West Pre-Class

Cornell West highlights an essential point when looking at any sort of overwhelming social issue – whether it be racial inequality, poverty, crime, social integration, or unemployment – we must look at its structural problems rather than focusing in on one specific example that ignores other relevant events or taking on one specific political position that is determined by a predisposed point of view. West recognizes the fact that in dealing with race-related issues, neither the historically-based Democratic nor Republican perspective will generate solutions; instead we must focus on the discourse that serves this issue and the inherent problem in this discourse that must be dealt with if we ever want to be able to start making progress. In essence, “the common denominator of these views of race is that each still sees black people as a ‘problem’ people…rather than as fellow American citizens with problems” (627). Neither side is correct, you see, rather a revolutionary event must take place – we must generate a new approach to how we deal with these continual, overpowering issues that will not be resolved until we look in the mirror and realize instead of posing “them” (African Americans) against “us” (Caucasians), we must unite to understand ourselves as “we” – a collective people who must work together rather than in opposition if we are to ever succeed in creating a coherent society based on a sharing of common values and beliefs. In a postmodern society that prides itself on eclecticism, deconstruction, and diversity in our art, architecture, and philosophy, it is time we start embracing such ideals concerning ourselves as “people” – a people that is not homogenous but, on the contrary, multicultural and multiracial, an idea that should break the color line and lead us into this new era of a cultural revolution with an optimistic vision.