International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest

Extract

Cornel West is a leading advocate for African Americans and the poor in the United States. A leader among the Democratic Socialists of America, he is also a well-known author and university professor with ties to Harvard University, Princeton University, and Union Theological Seminary. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, West spent most of his young life in Sacramento, California. His mother was an elementary school teacher and principal, and his father worked as a general contractor for the Defense Department. At some point during his school years he refused to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance because of the hypocrisy of the phrase “liberty and justice for all” in a nation where many enjoyed neither. Though agreeing with his son's sentiment, Mr. West punished him for disrespecting his teacher. This was the beginning of a long career of speaking out for the disenfranchised. In high school West, who was president of his class, became involved in the civil rights movement, marching in protests and organizing demonstrations. One of his early goals was to convince his school to include black studies in the curriculum. After high school West attended Harvard University. After that he pursued graduate work at Princeton, where he earned his PhD. West began his academic career as W. E. B. DuBois Fellow at Harvard and then became an assistant professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York ... log in or subscribe to read full text