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Politics : President Barack Obama -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: stockman_scott who wrote (2623)	8/26/2007 12:06:37 AM
From: zeta1961	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 149317

My personal quote of the month: "If you don't agree with him, don't vote for him," West said. "You don't really need to go there and lie and engage in mendacity." Cornel West.. My comment: West cracks me up..he spares NOBODY with his bluntness..he was open and sharp about his criticism of Obama for announcing his candidacy on the same w/e as a major Black conference[therefore missing it]..Obama called him the following week, they met and Obama won him over..as all political junkies, it's the vignettes within the soap opera that I find most interesting! Cornel West raps on hip-hop, Snoop, Obama By Bankole Thompson Special to the NNPA from the Michigan Chronicle DETROIT (NNPA)-To some, Princeton University's professor of religion Dr. Cornel West might be giving up scholarship in releasing his new music CD "Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations," comprised of positive rap themes. But, the activist black academic sees rap music as an integral part of social change and one that can bring back the essence of black music. That is why West released "Sketches" in 2001 and "Street Knowledge" in 2003, both spoken word CD's. This time around, West is working to release his latest album. "You can't really respect young people in a substantive way without really looking at what influences them. Hip-hop is an integral part of the life of young people," West said in a recent phone interview from Las Vegas where he was attending the 100 Black Men of America conference. West said hip-hop can be used as a potent weapon to create change in our communities, "but I don't think enough people in the black community recognize that. "There are those prophetic hiphop artists," West said citing KRS- 1 and Talib Kwelli among others. If hip-hop puts young people to sleep, it reinforces a certain kind of political weapon that can be utilized for the good of the black community, West said. "I have been blessed to have KR- S 1, Chuck D, Jay Z come speak to my class," West said. "I have great respect for these artists." On the Don Imus controversy, which also triggered calls for an end to misogynist lyrics by some rappers, West said artists like Snoop Dog must also be held accountable. "Snoop is part of the black community, he's got to be held accountable," West said. "There are exemplary folks in hip-hop doing magnificent work who themselves have been the major critics of Snoop." West, however, said what Imus did in calling the Rutgers female basketball team, "nappy headed hoes," is part of the history of blacks in America. "We've got to treat America with decency," West admonished. Weighing in on the 2008 presidential run, West said he's supporting Sen. Barack Obama. "Right now I am supporting my dear brother Obama. I think he is young enough to grow and is a decent brother," West said. "I'm very much part of his campaign." West's said he is not oblivious of the questions that have been raised about Obama's commitment to black issues or civil rights. "He's (Obama) got to be himself," West said. " If he has a commitment to love and justice, he is pro civil rights." Running for the nation's highest office, West said Obama will have to appeal to more people. "If you don't agree with him, don't vote for him," West said. "You don't really need to go there and lie and engage in mendacity." West challenged the presidential runners to be honest with voters. "To thy own self be true," West, said quoting a Biblical injunction. He said the verdict is still on because Obama still has got to meet some test. The African American scholar wants healthcare for children to be included in the candidates' top priority list.