Get to Know the Impact of Philosopher and Activist Cornel West
American Philosopher, Activist and Scholar of Justice, Cornel West is one of the figures who has made a positive impact on the black community.
Through West’s commitment to equality and fight for Justice, he edged his name in history with his work as a civil rights activist and is the first black man with a PhD to graduate from Princeton in philosophy.
Cornel West has also been involved in American politics and was an independent candidate in the 2024 U.S. elections with the ‘Justice For All’ Party.
West’s vast experience and commitment to democracy have seen him feature in some Hollywood films such as “The Matrix Reloaded” and The Matrix Revolutions.
West has also appeared in many spoken word and hip-hop albums, aimed at inspiring black people.
Two of Cornel West’s most impactful books are “Race Matters” from 1993 and “Democracy Matters” from 2004.
In West’s illustrious career, he was a professor at top educational institutions such as Harvard University, Union Theological Seminary and Yale University.
Early Days of Education and Career
In Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 2, 1953, Cornel West was born. However, he mainly grew up in Sacramento, California, and graduated from John F Kennedy High School.
West’s parents were Irene Rayshell and Clifton Louisa. His mother was a school principal while his dad worked in the U.S. Department of Defense.
West’s grandfather Clinton L. West was the pastor of Tulsa Metropolitan Baptist Church and instilled values in him, ensuring that he was embedded with the right training.
As early as his teenage days, West was filled with a passion for equality and often joined in on civil rights demonstrations and protests that were organized by the Black student communities demanding Black study courses.
Cornel West graduated from High school in 1970 and enrolled at Harvard University. He completed Harvard in 1973 and revealed that institution provided him with ‘broad ideas’ influenced by professors and the Black Panther Party.
West however later revealed that being a Christian prevented him from joining the party and chose to work in local breakfast, prisons and church programs.
West enrolled at Princeton University for his master’s and PhD degrees in 1980 after he graduated from Harvard and became the first black man to graduate from the University with a PhD degree in Philosophy.
Years later, West got a series of academic appointments and returned to Harvard.
He later became an assistant professor at Union Theological Seminary and also taught
American studies at Yale.
Cornel West was once arrested and jailed after he joined a protest for a clerical labor union and divestment from apartheid in South Africa.
Time in Broadcasting and Film
In the 2001 and 2003 films ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ and ‘The Matrix Revolutions’, Cornel West featured as one of the characters and was also a voice in the ‘Enter the Matrix’.
The American philosopher and activist also appeared in some documentaries. West featured in academics, and touched on philosophy in the context of the real world.
He also often had conversations on the political talk show ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’, and reports indicate that a character represented West’s career in the ‘Law and Order: Criminal Intent’ episode.
West was also a guest star in the sixth season of the American television comedy series ‘30 Rock, What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year’ in 2012.
Cornel West is also known for his hip-hop spoken word albums that touch the soul.
West’s Role in Activism and Politics
Cornel West once labelled the United States as a ‘racist patriarchal’ country where everyday life is defined by white supremacy.
He always had the passion to speak out for the rights of black people around the world, emphasizing the power of seeing their worth.
In 2014 on October 13, West was arrested when he was protesting against the shooting of Michael Brown and engaging in Ferguson October.
He was arrested again in 2015 on August 10 when he staged the demonstration outside the courthouse on the one year anniversary of Brown’s death in St Louis.
In Politics, Cornel West is a “non-Marxist socialist”, which is one who does not see Marxism and Christianity as compatible.
In 2000, West worked as senior advisor to Bill Bradley – the Democratic presidential candidate and later became distinguished supporter of Green Party Candidate Ralph Nader.
He also made ‘anti-George Bush’ campaigns in the past and was heavily remembered for his civil disobedience act when he sat in the street in front of the U.S. State Department in unity with our suffering Palestinian and Israeli brothers and sisters.
Cornel West also co-chaired the National Parenting Organization’s Task Force on Parent Empowerment and joined in on Bill Clinton’s National Convention.
West expressed his thoughts on the global issue of modernized slavery and human trafficking in the ‘Call + Response’ documentary and campaigned for Democracy and Peace in 2008.
In the 2010s, he joined in on the Occupy D.C. protests on the steps of the Supreme Court in its decision in the Citizens United v Federal Election Commission and joined in on other protests for equality.
West has also previously supported Democratic contender Bernie Sanders and supported former U.S. President Barack Obama’s cause to reaching the White House in 2007.
However, he later retracted his support for Obama in 2011 and labelled the former president as “the head of an American killing machine.”
In 2023 on June 5, West announced his intention to run in the 2024 presidential election under the People’s Party.
Later on, he announced a change in decision to rather run with the Green Party but also abandoned his candidacy and continued his bid as an independent candidate.
Reports indicate that West received some support from Republican allies to swing votes off Kamala Harris yet the activist did not give in to those requests.
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Cornel West’s impact across decades is there for the Black community to witness, and many others will be aiming to tread a similar path in changing lives through activism, politics, religion and academia.
