Cornel West Featured in Race, Politics, and Policy Center’s Inaugural Live Event

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 17:36:29 +0000

Cornel West Featured in Race, Politics, and Policy Center’s Inaugural Live Event Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/18/2022 - 13:36

In This Story

Michael K. Fauntroy

Mark J. Rozell

Cornel West on stage at Mason’s Van Metre Hall auditorium. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Cornel West promised to talk about “the center of the deep crisis that America finds itself in,” and the longtime philosopher, academic, and social activist did not disappoint.

West spoke for more than two hours in a conversation moderated by Schar School of Policy and Government Associate Professor Michael K. Fauntroy on Thursday, April 14, before an audience of more than 150 at ��AV’s Van Metre Hall auditorium at Mason Square (formerly the Arlington Campus).

A video of the conversation is here.

The appearance, the first in-person event hosted by the Schar School’s new Race, Politics, and Policy Center, directed by Fauntroy, opened with remarks from Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell and an introduction by George Mason Provost and Executive Vice President Mark R. Ginsberg, who teed things up for West’s penetrating observations on contemporary society by citing Mason’s renowned majority-minority population and its diversity being “a core virtue.”

If there is an easier guest to interview before a live audience, it’s difficult to imagine. For his part, Fauntroy gamely asked insightful questions that were answered with rhythmically imparted, free-flowing, and trenchant responses that reflected a musical cadence, not surprising given West’s love of jazz, which he referenced often. It was a master class in compelling oratory.

If an answer seemed to go a few measures too far, West, who was dressed in his trademark Edwardian-style black suit and tie, was aware. “I know I am going on too long, my brother,” he said to Fauntroy at one point, “but that is the beginning of my answer.” The line brought a laugh.

Fauntroy began the evening addressing the 68-year-old West’s “origin story,” during which West recounted being born in Oklahoma, “in the same hospital as the [soul group] GAP Band, in Greenwood. You know the name of the band stands for Greenwood, Archer, and Pine Band.”

Greenwood, West then reminded the audience, was the scene of the 1921 massacre that killed some 300 people and destroyed what was once “the Black Wall Street.”

The long-time academic—he currently serves as the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary in New York City—addressed the current state of higher education, pointing out the difference between “education and schooling. Did you go to college, or did college go to you? Did you learn to think critically and to be yourself? Or did you get well-adjusted to injustice?”

Asked by Fauntroy about the teaching of hot-button issue critical race theory, West’s reply was simple and somber: “The reality is, the truth is too painful.”

On a lighter note, West recalled his days as an athlete, including winning a state championship in track, the memory of which brought a big smile to his face. As a baseball player, he said, “I wanted to be Willie Mays, not Mickey Mantle,” the difference being Mays’ admirably playful style of catching and throwing, which he happily demonstrated from his seat.

Well into his conversation, a remark made by Provost Ginsberg in his introduction came to West’s mind. “’Access to excellence,’” he said, repeating the university’s signature slogan. “Access to excellence…A center for race, and politics, and policy.

“There is something special happening at ��AV,” he concluded.

Cornel West, center, poses with students following his conversation with Schar School Associate Professor Michael K. Fauntroy. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

Topics

Cornel West

Mark Ginsberg

Schar School News April 2022

Campus News

Academic and Activist Cornel West Comes to the Schar School April 14

bmcclai2 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 15:23:18 +0000

Academic and Activist Cornel West Comes to the Schar School April 14 bmcclai2 Wed, 03/30/2022 - 11:23

In This Story

Michael K. Fauntroy

Noted academic and progressive political activist Cornel West visits ��AV’s Van Metre Hall in Arlington for a wide-ranging discussion with Schar School of Policy Associate Professor Michael K. Fauntroy on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m.

The in-person appearance, sponsored by the Schar School’s Race, Politics, and Policy Center (RPPC), is free and open to the public.

Cornel West: 'We will explore the deep crisis that America finds itself in.'

“We will discuss issues of personal integrity, civic virtue, and a political vision of justice and fairness,” West said. “We will explore the center of the deep crisis that America finds itself in.”

Specifically, added Fauntroy, founding director of the RPPC, the discussion will address the state of American democracy, human rights, critical race theory, and other topics. A question-and-answer session with audience members will follow the conversation.

Fauntroy, who has known West for more than a decade, noted that his appearance exemplifies the kinds of events the RPPC will produce as it aims to become “a major player in advancing the public discourse about the vital issues on which we focus,” he said. West’s appearance as the first in-person event is “a big honor for the center, the Schar School, and the university at-large.”

West, a well-known as “a provocative intellectual,” has written 20 books, edited 13, and taught as a professor at Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, and the University of Paris. He currently serves as the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Participants must complete Mason COVID Health™ and receive a “green light” status on the day of the event. Event organizers must confirm status during check-in prior to event entry. Attendees are required to wear masks during the event.

Topics

Race

Politics

Cornel West

Schar School News March 2022