West, Post Class, meg143

In the article “Race Matters” by Cornell West, he brings up some very controversial topics that have been an issue with a very slow improvement for some time now. West discusses the concept of race from both sides of the political spectrum and how neither side seems to have a concrete solution to the racial segregation in our society today. “The paralyzing framework encourages liberals to relieve their guilty consciences by supporting public funds directed at “the problems”; but at the same time, reluctant to exercise principled criticism of black people, liberals deny them the freedom. Similarly, conservatives blame the “problems” on the black people themselves and thereby render black social misery invisible or unworthy of public attention.” (627). I found this quote very interesting because it shows that neither of the political parties have a positive way of looking at how to create a country free of racial discrimination. While the issue of race has definitely been improved over time there are still underlying issues that do not allow people of color to feel as though America is their home as well. West continues to describe how there is a constant desire to “fit into” the American ideals, which is not what our country was founded on. West continues to describe different statistics that show how much work our country still needs. “About one out of every five children in this country lives in poverty, including one out of every two black children and two out of every five Hispanic children” (630). There needs to be a positive solution that includes every citizen in this country, where no one is considered “the problem.” I think that West did a great job in this reading by giving positive ideas that could result in a successful change for our country. This consisted of admitting that we as American people are the most helpful resource of power and social change and need to come together as a country; and also that we need to focus on the common good of the country as a whole and consider us all as one. West also says, “One essential step is some form of large scale public intervention to ensure access to basic social goods- housing, food, health care, education, child care, and jobs” (630). And lastly that we need courageous leaders who, “can situate themselves within a larger historical narrative of this country and our world, who can grasp the complex dynamics of our people hood and imagine a future grounded in the best of our past, yet who are attuned to the frightening obstacles that now perplex us” (630). West has a strong desire to improve our country and create a place where everyone feels that they are truly a connected part of America.