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CORNEL WEST TO SPEAK AT WSC

(Worcester, MA)—Author and Scholar Dr. Cornel West will speak at Worcester State College, Wed., Feb. 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sullivan Auditorium.  The lecture, part of the Third World Alliance  “Courageous Conversations,” series is free and open to the public.

One of America’s most provocative public intellectuals, Cornel West has been praised by The New York Times for his “ferocious moral vision.”  Worcester State College President Dr. Janelle Ashley said the College is committed to bringing noted scholars to the campus and community.  “Worcester State College values spirited debate and intellectual challenge,” she said.  “I am so proud that our students, faculty and staff were instrumental in bringing Dr. West here.  We are delighted to be sharing this very important event with the entire community.” Third World Alliance President Jonathon Perez, a Worcester State College Junior majoring in Sociology and Spanish, said Dr. West will bring a new awareness to the community.  “He is an intellectual who has been very open about making religion part of his dialogue,” said Perez.  “That is what personally appealed to me.  Also, he urges that people be judged by who they are and what they bring to the table.”

Currently the Class of 1943 Professor at Princeton University, West burst onto the national scene in 1993 with his bestselling book, Race Matters, a searing analysis of racism in American democracy. Race Matters has become a contemporary classic.  West has published 16 other books and has edited 13 texts.

In his last book Democracy Matters, West analyzes the arrested development of democracy both in America and in the crisis-ridden Middle East. He argues that if America is to become a better steward of democratization around the world, it must first recognize its own long history of imperialist corruption.  His latest CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations is a collection of socially conscience music featuring collaborations with Prince, Outkast, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli. West also offers commentary weekly on The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI.

West earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard in three years, magna cum laude. After earning his Ph.D. at Princeton, he became a professor of religion and director of the Afro-American Studies program there. West has also taught at Union Theological Seminary, Yale, Harvard, and the University of Paris.

West was an influential force in developing the storyline for the popular Matrix movie trilogy and has served as its official spokesperson, as well as playing a recurring role in the final two films.

The event is sponsored by Third World Alliance, Academic Affairs, Center for Human Rights, Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, Diversity Office, Faith Zeady Foundation, Henry Lee Willis Center, Multicultural Affairs Office, Philosophy Department, President’s Office, Sociology Department, Student Activities Office and Worcester Youth Center.

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