MuthaFranka
September 28th, 2004, 03:44 PM
Just wondering if any of the more well-read people on the board have heard of Cornel West. Here's a snippet from Democracy Matters
American self-confidence, [Emerson] argued, should be grounded not in a narrow chauvinistic claim about the superiority of the American way, but rather in a mature affirmation of America's gifts to the world as well as candid acknowledgment of the "most unhandsome part of our condition." Cheap American patriotism not only reflects an immaturity and insecurity, he warned, but also is an adolescent defense mechanism that reveals a fear to engage the world and learn from others. Narrow nationalism is a handmaiden of imperial rule, he argues--it keeps the populace deferential and complacent. Hence it abhors critics and dissenters like Emerson who unsettle and awaken the people.
I saw him speak at a local university, and I was utterly blown away. The most well-spoken, literate person I've had the pleasure to witness talk EVER.
Please, if you care about politics at all, go read this guy's book. He makes the most rational, well placed arguments I've seen to date.
American self-confidence, [Emerson] argued, should be grounded not in a narrow chauvinistic claim about the superiority of the American way, but rather in a mature affirmation of America's gifts to the world as well as candid acknowledgment of the "most unhandsome part of our condition." Cheap American patriotism not only reflects an immaturity and insecurity, he warned, but also is an adolescent defense mechanism that reveals a fear to engage the world and learn from others. Narrow nationalism is a handmaiden of imperial rule, he argues--it keeps the populace deferential and complacent. Hence it abhors critics and dissenters like Emerson who unsettle and awaken the people.
I saw him speak at a local university, and I was utterly blown away. The most well-spoken, literate person I've had the pleasure to witness talk EVER.
Please, if you care about politics at all, go read this guy's book. He makes the most rational, well placed arguments I've seen to date.