Cornel West, an author and scholar whose books have explored race relations in the United States, will visit Elon University for a speech at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13 in McCrary Theatre on campus.
West is Class of 1943 University Professor of Religion at Princeton University. He has written extensively about the racial debate in America, including his latest book, “The Cornel West Reader,” where he confronts the “monumental eclipse of hope and the unprecedented collapse of meaning” in American race relations.
He has also written the best-selling “Race Matters,” “Jews and Blacks: Let the Healing Begin,” and “Restoring Hope,” a compilation of interviews with leading African Americans about hope and despair in the black community. West says racial division fosters poverty, paranoia, despair and distrust that undermine the democratic process.
At an early age, West began protesting the status of African Americans by refusing to salute the flag. He was also influenced by the stories of black parishioners in the Baptist church, two generations removed from slavery, who spoke of their religious faith during the most trying times of slavery. West’s interest in the commitment of the Black Panthers also influenced him to advocate for community based political action.
West has taught at Yale University, Union Theological Seminary, Harvard University and Princeton. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard, and a master’s degree and doctorate from Princeton.
West’s appearance at Elon is sponsored by the Liberal Arts Forum. Tickets for the event are $10 or free with valid Elon identification. Tickets may be purchased by calling the McCrary Theatre box office at (336) 278-5610. The box office is open from 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
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