I listened to the words of a modern day philosopher recently and my mind was interrupted, my attention arrested and my spirit felt as though it come in contact with an angel of truth. It was a brief encounter, but an essential one and I am better because of it.
His speech was quickening; eye opening; thought provoking. It upheld recurring themes and personal ideologies of democracy, humanity and love.
He began with a "socratic" notion of how, "the unexamined life is not worth living." Of how we as Americans have to look at our lives, our decisions, our morals and our character. He spoke of, "the quality of one's soul." How integrity, compassion, "surrendering assumptions," and "dying daily," were critical to the fundamental development of character. He talked about not being afraid of death; that to lose the fear of dying, was to emancipate one's own soul.
He referenced Ralph Waldo Emerson (personal favorite), advising and supporting the notion that, "imitation is suicide." He said that every person should search, find and use his/her own voice. He talked about jazz and the complexity of its composition, naming John Coltrane and reaffirmed the ideal that "love is supreme" above all else.
He talked about America and how its society is becoming, "well adjusted to injustice."
About the historical tradition of "terrorism and American terrorism against peoples of African descent." How terrorism's roots began with the onslaught of lynchings and brutal killings of those upon whom the foundation of America, was built.
He expressed perspective of democracy. He said democracy was the advent of, "ordinary people fighting for power from elite corruption and subjugation." He spoke of economic incongruencies asserting that, '1% of American society lives with 49% of the wealth.' Highlighting the fact that 99% lives with only 51%. He emphasized the validity of 'critical interrogations' of the dogma of white supremacy. He said that we must have the courage to "think critically; always cutting against the grain."
The values expressed in his speech were timeless. They are essential truths to understanding life and humanity, culture and the plight of the human existence. We must continuously strive to not only produce fact, but realize truth. As we all toil to understand who we are and fight to reach our fullest potentials, we must also arduously endeavor to uphold the integrity of democracy and the righteous virtue of charity and humanity, always allowing love to reign supreme.
The quotations refereenced were from a speech given by Dr. Cornel West (scholar, philosopher, and theologian), professor of African-American Studies and philosophy of Religion at Harvard University.
His speech was quickening; eye opening; thought provoking. It upheld recurring themes and personal ideologies of democracy, humanity and love.
He began with a "socratic" notion of how, "the unexamined life is not worth living." Of how we as Americans have to look at our lives, our decisions, our morals and our character. He spoke of, "the quality of one's soul." How integrity, compassion, "surrendering assumptions," and "dying daily," were critical to the fundamental development of character. He talked about not being afraid of death; that to lose the fear of dying, was to emancipate one's own soul.
He referenced Ralph Waldo Emerson (personal favorite), advising and supporting the notion that, "imitation is suicide." He said that every person should search, find and use his/her own voice. He talked about jazz and the complexity of its composition, naming John Coltrane and reaffirmed the ideal that "love is supreme" above all else.
He talked about America and how its society is becoming, "well adjusted to injustice."
About the historical tradition of "terrorism and American terrorism against peoples of African descent." How terrorism's roots began with the onslaught of lynchings and brutal killings of those upon whom the foundation of America, was built.
He expressed perspective of democracy. He said democracy was the advent of, "ordinary people fighting for power from elite corruption and subjugation." He spoke of economic incongruencies asserting that, '1% of American society lives with 49% of the wealth.' Highlighting the fact that 99% lives with only 51%. He emphasized the validity of 'critical interrogations' of the dogma of white supremacy. He said that we must have the courage to "think critically; always cutting against the grain."
The values expressed in his speech were timeless. They are essential truths to understanding life and humanity, culture and the plight of the human existence. We must continuously strive to not only produce fact, but realize truth. As we all toil to understand who we are and fight to reach our fullest potentials, we must also arduously endeavor to uphold the integrity of democracy and the righteous virtue of charity and humanity, always allowing love to reign supreme.
The quotations refereenced were from a speech given by Dr. Cornel West (scholar, philosopher, and theologian), professor of African-American Studies and philosophy of Religion at Harvard University.
c.m.
