General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Cornel West on the President [View all]1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I think it's worth doing so, again.
I was at a "Meet and Greet" reception/Book Signing after one of Dr. West's talks.
I have had great respect for Dr. West, back in the 1980-1990s when he actually doing research and publishing ... I'm not big on folks talking about what others should be doing.
Well, Dr. West was holding court, regaling folks with how important the study of Black folks in America is. Well, I asked him:
"Dr. West. When someone seeks the definitive world on Mormons, whether the religion or the people, they can find it at Brigham Young, a Mormon institution; when someone seeks the definitive world on Catholics, whether the religion or the people, they can find it at Notre Dame, a Catholic institution; when someone seeks the definitive world on Jewish people or the religion, they can find it at the Yesheva (?), a Jewish institution ... so why is it when someone seeks the definitive world on Black folks, they have to go to Princeton, or Harvard, rather than Prairie View or Howard?"
Let me just say, Dr. West can have very expressive eyes.