Assassinated 60 years ago today, the death of this civil rights giant should remind us that, unchecked, violent political speech activates physical violence and contempt for the law
Have an issue with this posts castigating Cornell West as responsible for millions of lives. That was clearly on the head of Bush/Cheney and the Dems who also supported the wars. It is a personal political position to stick with the two sided uniparty of the country but that does not negate the real issue that both Parties are rotten and we need to open the political arena. West is part of that Movement. New Alliance Party had this as a core piece of their political work and would work with anyone that was willing to work on doing this. This often led them into alliances with people not very well liked: they took criticism but held their line. I find the thinking in this article like stuck in a closed arena and running in circles thinking a solution will be found within the rotten system that exists.
Tanya, neither Joan or myself said that Cornel West was responsible for millions of deaths: it was Nader's candidacy that got Buch into office and West has never acknowledged that there were consequences to his disruption. That's very different.
Yes, that is true but how you wrote your post creates the impression of you supporting this claim. You did not address the counter position that efforts to open up the political process carries risks during the struggle which always happens when the country is being pushed toward structural change. I hear this all the time on all issues. This week alone 2 people addressed what they saw as negative impact of the Trans people and Drag people having on themselves for speaking out. I think Americans are really cowardly people who cling, in true co-dependency, to the status quo for fear of what change might feel like.
Have an issue with this posts castigating Cornell West as responsible for millions of lives. That was clearly on the head of Bush/Cheney and the Dems who also supported the wars. It is a personal political position to stick with the two sided uniparty of the country but that does not negate the real issue that both Parties are rotten and we need to open the political arena. West is part of that Movement. New Alliance Party had this as a core piece of their political work and would work with anyone that was willing to work on doing this. This often led them into alliances with people not very well liked: they took criticism but held their line. I find the thinking in this article like stuck in a closed arena and running in circles thinking a solution will be found within the rotten system that exists.
Tanya, neither Joan or myself said that Cornel West was responsible for millions of deaths: it was Nader's candidacy that got Buch into office and West has never acknowledged that there were consequences to his disruption. That's very different.
Yes, that is true but how you wrote your post creates the impression of you supporting this claim. You did not address the counter position that efforts to open up the political process carries risks during the struggle which always happens when the country is being pushed toward structural change. I hear this all the time on all issues. This week alone 2 people addressed what they saw as negative impact of the Trans people and Drag people having on themselves for speaking out. I think Americans are really cowardly people who cling, in true co-dependency, to the status quo for fear of what change might feel like.
I just disagree.
Me, too. These responses miss Claire's point entirely and the far broader, deeper meaning of anti-democratic terrorism in America.
It's Cornel West (not Cornell).
TY