West talks about race relations

Swarmed by students who asked for an autograph or wanted to voice their admiration, acclaimed scholar Cornel West began his speech on campus almost 20 minutes late so he would not have to turn anyone away. Kicking off the United Minorities Council's Unity Week, the Harvard Religion and Afro-American Studies professor spoke to more than 400 people last night at the International House. Connaissance also sponsored the event. West's most recent book, Race Matters, gained national attention, reaching The New York Times Best Seller list. Publishing four books next year, West's most controversial text addresses black/Jewish relations. Commenting on the Republican sweep in last week's elections, West warned the audience that the country is "going into a deep freeze." West recounted how white supremacists have historically silenced people who fight for civil rights and degraded black people to exploit them. "But then again, what would one expect?" West said. "What do you think British intellectuals said about Irish intellectual ability in the 18th and 19th century and even today? Don't hold your breath. "What do you think medieval Christian theologians said about Jewish moral character, given the wave of anti-Semitism? Don't hold your breath," West added, ending his sentence in a raspy whisper. White men, West said, have used such discrimination to shape modern society. As a result, society perceives black people as a "problem people instead of a people with problems." Black people's individual needs are not considered, he added. "Their own diversity is rendered invisible," West said, remaining still while his eyes quickly darted back and forth. "Mere objects and abstractions, not persons." The political system, according to West, does not offer much hope for improvement. In last week's elections, Americans could only choose between "anemic spineless liberals" who bombarded the public with ineffective programs and "mean spirited" conservatives who deem black Americans' problems insoluble. The country's problems, West said, largely stem from its economic situation. "The decline of democracy has much to do with the increase in poverty that produces an escalating sense of despair," West said, emphasizing his last word. "An increase in paranoia produces escalating levels of distrust. "It makes it difficult for us even to communicate with each other, let alone to deal with racism and coalition," he added. West attributed the decay of social relations to the country's obsession with material gain -- what he calls a market culture. "This market culture makes it very very difficult for non-market values to take hold. There's not a lot of discourse about love anymore," he said. "Market forces make it difficult for young people to feel that they have access to love and affection." Later in his speech, West centered on the country's lack of support for children and the erosion of the family. These factors, he said, lead to pessimism, fatalism and cynicism. West said that if Americans want to improve the country's condition they must feel confident that what they do personally and as a community can make a difference. Citizens representing every class level and race should help lead the country and people must be willing to discuss their differences, West added. After a standing ovation, West conducted a question and answer session.