them to talk to them about going deep inside themselves, really deep inside to see if there is some way we can decide to change, grow and reflect on ways in which we can transform ourselves and evolve into something positive, beautiful and lovely. These folks are not interested in hearing this powerful prophet. They could care less.

Being from the south and seeing the remanence of the damages from our treatment toward Black America race still matters. Personally I readily bear the burden of reproach of the generation before me. While one cannot undo or be responsible for the many generations before one should and can be accountable for their on recent history.For every unkind word that is uttered out of white america it keeps relations in a pre 1950s era. I feel compelled to challenge this generation to embrace the similarities and humility of all people. Cornel West's speech ( Race Matters ) is as timely as any on race ever given. As the song goes (Memories) " What's to painful to remember we simply choose to forget"

Extra Relevant now! It’s been, but like Dr. West said this country never wants to deal with it. Can’t be lazy hopefully it’s not too late. I Love my Brother Dr. West Thank you.

DEEP Doctor WEST Thank You Sir

Wisdom for your soul. Go head on Dr. Cornel West. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💯

I listened Professor Cornel with joy and respect. He is giving to all of us a higher level of Teaching. As a Latino I think we have to support and unite with our black brothers. Unity is Power! ✊🏼

Black people has to make there in race matter by supporting and loving each other.

I’m learning so much. And I want to listen to this again and again. I knew some but yes more understanding is coming and more clarity. Let’s go!

So powerful

Wow ! That was very thoughtful & deep with no notes...So much to do with whats taking place in 2020 with all this racial tension and division ! Thank U Dr West , GOD Bless U !!

I saw him give this same speech at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut to a packed house. I took the day off work and it was well worth it. Please get a copy of this book and do as I do and carry it around for reference.

It is discouraging to hear this now and feel that it still is relevant.

Interesting talk. I think he's definitely right about people needing to tackle issues instead of side-stepping them and growing complacent. We need empathy and understanding above all things right now. We have to listen to how people feel, not tell them how they're supposed to feel.

What a brilliant African/American son! He speaks the Truth and is not afraid to do so! We need to open our hearts and mind to his message on 'Race Matters.' Unless and until we face the facts of our past and present relationship with racism in our country, we will continue to delay the greatness that this country can achieve.

If I could only hear James Baldwin and Mr. West have a discussion on Race matters currently.

As Thomas Sowell said when you tell the truth you serve others, when you lie, you serve yourself.

Powerfully educational and effective, no more business as usual.

"This is not cheap PC chit-chat: we are talking about historical challenges..."

Talk about being an original.

And he came off the dome? If so, he is more of a genius than people realize.

Brilliant man.

Gosh I learn so much listening to him, it goes along with reading the book..love it.

This Great Soul's every word is captivating and educational with such power. I listened wholly TWICE after just hearing the last 2 minutes of this video. God bless this great Man

If we could all learn from the question asked by the young man @ around 1:14 :12 and listen and take action on the answer given, is attending to the reality and take the first steps in responsibility 👌🏾

"He or she who has never despaired has never lived." This was part of the closing thoughts of Dr. West's speech delivered in April of 2001. Now, nineteen years and two months later, the nation, as a collective whole, seems to be experiencing the meaning of this phrase...

What's the books title thts mentioned in 1:14:00 ?

The foundation of Dr. Wests' truth is that he truly loves and respects everyone...and that is sadly overlooked.

I love hearing Dr West speak. He is indeed disconcerting and we need to be disconcerted if we want to move ahead. Every point he touched on then has been brought to bear in American society today.

I'm astonished by his delivery as well as his content, truly a golden tongue.

Brilliant,...a true truth teller, eloquence speaking from the heart. A true Genius in every sense of the conceptual definition.

One of the best lectures I've seen. Protect Dr. West!

I WAS A REP FOR NAACP AT HARVARD RACE FORUM IN LATE 90s. I met spoke with and appreciated his eloquent compliments from a place in the soul....Truth!!

very wise man definitely a legend in his own time. by the way song by Rance Allen reason

Oooo, what a treat! So glad Dr. West is in the world! His wisdom, insight, and bravery give me "hope"!

He’s going toward the love, the universal glue that binds our society together harmoniously regardless of our individual ideologies. All things work toward the benefit of the elect Love is the only behavior attitude and posture we universally accept from each other. Bro is so brilliant and on fire with love

We are now blessed to have him here in NY.

"You don't stab a man in the back 9 inches and pull it out 6 inches and celebrate 'progress'". Absolutely!! The knife is Still in his back! He still feels the Pain!

First time listening to cornel west!

Thank you Dr. West

It bothers me that people don't know how to read him and are laughing when he's being quite serious.

i have this book. it's amazing.

What can I say. So prophetic.

Interesting argument start off slow yet great lecture

Wow he's amazing speaker think of any word in the dictionary to describe the joy. 4am on a Sunday. I woke up to him and could not go back to sleep and watch the whole poet to life . made me sad to think that why are children not able to attain the beautiful brilliant mind that you have since 😇 I realized some of us are not able to have a mind to even pick up a book to read I pray that my heavenly father blesses you to keep on spreading the word and to uplift the community of all races have a blessed life. 🙏

I feel blessed to have listened to his lectures....❤️🎈

Wonderful and insightful.

Bless Love Family 💖 🤲🕊️ Much Thanks Dr West your intelligence and philosophy has always been dynamic,I have always admired & appreciated the words and speaking style 🤲🗽🕯️ BMIGHTY Dear Brother 💯

Wow! I love this Down to Earth Professor. I am Very Proud of this Gentleman. Professor West is Anointed by the Only Mighty Lord God. He is not Racist or display Bigotry towards the color of our skin. I always 🙏 🤲 Prayed for Dr Professor West happiness. I prayed someone would love and understand his Ministry from God. My God! I am Proud.

This is a lecture and a sermon. It is pure poetry. It is operatic. Dr Cornel West does not speak as much as he sings. His speech has musical cadence, phrasing, light and shadow. He roars and he whispers. He is enthralling. He demonstrates the difference in tone between regular speech and exalted speech, that English has formal as well as informal, which we have mostly forgotten. The result is that he takes on the cloak of authority, like a prophet. He reminds me what it means to be human.

Yet we rise. Thanks Bolt for remaining disciplined and pushing. It shows us that if we foster the talent within us we will become indomitable. Thanks🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲💯❤️

Will all due respect, if I hear well @32:50, I believe Dr Cornel West missed a historical fact when he said, "never in the history of the modern world had been a shift from slave status to citizen status." No, Haitian revolution in 1804 proved otherwise. Former slaves became citizens and created a nation, the first black republic in the world.

Dr. Cornell West, You are one of my best critical, candid candor, kind of an individual, and critically acclaimed, creating and building critical thinkers to build insatiable appetites shaping a promising future. You are the embodiment of what the intellect paints with specific and special strokes, multi cross sectional, artistic, memorable impressions. Intellectuals, such as yourself, purifies the cloudiness, self sabotaging smoking gun, smothering us with some of the gun smoke wreaking havoc from it's lingering residue. The intellectual awakens the ones who have been in a long deep slumber, missing all missing links connecting to hidden treasures filled with uncovered and much warranted lost untold sagas of past, present, and future to be archives aiding towards starting, creating, building, and maintaining our diverse data base, for our very own home made, home grown, and home harvested niche in the market place, our brand, branded ambassador(s) of our market place. Not being easily shaken up, shaken down, and shaken all around like a rag doll, a ventriloquist, or a wax figure, instead of a decent poignant human being of specialized created genetics, playing the best tunes, pleasing to the deepest of ears to pierce through, making a permanent place, historically stamped in the Library of Congress, resonating from all denominations, destinies, and destinations.

Your speech is not just lovely it is so important so true and well done, thank you.

Sorry. Didn't mean to fail to capitalize West's name.

"Maybe you need some art to free you from the tyrannical rule of reason that you think results in the level of self-mastery and control that allows you to control those deep appetites."

He's the best! A pure poet!

I am sure that I was not the only person to hear and see her disrespectfully laughing during the introduction.. Nonetheless this is an awesome book. Cornel West is an intellectual genius and a great role model. A hero for people like me

Wow 2023 and nothing really has improved but there are more people looking for change so there is hope great lecture!❤

I love him I enjoy his spirit and knowledge in intelligent he's a beautiful brother ...

Thanks for the great teaching opportunity brother and professor West.

I'm glad to see Brother West give a definition of spirituality that doesn't exclude materialist (not in the consumerist sense, in the sense that matter is ultimately the only "stuff" that exists) atheists. The religious community needs to do that more.

Brilliant and insightful keep speaking on it Dr. West

Great presentation

The tree spreading out the branches for leaves .The seasons change ...the roots are secured in the ground.. THANK YOU ..DOCTOR WEST helping to feed the human hunger in life and its time passages of views of Humanity in All that is truly for All.. Thank you

Inspiring and informative. Amazing speaker.

*"America praises intelligence but fears intellect."* ----Cornel West

This guy! What an inspirational figure. He is not only teaching about the flaws and misconceptions that we dont normally question. But he preaches about true values that humans should worship; morals, dignity, and to have a relentless drive to become the best you can be and to shape society after your own standards. That change comes from within ourselves, not from the masproduction of established ideals, which lay the foundation for the progress that can be achieved.

Dr.West has the rare capacity to make the academic appeal to popular potential for growth.

The answer to the 3rd question, IMHO Libertarian Socialism/Anarchist Workers Party EQUITY and Cooperation is peace love and life. Direct action must happen we all need to make time. 7:06 is so rare, yet is the single most prevalent thought in my mind and thoroughly makes this life both an event of universal proportions of beauty, and curiosity, as well slog through a mental swamp of the oblivious, and evil that would and do ostracize those that have Ventured from the cave and our shadow friends. The courage while never commended, and highly osteracized, is worth every scar on my heart, bruise on my mind, the critical thought is worth every abuse, a battle that carries a self strength I would not exchange for anything. Much love to all life.

Amen!!!