Cornel West

Cornel Ronald West, born on June 2, 1953, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a prominent American philosopher, political activist, social critic, author, and public intellectual. Raised in a working-class family, West's early exposure to the civil rights movement deeply influenced his lifelong commitment to social justice. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University in 1973 and earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Princeton University in 1980.

West's academic career includes prestigious tenures at Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Union Theological Seminary. A prolific writer, his works address issues of race, gender, and class in American society. His 1993 book, "Race Matters," remains a seminal text in understanding the complexities of racial issues in the United States. In addition to his academic pursuits, West is known for his political activism. He has been a vocal critic of both Democratic and Republican administrations, advocating for the poor and disenfranchised.

Beyond his scholarly and activist life, West has appeared in popular culture, contributing to documentaries and films, and even taking on acting roles. His distinctive style, marked by his Afro and three-piece suits, along with his passion for speaking truth to power, has made him a celebrated and sometimes controversial figure in American public life.