It is not every day that the truth is spoken out in public with unrelenting boldness and intent to provoke and inspire. It is not ordinary to witness a gathering of over a thousand people from different national, racial and economic backgrounds seated under one roof and listening to one man with whom each feel connected to. This was the scene that played out in Smith College's John M. Greene hall last Thursday evening when Dr. Cornel West, a distinguished professor, author and democratic intellectual, addressed the college's community and its visitors. Organized by the Smith College Association of Class Activists, the talk was a tremendous boost in the way towards increasing social justice awareness and movements in the college and other educational institutions. In any case, from where else can one learn about advocating for equality than from a prominent activist?
Dr. West made it clear that his message mostly went out to the younger generation, which is grappling with the realities of social injustice both on a personal level and in its societies. He urged that there be less individualism and, instead, that a renewed commitment for community growth be prioritized. His speech made most impact for people of color who are usually the less heard voices in such forums. The authority with which he explained the impact of historical oppression was uplifting and refreshing. Dr. West exemplified freedom of expression bound in respect. The style of his talk is in some ways a rarity as it is increasingly difficult for minorities to voice their opinion without backlash. Ironically, accusations of "reverse-isms" (reverse racism or sexism) serve to silence already disadvantaged demographics.
While he drew on a variety of sources including literature, philosophy and music, his talk was centered around three questions asked by Pan-Africanist W.E.B. Du Bois: "How shall integrity face oppression? What shall honesty do in the face of deception?" and "decency in the face of insult?" Through these compelling questions, Dr. West took the audience on a time-travel journey, describing the resilience of the African-American community through 400 years of slavery, Jim Crow and, in his own words, the ongoing Jim Crow Junior that continues to marginalize and reinforce oppressive structures.
The speech was, to say the least, a call to action towards a selfless, morally ground pursuit for justice. For inasmuch as the world has progressed from blatant expressions of prejudice, there remains a long way to go in terms of human rights.
