Race Matters Preface-Chapter 4

5 Sentences on the Big Picture

Race Matters seems to be an incredibly provocative book about how race, in particular the African-American people in America have various obstacles to overcome. The first five sections of the book focus on how the African American culture is perceived and the lack of black politicians and leaders today. Besides presenting these conflicts, history and difficulties that black people have and still do face, Race Matters also brings the attitude that African Americans hold toward themselves as well as the attitude America has concerning African Americans to the forefront of the discussion. The text is both unsettling and interesting. Cornel West continues to challenge all people's views and opinions.

4 Key Passages

"This turning is done through one's own affirmation of one's worth-an affirmation fueled by the concern of others. A love ethics must be at the center of a politics of conversion." (page 29)

"For example, well-to-do black parents no longer send their children to Howard, Morehouse, and Fisk "to serve the race" (though often for indirect self-serving ends), but rather to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton "to get a high-paying job" (for direct selfish reasons). (page 55)

"First, blackness has no meaning outside of a system of race-conscious people and practices...In short, blackness is a political and ethical construct." (page 39)

"Yet this leap in quantity has not been accompanied by a leap in quality. The present day black middle class is not simply different than its predecessors--it is more deficient and, to put it strongly, more decadent. For the most part, the dominate outlooks and life-styles of today's black middle class discourage the development of high quality political and intellectual leaders." (page 54)

3 Terms

Nihilistic: total and absolute destructiveness
Angst: a feeling of dread, anxiety or anguish
Afrocentrism: Centered or focused on Africa or African peoples, especially in relation to historical or cultural influence

2 Connections

West talks about the nihilistic threat as being a cause of the criminal activity involving African American people today. West does acknowledge that people are responsible for their own actions but also places part of the blame on the American culture. I disagree. Each person knows within them right and wrong. And we are each responsible for the decisions we make, and those consequences cannot be blamed on anything other than our own choices.

West also talks about the "conservative idea" that black men need to stay married and support their children. In my American Educational Thought class we talked of the achievement gap. A study done just last year (2008) found that the achievement gap is related to an intact family and religious commitment. In today's world 3/4 of African American babies are born out of wedlock. By not staying married to and supporting their children, these men are only allowing the vicious cycle to continue.

1 Question

Cornel West discusses the effect the European ideal of beauty on young black girls in today's world; my question is what can be changed in today's world to fix not only the image on black women but women of all ages and races.