Rating: 
Summary: A Marxist laboratory no more
Review: Speaking as a 28 year-old black man from the inner-city (Cleveland, Ohio), I have first hand knowledge of how inner-ciry black Americans live unbeknownst to most in a Marxist laboratory.Cornel West, an eccentric in dire need of a haircut and a shave, demonstrates the mindset that produces the Marxist laboratory that I am talking about. It goes back to the original sellout, W.E.B. DuBois, and his Talented Tenth mantra. From Julian Bond to Jesse Jackson to Kwesi Mfume, our unappointed, unelected "leaders" (presumably from the Talented Tenth mold), speak out on behalf of all black Americans, whether or not they actually have our consent. Without rambling, as West does in this sleepy, unintelligible diatribe, West embodies that which Jackson and Bond and Mfume are: Racial shakedown engineers in constant pursuit of the elusive racism that oppresses black people. To wit, and to keep their alleged prestige and power, America's ridiculous left-wing have nowhere to turn for their socialist dreams than to practice on black Americans. While many African immigrants travel to this nation to partake in the capitalist wonder of our economy, we indiginous blacks fail to take full advantage of the priviledge of our birthright: to be born in a nation such as this, even with its history against us. But notice how West and his ilk don't fail to take advantage. West makes well above six-figures per year, as does Jackson and Mfume, and even Al Sharpton. This begs the question of what are they producing to secure their wealth. The answer is known, and is clear by simple logic. It is far easier to use guilt against whites as a means to achieve wealth than it is to actually make it on your own. These leeches must be skewered. This book does not merit an appropriate response because it fails to offer a meaningful argument. Not one exists in this book. West is indeed a Communist, as his hero W.E.B. DuBois became and died as such. And he probably harbors dreams of a socialist (communist) revolution here in America and even worldwide. But I have news for him. There will indeed be a revolution. Just not the one he dreams of. Does race matter? Yes, if you are in need of it as the raw material of your so-called career.
Rating: 
Summary: Stimulating though incomplete
Review: In "Race Matters" West is concerned solely with with the current state of black America. Curiously - perhaps to a fault - missing from the picture is a discussion of pervasive economic poverty thet plagues black America, a staple of most race discussions. Instead he dwells on the psychic state of a victimized people. Thus the book is more psychological than sociological and his proposed remedies dwell on forging new attitudes rather than on drawing strategies from social statistics. This is primarily the work of a moralizer. Moralizing is not necessarily a fault in the book. His aim here appears more topical than long-term, suggesting that attitudes must change before movements start. As he sees it, the main obstacle facing black action lies in a widespread emergence of nihilism across the black multitudes. Hence the question is how to overcome the kind of value-negation that prevents real constructive action. His antidote focuses on love and care - two seeming throwbacks to 19th century romanticism and perhaps dismissable on that basis. Nevertheless, considering the crux of the problem as he describes it, the recommended solution has genuine merit. How else can people demand justice unless they feel worthy of it. That West would operate on a moral level rather than a sociological one is not surprising. His attachment to M. L. King and the prophetic tradition remains uppermost despite the high regard displayed elsewhere for Marx's work, among others. However, when he calls for more coalition work among progressives - a worthy goal - his overtures show little potential for reaching beyond the preachment stage, largely because he dwells on race to the apparent exclusion of class. Yet taking on the propagators of negative and nihilistic stereotypes in the media means taking on the class forces that denigrate not only blacks, but denigrate labor, gays, and other groups as well. Putting muscle into cultural reform means joining with other despised groups in challenging the owners and propagators of the negative imagery. In short, overturning cultural barriers requires both social analysis and class action. I think West appreciates this materialist point of view, but his Christian heritage and prophetic vision threaten to restrict his work to the confines of liberal politics, the very brand of politics responsible in large part for the current predicament. Much else of value remains in the book. His discussion of Malcolm X is quite insightful and consistent with West's humane outlook. The lie is given to those widely disseminated black conservatives who mouth conservative platitudes yet make no inroads into black popular thinking. On a more panoramic level, West juxtaposes liberal platitudes about race and remedies with their conservative counterparts, arguing that both are seriously deficient. Seemingly what he aims at here is a kind of sublative synthesis of the two schools. It's not clear however what sort of politics is projected by the synthesis. In fact, after a number of West's socially informed writings, I'm still not very sure of his political prescriptions. There is something maddening about a continuing buildup without a specific pay-off. Nevertheless, this remains an important book from an important thinker.
Rating: 
Summary: I'll be lenient on this unrepentant Marxist author
Review: For any of you who have read other works of Cornel West, you'll see clearly that he's basically a Communist. He sees nothing wrong with an ideology that has claimed 80-100 million innocent lives since October 1917. Why do I give this book three stars? Because West's ultraleftist views actually appear somewhat moderate. He did a good job hiding his brand of Marxism. First things first. Mr. West subscribes to the theory that white racism is still the principal reason blacks haven't "made it" in America. He does admit that other factors are involved, but does everything he can to avoid the question: maybe blacks are partly to blame for their own problems? Although it's not very clear in this book, West absolutely despises the capitalist system that made America great. He is, as I said, a Communist. For all his descriptions of "nihilism in black America", he is still an ally of the Socialists who seek a purely economic solution to black problems in America. I wonder why he bothered to criticize the "liberal structuralists" at all. But then again, his criticism of liberals is not real criticism. He basically thinks that liberals aren't doing enough, that massive welfare-state spending is necessary but not adequate. In other words, he thinks that there's nothing wrong with keeping blacks dependent on the increasingly expansive and corrupt Federal Government. Going back to West's hatred of capitalist free markets. This is exactly why he cannot stand the black middle class and the black conservatives. For West is merely a Marxist who incorporates the struggle of black against white into the struggle of proletarian against bourgeois. He is a radical who has openly praised the likes of Al Sharpton and Malcolm X. What West wants is continued redistributive measures for blacks (welfare checks, etc.) to level the playing field - at the price of destroying the free-market machinery that allowed America to become what it is today. He totally ignores the arguments of more than a few sensible writers on race relations, black and white alike. West misconstrues the arguments of the "new black conservatism" in a vain attempt to deflect attention from an obvious observation: blacks cannot be exempt from personal responsibility and accountability. True, West says that we must condemn black crime and the like. However, he also tells us that we must remember the circumstances under which blacks live. Excuse me Mr. West, but one of my mother's best friends was shot dead one night by a black man in Times Square merely because they exchanged a few insults - there was no money involved. Given this experience, can you expect my mother to believe your implication that the murderer should not be held accountable for his action? West is one of the many notables in today's society who like to make personal accountability (a cornerstone of all great nations) a thing of the past. When blacks commit crimes (which they do in disproportionate numbers), they're called victims of a racist system. Does that remind you of excuses being made for numerous killers on the grounds that they're mentally unstable? Or better yet, does that remind you of how liberals keep telling you that "guns kill people" instead of "people kill people"? What ever happened to personal accountability? In the old days, personal accountability was in the extreme: if you killed a person even accidentally, you were liable to lose your own head. It didn't matter whether you intended it or not; the only thing that mattered was that you DID it. In 21st century America on the other hand, things have changed such that even when a perfectly sane person commits a premeditated crime, his defense lawyers can still cook up excuses. Cornel West criticizes black conservatives for grumbling about how blacks are responsible for their own non-advancement. True, not everyone who is poor deserves to be poor, but West cannot entertain the thought that more than a few blacks lack wealth because they haven't earned it. And conservative arguments go far beyond economics of course. West acknowledges the breakdown of the Protestant ethic in black America but cites this as a RESULT and not a CAUSE of black problems. But hey, it's one thing to be poor, but it's another thing to fail to keep families together and build strong family ties. Nearly 70% of black children today are born out of wedlock. Are the effects of "nihilism" indeed that great? Blacks aren't the only poor people in America. There are poor Asian families that have a remarkable ability to hold together. It's no secret that even among others of similar economic status, blacks have weaker family values. Cornel West hints in "Race Matters" that he is providing a balanced, middle-of-the-road discussion of black problems. However, he really isn't. "Race Matters" shows us that West is clearly on the liberal side of the argument, as he's always been. His essays are an extended attack on capitalism and the American elites - be it the white political/economic power structure or the black middle-class leadership. He completely shuns the thought that the problem might, after all, lie with unsuccessful blacks themselves.
Rating:
Summary: A polysyllabic vocabulary does not a philosopher make.
Review: West completely and conspicuously evades the obvious fact that American Indians - who on average are considerably more impoverished and isolated from mainstream US culture - achieve higher test scores than blacks. He lauds the virtues of 'cultural diversity', but neglects the sad state of affairs in 'culturally diverse' areas of the United States. West pontificates to the reader about 'racism' (a word he has yet to palpably define) in a prose style that's about as smooth as Egyptian whisky. Plato, Descartes, Kant, Russell, Sartre, Rorty and now West? Not really.
Rating:
Summary: Race Matters by Cornel West
Review: Despite the book's age (published first in 1994), Cornel West provides a contemporary assessment of race relations in the United States, which is pertinent to race relations elsewhere in countries where black and white intersect. He does not propose easy, narrow or chauvenist black nationalist solutions to issues such as black people's place in politics, the economy or society, but suggest progressive solutions to a problem that plaques us at the beginning of the 21st century. It is an easy, accessible read on a complex issue.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, critical analysis of American society
Review: This is an excellent critique of the current problems which exist in American culture as a whole and the black community specifically. Cornel West articulates his argument in a very concise and intellectually engaging way. This book is critical of both the right and the left, and I highly recommend it to both, the unique perspective and intelligent analysis of Cornel West are truly superb.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for "liberals" and "conservatives" alike.
Review: This is an excellent and concise analysis of many of the issues and problems facing the black community, and I would argue American society at large, today. Cornel West lays out his arguments in a very persuasive and intellectually stimulating way. After reading this book, I believe I have an answer to one question posed by Professor West, he asks: where are all the great black intellectuals of today, I would respond that I know of one of them and his name is Cornel West.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: first of all anyone that agrees with d'souza's racist book has got big time hang ups period.this book is well written.the folks hating on this book probably can't understand what he is saying.so they are trying to discredit his knowledge.but when it comes to race in america most folks are brain dead.great book to understand society at large.
Rating:
Summary: Harvard produced this!
Review: Logic-chopping aside, this book leaves the impression that Cornel West loves himself as much as he hates America. And he really loves himself.
Rating:
Summary: No arguments here
Review: There is no logic, argumentation in this book, but only some feelings, complaints, and some ramblings on black culture. It may be have some value for those interested in blackism and black rights activism, but not as a serious book on the study of race and racial differences, it is simply worthless. I find it worthless. Especially when compared with other book of the issue of race: Darwin's The Descent of Man; Levin's Why Race Matters; Rushton's Race, EVolution and Behaviour; Duke's My Awakening... To name just a few of the scientific books that have been written on the subject.
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