Political activist and philosopher Cornel West discusses topics including anti-Palestinian racism at Harvard, the genocide in Gaza, LandBack, and the soulcraft of spiritual resistance to global calamities.
The struggles within Harvard's professional managerial class and the marginalized groups' delayed access to the institution highlight the inequality and racial dynamics within higher education.
Dr. Cornell West emphasizes the importance of grassroots engagement and prioritizing the empowerment of everyday people through initiatives like land back, which aims to return resources to marginalized communities and address poverty.
Deep dives
The Struggles within Harvard and the Ruling Class
The podcast episode discusses the struggles within Harvard's professional managerial class, which is seen as a ruling class institution. It highlights that marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, black folk, and brown folk gained access to Harvard much later than the ruling class. The episode also mentions a controversy involving former Harvard president Larry Summers and his accusations against Dr. Cornell West. The recent resignation of Claudine Gay, the former Dean of faculty, is also discussed, attributing it to pressure from donors and pro-Zionist figures.
Dr. Cornell West's Presidential Campaign as an Independent Candidate
Dr. Cornell West explains why he decided to run as an independent candidate rather than seeking the endorsement of the Green Party. He mentions the internal dynamics and requirements of the Green Party that would have limited his ability to focus on grassroots engagement and directly connecting with people. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the empowerment of everyday people and addressing poverty through land back, which refers to the return of land and resources to marginalized communities. Dr. West aims to prioritize the voices and struggles of oppressed groups and bring attention to issues like settler colonialism, indigenous rights, and workers' empowerment.
The Resonance and Importance of Palestinian Resistance
The podcast highlights the resonance and visibility of the Palestinian struggle for freedom and its impact on people around the world, particularly the younger generation. Dr. Cornell West discusses the connection between various oppressed groups' struggle for justice and solidarity. He emphasizes the significance of realizing the parallels between the struggles of indigenous peoples, black folk, and the Palestinian people, as well as the need for accountability and justice. He criticizes the corporate media's portrayal of the resistance as a worship of death and highlights the importance of recognizing spirituality and morality in resistance movements.
The Significance of Land Back and the Decolonization Project
Dr. Cornell West acknowledges the importance of the land back movement and the decolonization project. He emphasizes the empowerment of ordinary people by gaining access to land and resources, which he sees as an anti-poverty measure that restores dignity. Dr. West discusses the inherent flaws in the dominant capitalist system, which prioritize profits over the needs of ordinary people. He views land back as a part of the larger project of democratization, where social relations are governed by equality and societal wealth is not based solely on private plunder. The connection between land back, decolonization, and spirituality is also emphasized as key elements in the pursuit of justice and liberation.
Cornel West (@CornelWest) is back on The Red Nation Podcast. He discusses the anti-Palestinian racism at Harvard, the genocide in Gaza, LandBack, and the soulcraft of spiritual resistance to the deep calamities facing humanity and the world.
