A Late Response to Dr. West's Speech

So this post is actually taken from a discussion I had with a professor who also attended Dr. West's meeting. He wanted me to post this on facebook and I thought it would be more appropriate and private if I post it here instead. Forgive me if some of the things included in this post overlaps with Professor Fathman a bit.

"I am very glad I went to the event yesterday. I didn't know what I was in for, but it was certainly a pleasant surprise. I thought Dr. West's speech was very moving and insightful.

He made it so that everyone can feel personally involved, whether you are a person of color or not. It is about being a human and self-examining our lives. I know I am guilty of just being too self-absorbed with college, work, and my future all the time.

I remember him talking about paideia. I think my classes this semester have definitely led me more in this direction. They have particularly challenged me to think more creatively and critically about all aspects of life. And as I think and observe more, I realize that the world is infested with complicated problems that I never knew existed.

I was also surprised when Dr. West compared racism to terrorism. I never thought of racism in that way before until last night. The similarities between them are a bit shocking. The analogy definitely helps bring our the sense of urgency to solve the issue of racism in our society that has long been overdue.

Dr. West also mentioned the case of a mother whose 14 years old child was lynched (I think it was Emmett Till). I remember seeing the before and after picture of Emmett when I was studying the civil rights movement in high school. Till this day, I still remember clearly the horrible after picture of his face so this example that Dr. West brought up really moved me.

I was also surprised to hear Dr. West criticizing President Obama. I guess I had the prenotion that all African Americans think President Obama can do no wrong, which I didn't realize I have until yesterday. His criticism made me re-examine my own beliefs about President Obama. Obama always sounds so "right" when he speak that I guess I sometimes overlook his actions.

But then again, Dr. West also sounds really "right" when he speak so I think I need to think more about his speech before I make an evaluation on it or on him as a person."