But black folks have never really been optimists. We've been prisoners of hope, and hope is qualitatively different from optimism in the way that there's a difference between The Blues and Lawrence Welk. The Blues and Jazz have to do with hope while the other is sugarcoated music which has to do with sentimental optimism.
Cornel WestAesthetics have substantial political consequences. How one views oneself as beautiful or not beautiful or desirable or not desirable has deep consequences in terms of oneโs feelings of self-worth and oneโs capacity to be a political agent.
Cornel WestThere is always a very delicate interplay between individual actions and institutional conditions.
Cornel WestI've been blessed, I think, to have tremendous joy in my life in pursuing my vocation, my calling.
Cornel WestMartin Luther King wanted to be morally consistent and speak out against various things that were wrong, not just racism.
Cornel West