Cornel West: It's Not Just Katrina, it's POVERTINA

[goclark]

Published on Sunday, September 11, 2005 by the Observer/UK




SNIPPETS FROM:


Exiles From a City and From a Nation

by Cornel West

> It takes something as big as Hurricane Katrina and the misery we saw among the poor black people of New Orleans to get America to focus on race and poverty. It happens about once every 30 or 40 years. <

>It's not just Katrina, it's povertina. People were quick to call them refugees because they looked as if they were from another country. They are. Exiles in America. Their humanity had been rendered invisible so they were never given high priority when the well-to-do got out and the helicopters came for the few. Almost everyone stuck on rooftops, in the shelters, and dying by the side of the road was poor black. <

> In the end George Bush has to take responsibility. When Kanye West said the President does not care about black people, he was right, although the effects of his policies are different from what goes on in his soul. You have to distinguish between a racist intent and the racist consequences of his policies. Bush is still a 'frat boy', making jokes and trying to please everyone while the Neanderthals behind him push him more to the right.<

< The average national income is $33,000, though for African-Americans it is about $24,000. It has one of the highest city murder rates in the US. From slave ships to the Superdome was not that big a journey. <

*************************************************************
Dr Cornel West is professor of African American studies and religion at Princeton University. His great grandfather was a slave. He is a rap artist and appeared as Counselor West in Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions.

[rox63]

1. Can you post a link to the article? n/t

[goclark]

2. I wish I could,

Maybe someone can help me understand the posting rules.

I have the full article but it was sent to me by email.

I thought I could only post 4 snippets --right/wrong?

The entire article is right on target.

[goclark]

3. Here is the link!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1567249,00.html

[ultraist]

4. Thanks!

Wise words from a very wise man.

You can post up to four paragraphs.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Framing: "Floodgate"

Floodgate is to Bush as Watergate is to Nixon.

[goclark]

8. Floodgate has a certain truth to it

I loved what Cornel West said about Bush.

I pray that the Floodgate will open and allow Bush to be sweeped back to Crawford Texas.

He can take Condi"sold her soul" White Rice with him.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Cornel is a poetic truthteller......

Was sad that he moved from Harvard to Princeton.... :(

I've attended his lectures many times!

[goclark]

29. Lucky you to have attended his lectures!

I often recall my college days, listening to guest lecturers like James Baldwin!

West is a gift to the mind. He makes you THINK.

[La Coliniere]

7. West is one of the best.

You rock, brother!
Thanks for posting this.

[goclark]

9. He was a HERO to my brilliant 93 year old aunt

She absolutely loved him and read everything he wrote.

In her last year of life she asked me to get his RAP CD so she could play it on her little boom box!

[La Coliniere]

10. Your aunt sounded really cool

and probably loved you as much as she loved West.
Peace!

[goclark]

14. I know she did love me as much as she loved Cornel West

and that is "Pretty High Cotton" because she loved her some Cornel West!

Thanks for your kindness.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Any chance he would ever run for public office?

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[goclark]

12. I've never heard him express a passion for public office

He has a way of speaking the TRUTH that would indicate that he has a spine.

Huum...that would be odd for the public figures that hold the national stage today. :)

Most are spineless wonders.

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Except the CBC and most of the Progressive Caucus

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[goclark]

15. Do you mean that he participates in the Progressive Causcus?

Or that he has expressed an interest in running for office?

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. Oh no, I mean that the CBC and the progressive caucus are where all the

spines are these days. ;)

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Window]

16. I have been waiting for the great Dr. West to weigh in.

He hasn't dissapointed me!

Thanks for posting this.

[goclark]

19. The Great Doctor should have his own TV Show

I just love to listen to him and watch the way his mind operates!

He has "A Beautiful Mind."

[Window]

28. Yes, that would really be something.

He facinates me.

[me b zola]

18. Bravo Dr. West

As a nation, we must have this conversation. We must begin to be honest about who & what we are, the consequences of governmental policies, and the grave disparities that exists in the richest nation in the world.


Nominated.

[goclark]

20. Thanks for the nomination

I wanted as many as possible to read the words of the dynamic Dr. West.

My dream Cable Show would be an hour with Tavis interviewing Cornel on the Racism issues involved in New Orleans.

[me b zola]

21. Perhaps a couple of e-mails could make your dream cable show a reality

I have a feeling that Tavis has a lot of feelings on this issue as well.

[ultraist]

22. good idea! email for Tavis

More mainstream folks need to hear what Dr. West has to say. It seems his audiences are primarily intellectuals and the academic community.

Contact info for Tavis Smiley:

Mailing address
3870 Crenshaw Blvd.
Suite 391
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Fax: [phone]

Tavis Smiley, CEO
Denise Pines, Director of Business Development
Raymond Ross, Special Projects Coordinator
Kimberly McFarland, Executive Assistant to Tavis Smiley
Danny Davis, Personal Assistant to Tavis Smiley
Martin Erb, Webmaster

General email: [e-mail]

[goclark]

26. Sent email immediately, thanks for the email address

Please keep this kicked so other can email Tavis and make my dream show come true.

Tavis and Cornel ---that would truly be popcorn time!!!

[Must_B_Free]

23. Katrina made me wonder what West would say

I even went and looked up his "Niggerization of America" piece last week. Thanks OP. Brother Cornell is my favorite writer.

http://www.thispublicaddress.com/archives/000810.php

http://www.syrculturalworkers.com/feature/HaveYouSeenThis/HYSTcornelWest.html

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0222-31.htm

[1932]

24. That should be on a Tshirt

[goclark]

27. It's T Shirt Time for Povertina! nt

[ultraist]

34. I'd buy one!

Povertina
From slave ships to the Superdome was not that big a journey.

[babylonsister]

25. Cornel West is worth listening to; thanks, goclark! nt

[jane_pippin]

30. Thanks for posting this. I always like listening to what he has to

say. I was paging through his book, Democracy Matters, the other day and it looks like I have something to buy on pay day now.

[goclark]

31. I'm on PST, I'm calling Tavis Smiley's office

as soon as it opens!

I want to see Dr. West, just Dr. West talk for an hour show.

I have seen him many times on panels, I want a solo appearance.

[jane_pippin]

33. That's a great idea!

I'd love to see that. I'd also love him to get an hour special on HBO--I don't know why that keeps popping into my head, but I'm kind of a weird dreamer so...yeah. :D

When you call, make sure to tell them you know at least one other person who'd love to see Dr. West solo too!

[Jeanette in FL]

32. Interesting that it is published overseas

I wonder why it wasn't published in an American paper. I have always loved listening to him speak and couldn't wait to hear his perspective on this horrible situation. Thank you so much for posting this. Great read.

[goclark]

35. Please fax Tavis Smiley 323 2903940 and ask

him to do a one man program about Katrina with Dr. West.

I tried emailing and the email failed : (

I just faxed and it went through.

Thanks!

[wildeyed]

36. "do not confuse charity with justice"

Wise words. Let's see if the country is up to the challenge of differentiating between the two.

[goclark]

37. With * at the helm there is no justice and no charity

It's every poor person for himself.

Every rich person will be taken care of ----