Brother West (34 page)

Authors: Cornel West

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BOOK: Brother West

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The noble calling of teaching sometimes invokes the parable of the sower who plants the seeds but dies before seeing his crops. I’ve been blessed, though, to witness a magnificent harvest. So many of my students have succeeded in spectacular fashion. Among hundreds, I cite only a few: the creative and courageous Farah Jasmine Griffin, director of African American Studies and professor of English at Columbia; David Kyuman Kim, the leading philosopher of religion and culture of his generation and one of my dearest friends, who teaches at Connecticut College; Professor Eddie Glaude, Jr., the leading public intellectual of his generation (with whom I co-edited the canonical text
African American Religious Thought: An Anthology
), who is my supportive and visionary boss who serves as the director of the African American Studies program at Princeton; Serene Jones, the first female president of Union Theological Seminary and the pre-eminent reform theologian who taught at Yale for twenty years; Michael Eric Dyson, unadulterated rhetorical genius and University Professor at Georgetown; Professor Dwight McBride, the young visionary dean at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago Circle; Matthew Briones, professor of American Studies at the University of Chicago; Andre Willis, professor of religion at Yale Divinity School; John Bowlin, professor of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary; Reverend Carolyn Knight, professor of preaching at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary; Reverend Mark Taylor of the Church of the Open Door in Brooklyn; Rev. Dr. Sujay Johnson, a renowned figure; Reverend Victor Hall of Calvary Baptist Church in Queens; Reverend Gary Simpson of Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn; Professor Julius Bailey of Central State University; April Garrett, a visionary leader of Civic Frame in Baltimore; Karen Hse, a pioneering human rights activist in China and Cambodia; JoAnne Terrell, Professor of Ethics and Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary; Joy James, professor of humanities, University of Texas at Austin; Salim Washington, a jazz musician and professor of music studies at Brooklyn College; Martha Nadell, a professor of English, also at Brooklyn College; Steve Marshall, political theorist and professor of American Studies at the University of Texas in Austin; Imani Perry, professor of Afro-American Studies, Princeton University; Temitayo Ogunbiyi, superb artist and teacher; Dr. Cynthia Biggs, scholar and renowned songwriter; Bennett Ramsey, professor of religion, University of North Carolina, Greensboro; William Hart, professor of religion, University of North Carolina, Greensboro; Joseph Winters, professor of religion, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Josiah Young, professor of theology, Wesley Theological Seminary; Anthony Cook, professor of law, Georgetown Law School; Professor Jonathan Walton of University of California Riverside; Verna Myers, head of her legal consulting firm; Philip Goff, professor of psychology, University of Michigan; Victor Anderson, Professor of Christian Ethics and Religious Studies, Vanderbilt University; Saidiya Hartman, professor of English, Columbia University; Christopher Tirres, professor of religion at DePaul University; Leora Batnitzky, professor of religion at Princeton; A.G. Miller, professor of religion at Oberlin College, Jim Wetzel, professor of theology at Villanova University; Gabriel Mendes, professor in the Department of Ethnics Studies at University of California, San Diego.

I am also exceedingly proud of Anthony Edwards, whom I taught when he was incarcerated at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, New York. Anthony went on to get his Ph.D. and is now a professor of philosophy.

I also was especially pleased to teach in a doctoral program at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, that trained hundreds of black preachers under the leadership of the legendary Reverend Dr. Samuel Proctor.

I was blessed to teach many summers at the Governors’ Schools in Wake Forest, North Carolina and Conway, Arkansas—teaching centers for talented high school students, most of whom came from poor rural areas.

Once again as with
Hope on a Tightrope
, the editorial genius of Cheryl Woodruff and wise scrutiny of B. Colby Hamilton has greatly contributed to the quality of this book. They are the grand pride of SmileyBooks, especially the indefatigable and visionary leadership of president Cheryl Woodruff.

Mary Ann Rodriguez is not my student, but there is no way I could teach, lecture, write, travel, or endure without her vision, patience, and wisdom. Others call her my assistant, but she is really my guardian angel. She’s the gentle gatekeeper in an office where people from every walk of life pass through. Her inner sunshine warms all who come her way and keeps me sane. She is deeply loved and respected by everyone. I thank God she came my way.

When I consider the epic nature of my journey—the toils and snares, the joys and blessings—I am truly humbled. If I had three lifetimes, I could never express enough gratitude. So much of it comes down to Mom’s love, Dad’s devotion, and the life-sustaining support of my brother and sisters. I wish everyone could experience such grace. Each breath is a breakthrough, each day a gift, each life a miracle.

Living and loving out loud is a beautiful thing.

OUR COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT

I’
D LIKE TO OFFER A BRIEF EXPLANATION
of the authors’ credit,
“Cornel West with David Ritz”
:

I’ve done a number of books with other people based on conversations and spontaneous give-and-take. I’m a collaborator by nature. In my life it’s always been call-and-response.

This book is certainly a collaboration, but one with a difference. David Ritz and I have worked together to sculpt a voice that I hear as my own. Many of my other books were written in what I consider an “academic” voice.
Brother West
is rendered in a “conversational” voice.

That’s Ritz’s specialty, bringing out the intimate conversational cadences of a living language. He did it, to name a few, with Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, Grandmaster Flash, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, the Neville Brothers, Tavis Smiley—and I think he’s done it with me.

The process is based on friendship, empathy, and a common spirituality. Those readers familiar with Ritz’s other books will certainly hear echoes of his own voice in mine. At the same time, those who know me well will hear my distinct voice. It’s a melding that borders on the mystical. I’m convinced it’s also based on our spiritual bond. The process of writing with David has gone on for well over a year without a single disagreement or uncomfortable moment. How can two men understand each other so deeply that they are able to forge an authentic voice as seamless as Sam and Dave? The answer, I believe, is our Christian orientation and Christian faith. Of course it helped enormously that David’s passion for music and Jewish intellectual background made him comfortable with the ideas and sounds that shaped my life. But it is as believers that we have become collaborators. It is at the cross where we meet. And it is at the cross where we write together, brothers in Jesus Christ.

What a wonderful adventure it has been to work with such a master of language and story—my dear brother David Ritz!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

D
AVID
R
ITZ WOULD LIKE TO THANK
…

Cornel, for what has been one of the great literary jam sessions of my life. I love James Brown, but, for my money, you’re Soul Brother Number One.

Tavis, for hooking us up.

Cheryl Woodruff

Kimberly McFarland

David Vigliano

Gloria Loomis

My loving family: Pops Ritz, Roberta, Alison, Jessica, Jim, Henry, Charlotte, Alden, James, Elizabeth, Esther, all nieces and nephews, my friends Alan Eisenstock and Harry Weinger, my pastor Skip Smith, my fellow parishioner Brother Herb Powell.

MUSIC CREDITS

“A Change is Gonna Come”:
Words and Music by SAM COOKE • © 1964 (Renewed) ABKCO MUSIC, INC., 85 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003 • All Rights Reserved

“Gypsy Woman”:
Words and Music by CURTIS MAYFIELD • © 1961 (Renewed) WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP. • All Rights Reserved

“Wake Up Everybody”:
Words and Music by GENE McFADDEN, JOHN WHITEHEAD and VICTOR CARSTARPHEN • © 1975 (Renewed) WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP. • All Rights Reserved

“Think”:
Words and Music by Aretha Franklin and Ted White • © 1968 Fourteenth Hour Music, Inc. • Copyright renewed • All Rights Reserved

“Do You Love Me”:
Words and Music by Berry Gordy • © 1962 (Renewed 1990) JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC.

“Tell Her Love Has Felt The Need”:
Words and Music by Leonard Caston and Cathy Wakefield • © 1974 (Renewed 2002) JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC. and STONE DIAMOND MUSIC CORP. • All Rights for JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC. Controlled and Administered by EMI APRIL MUSIC INC.• All Rights for STONE DIAMOND MUSIC CORP. Controlled and Administered by EMI • BLACKWOOD MUSIC INC. • All Rights Reserved International Copyright Secured Used by Permission

“The Way You Do The Things You Do”:
Words and Music by William “Smokey” Robinson and Robert Rogers © 1964, 1972 (Renewed 1992, 2000), 1979 JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC. • All Rights Controlled and Administered by EMI APRIL MUSIC INC. • All Rights Reserved • International Copyright Secured • Used by Permission

“Walk Away From Love”
by Charles Kipps © 1974 Universal Music – Careers (BMI). Copyright Renewed. Used By Permission. All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

E
DUCATOR AND PHILOSOPHER
C
ORNEL
W
EST
is the Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University. Known as one of America’s most gifted, provocative, and important public intellectuals, he is the author of the contemporary classic
Race Matters,
which changed the course of America’s dialogue on race and justice; and the
New York Times
bestseller
Democracy Matters.
He is the recipient of the American Book Award and holds more than 20 honorary degrees.

A
WARD-WINNING
D
AVID
R
ITZ
is the author of
Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye;
and the co-author of the autobiographies of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, Grandmaster Flash, and the Neville Brothers.