Thursday, November 17, 2011

Cornel West Is Leaving Princeton University

Your Black World reports

Noted public intellectual Cornel West plans to finish up his teaching career in Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he began his career as an assistant professor back in 1977. Since that time, he has gone to Yale, Harvard and Princeton, and had a powerful impact on the entire world.

West is currently the author of 19 books, including “Race Matters.” He is taking a significant pay cut to join Union, but likely earns most of the money back through speaking fees.

Union is known as the birthplace of black theology. West gives the black church credit for formulating his liberal politics. He claims that Union was “the institutional expression of my core identity as a prophetic Christian.”

“I don’t have that much time, and I want to be able to do precisely what I’m called to do,” said Professor West.

West will remain an emeritus professor at Princeton, where he is leaving on good terms. He is also given credit for helping to create an outstanding center for African American studies.

The Rev. Serene Jones, Union’s president, told the New York Times that “In coming here, Cornel comes to a place where his scholarly commitments and his activism don’t live in two different worlds. As you get older, the more integrated your life is, the healthier it feels and the less time you have to spend waking up deciding who you’re going to be that day. At Union, he just has to be Cornel.”

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

God is good all the time!

Berdell said...

I am happy for Dr.West,I hope he finds the peace and contenment we all seek by returning to his roots.
Blessings and God Speed

Carol said...

I am so happy to hear Mr. West is returning to his roots. What better way to complete a career. Being able to go full circle thus give back to those who can most identify with what Mr. West has to offer is fitting. And to do it in a environment where he can genuinely be himself with due respect, admiration and great appreciation. A wonderful thing indeed!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I am happy for the students he will encounter. They need to hear what he has to teach them. Dr. West recognized his calling to give back before his time on this earth was up!

Philip-Paul said...

Philip-Paul said..
I am pleased with Dr. West's decision to return to his (roots), Union. It gives him much more credibility when he demands other Black leader to return to our communities. Yale, Harvard and Princeton never felt like our communities to me. I have a great deal of respect for Dr. West, but this move makes me feel he's look inside as well as outside.

Anonymous said...

Yes!!! Dr.West is a true brother!

Anonymous said...

It's about time. Though he would not have become rich nor famous had he not gone to the traditional schools. Hope he remembers that when he returns and doesn't think he's better than those who never left.

Anonymous said...

DO YOUR THING.MR. WEST!! THAT JUST WHAT REV. RALPH ABERNATHY TOLD ME ONE DAY WHILE HE VISITED THE COLLEGE I WAS ATTENDING. AND IT'S TIME FOR EVERYONE ONE TO STAND UP OR SHUT UP...LITERALLY
DO YOU!!!