Today at 6 p.m. in Lee Hall, students will have to the opportunity to hear “one of the greatest thinkers of our time” soak up the sea of knowledge that is about to flow from the West …Cornel West. “One of the advantages of a college or university education is that the great thinkers, speakers, explorers and researchers come on to campus and you get to walk a couple of blocks to hear what they have to say,” said Melanie Abrams, a professor in the English department.
Some may recognize Cornel West as author of “Race Matters,” “The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought” or for involvement with Minister Louise Farrakhan or the Rev. Al Sharpton’s 2004 presidential campaign.
You may know him as the senior advisor to the Democratic Candidate Bill Bradley or a prominent member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Currently, West is a professor of Religion at Princeton University.
Some critics have praised his work and activism.
While others, mainly Leon Wieseltier editor of “The New Republic,” have called him an opportunist having “crass showmanship and lack of scholarly seriousness.”
But if one has never heard him speak first hand then one’s opinion has not yet been formed and has the opportunity to soak up the sea of knowledge that is about to flow from the West.
Currently, West is a professor of Religion at Princeton University.
Computer engineering freshman Dustin Delain, says it’s going to be “interesting to hear the message Cornel West has prepared for us.”
When asked if many of his classmates would attend, he said definitely! He said his is entire English class would be attending by choice.
“Cornel West is an inspiration for young, Black intellectuals and he could not have chosen a better place to come and divulge some of his profound knowledge and presence in black history,” said Graduate Student Basil Smith, a fourth-year graduate student from Guyana.
Amanda Wilkerson, 24, a senior political science student from Kissimmee, Fla. is the chairwoman responsible for bringing West to FAMU.
She said that this is an opportunity for students to meet and speak with a well-known intellectual scholar, author, and political activist.
Professor Abrams said that it would behoove everyone to hear one of the most intellectual thinkers of our country speak first hand.
Cornel West’s will be speaking in the Lee Hall at 6 p.m.
Then there will be a meet and greet in the Grand Ballroom following the Q&Aquestion and answer period.