Fresh from his crowd pleasing appearance on ABC’s Q&A, American philosopher and activist Cornel West appeared at The Astor Theatre in Perth for the first of a series of lectures around Australia, speaking primarily about race relations and the forced closures of aboriginal communities.
Over the course of his career West has been a regular guest on shows like The Real Time with Bill Maher and The Colbert Report; not to mention a well placed cameo in two of the Matrix movies. The latter coinciding with the last time West was on Australian shores.
It’s fair to say the evening had a distinctly political tint; with a number of activist groups represented amongst the crowd. This political dimension was a recurring theme throughout the night, from opening traditional welcome, through to the stirring and emotive poem recited by Omar Musa; a blistering poem that drew cheers from the audience; and highlighted so many of hypocrisies inherent in certain sections of contemporary society. As Musa accurately surmised he was preaching to the choir and the converted here. It’s safe to say you’d be hard pressed to find a traditional Liberal voter within the Astor Theatre that night.
West has been decried by some sections of the United States, he’s deemed controversial thanks to his continued criticism of President Obama and the pervasive influence that Wall Street has on the government. Though at one point over the course of his back and forth with questioner and comedian Aamer Rahman I didn’t see someone who I would consider controversial, rather someone who is passionate about trying to make a difference and compassionate to the plight of the poor and working class, not just in America and not just within the African American communities. The questions poised allowed West to talk at length about his reflections on race, religion and the reasoning behind his critique of Obama despite previously campaigning for him initially.
As an aspiring academic myself, it was an absolute pleasure to hear an academic of West’s stature speak so passionately and so eloquently all the while ensuring the material was accessible for a diverse audience. West is as much a performer as he is an academic, he presents his thoughts with a certain cadence and a certain delivery that draws from the traditions of jazz and blues music, and of course hip hop. Coupled with an effusive presence on stage, and a down to earth approach (everyone is a brother or sister) the whole talk was nothing but entertaining and as corny as it may sound, inspiring.
During the public question and answer session it was gratifying to see West give each questioner and each question due consideration, even when pressed for time. Each question was treated to considered, enthusiastic and personal responses (even the question that erred perhaps too far into conspiracy theory territory). These questions also allowed West to talk further and in more detail about Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and other “freedom fighters” who had an impact on his mode of thought and his own activism.
There was a tweet at the end of the episode of Q&A that West appeared on that reading something along the lines of: “Can We Keep Cornel West?” and I have to agree, at a period of time where the disparity between the rich and the poor is growing ever wider, and with the situation for the aboriginal population getting even more dire, we need more people like West and indeed Musa speaking sense in the face of injustice.
I left the theatre that night inspired, heartened and entertained. This was the first speaking tour by West in Australia; hopefully it won’t be the last. But in case it is, get down to the remaining dates on this tour. Be entertained; be provoked into maybe thinking about things differently. You won’t regret it!
An Evening with Cornel West – Remaining Dates
MELBOURNE: 12 June 2015, MCEC
Opening: Dr Gary Foley
Musical guests: L-Fresh the Lion
Host: Aamer Rahman
SYDNEY: 13 June 2015, Big Top
Opening: Jenny Munro
Musical guests: Luka Lesson
Host: Nazeem Hussain
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