Cornel West: professor turned rapper
Christian Century, Jan 2, 2002 by G. Jeffrey MacDonald
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In his trademark glasses, three-piece suits and French cuff links, Harvard philosophy professor Cornel West doesn't exactly fit the baggy-pants-wearing image of a rap musician. But that hasn't stopped this best-selling author and nationally touring speaker from using rhythm and rhyme to connect with a younger black generation.
Last fall's release of West's first compact disc, Sketches of My Culture, from Artemis Records, marks his furthest departure yet from the norms of academia in a career-long quest to lift the mentality and spirit of black America.
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"He is observing and thinking on a different level that he needs to be able to translate to the streets in order for his writings tohave an impact," said Kwasi Thornell, canon vicar of Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati, where West will give a lecture in April. "A lot of young people don't read anymore, but they do listen to rap music. He knows they're not going to read his books, but they might listen to his CD."
West, 48, has a track record of connecting with minds and hearts far beyond the ivory tower. His 1993 book Race Matters earned a spot on the New York Times bestseller list in the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Now his goal includes reaching those who were just preteens when the nation watched police officers beat a non-resistant Rodney King, preteens who have come of age without "situating ourselves in a story bigger than us."
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