Riz Khan - America's legendary intellectual-15 Apr 08-Part 1

[KingRobbStark]

"America's legendary intellectual"

Bullshit

[kotaddu1860]

gd gd gd job .you are great

[MTF907]

It's funny how rich christians will tell a poor person to get a job yet won't say the same thing about Jeebus

[Zendout1]

One of America's best known intellectuals?

Hahahahahahahahahaha--you're kidding, right?

[Zwartekaka]

Get off my lawn!!!

[Farf420]

I wish for the black communities sake that theyd get out of this religious mindset. Its typical of the have nots to cling to happy thoughts like God. It helps people stay hopeful but at the same time it hurts people by praying instead of doing or learning what needs to be done.

[Showyourself2730]

@Farf420

As a Christian, I wish for individuals such as yourself to stop stereotyping people who believe in God and minimizing us to the degree that you think, rather wrongfully, that we are a group of impotents who don't know how to live our lives effectively. Every Christian is NOT poor, there are plenty that are rich; every Christian DOES NOT simply pray then sit back and wait for God to answer our prayers, we also ACT. And by acting, I mean we do what we have to do. I hope you understand.

[Farf420]

@Showyourself2730 I dont blame you for the nonsense youve been brought up to believe. Im sure you and most Christians are decent people. However, the fact is Christianity like Islam and many other religions are tools used by the powerful to control people psychologically.

[mikejpete]

@Farf420 as Stalin used a a false interpretation of a political ideology

[pashute12]

uhm...  what happens if I scroll back and listen again. The "when" disappears in the rev's talk but shows up in the prophet. Prophetic?

[halflifeproductionz]

@STPMech who?

[veriteinternational]

@STPMech - guess who the sub-human is now? Why do ignorant folk always have to come to the watering hole to spew bile? Dig a pit and keep it to yourself!

[shitdamnmf]

This is what should be on Tv, not the crap people pay for.

[libere]

I personally feel that EVERYONE should listen to Rev. Wright. I'm happy Obama heard the words of Rev. Wright because it will educate him on where his work lies as President. How can America improve it self if it doesn't know what's wrong with it self to begin with?? We all need that inner critical voice to better our selves. Rev Wright reminds us that America was only great fore SOME people- and the task at hand for all presidents is to help us strive to form a more perfect union.

[seroMU]

a phenomenon. a great scholar and human being.

much love for this brother and teacher from kurdistan.

[fzappa007]

So let ask all you "righteous brothers and sisters" Am I a BAD MAN because I was BORN white and somewhat "well-to do"???

[ablackgirl05]

@fzappa007 Not inherently bad, no. Privileged by a system that is inherently white-supremacist, classist, sexist, homophobic... yes.

[fzappa007]

@ablackgirl05 So let me ask you, what should i do ???

[ablackgirl05]

@fzappa007 Be an ally. Listen. Think about how you participate in a system that is racist, sexist, ableist, homophobic, etc. Challenge yourself in how you speak, how you interact with others. Challenge yourself to think about what "others" means for you. Challege yourself to be honest about what you've "earned" knowing the system we live in. Hold yourself accountable. Hold your friends accountable--your family. Read a book on the subject, or many books.

[Bitburgslim]

He is a racist but African Americans like him.

[waterspindle]

@Bitburgslim he is an intellectual that you don't understand or fear. shut the f ---- up.

[mccoy1303]

When you can Back your Enemy into a corner. Where there's nothing they can do but resort to Petty useless SchoolYard name Calling. You are a true Intellectual Martial Artist! Mr.Cornel West says: "There is no God Worthy of Worship, who doesn't Condem Injustice.". The Jack Ass clears their throat and replys: "You stupid dummyhead!" What you been programed to see, Apples. What's really there, Oranges.

[marzak3]

@magnum3946 Your Words Reflect Your Ignorance and Lack of Moving Forward in the 21st Century. Choose your words of expression carefully... Guess who your children may bring home for dinner?

[PROVERBS241]

cornell west is brilliant reminds me of the old black intellectuals that with their sheer brilliance even in slavery time would of commanded respect from the oppressors he is what ordinary african americans should be living up to not lebron james usher 50 cent lil wayne but men and women who use their BRAIN CELLS and not their bron to influence

[Ravengaurd6]

The man's got all his degrees and perspectives in order...he has his conclusions...if he was a fraud he'd actually be rich....you think a man with his nature can't pull millions you be trippin'

and if you read his work and mull it over...it's more than some con game...

[jfAntoine84]

Vive, Cornell West

[msscott73]

It is rotten that some journalist will play only a part of Rev. Wright's sermon. They didn't play the whole thing. as West mentioned, they didn't in many cases play the whole quote.

[WoWN0oB]

"black faces in black places" oh shit his freestyling

[Glimbaumbo]

This sounds a lot like what ended up happening with the healthcare bill, selling out to corporate interest for a small progressive gain. Very prophetical Dr. West

[shamrock08]

Jeremiah Wright kicks ass! Riz Khan is right about never putting The Cross under the flag and the importance of playing the whole qoute.

[FBHOME1]

@HealthFoodSource well let me say this about that the sisters need to not allow them self be treated like that it don't make no sense to allow your self to be treated in that hummilliating way. the sisters are part of the problem.they are selling out for a few dollars.

[shamrock08]

Evil is not my nature. And I am white. I wont visit the abusive and racist site you write about because I don´t want to be associated with anything like that. But I am sure it´s not proof that white people are evil because I am not evil.

Life over death, good over evil.

[Ravengaurd6]

@shamrock08 I am Black and I back your statement...

[BrownEagle7]

Cornell West is a tremendous mind. Overall, I know my GOD and your GOD does condemn homosexuality but also condemns hate. GOD wants us to change for the better for the sake of Christ and his glorious mission of salvation through faith for all who will truly believe.

[natdarke]

People tend to be prejudice against people from outside their socio-economic group. This happens to some extent in the USA as does it in Khazakstan, UK, Peru or Nigeria. Barack Obama is a good guy, with a difficult job. Being selfish isn't such a good thing. These are very simple ideas and you don't need to be a professor from Harvard or whatever to point out the bleedin' obvious.

[potterscotter]

usual black double talk. just with better words. just another opinion in a world of them. chocolate cities lol

[blabroots]

really. how so?

[ObamaTheRealLoser]

This guy is fraud. He's a puppet.

[potterscotter]

just an intellectual niggger. actually sounds like an idiot

[drumma4lyfe06]

He sounds like an idiot to someone who is ignorant which is you.

[csamuel7]

THANKS!!!!

[WaleedRahman]

The truth speaks for itself. West spoke the truth. God bless him for that.

[911WasDoneByMenWhite]

Cornel West is an intellectual FOOL ! Cornel West had better hope there is no HELL, because he and Michael Jackson will be baking pies together.... without an oven !

[mhmdaida]

Hell is the poor state your mind is in.

[vadum]

Cornel West is so overrated. What a pseudointellectual. All style and no substance.

[fomastephanovitch]

Is there any real difference between Ronald Reagan's facilitation of Gordon Gecko types than what this man would like to do to elevate Reverend Bacon's like Wright?

The defence of Wright seems to be a cronyistic approach from another group vying for a different vision in their grasp at power.

Am I wrong? - Nobody's perfect remember.

[fctchk]

Colonel West:

Intellectual and theologian. The later cancels out the former if we use this definition for intellectual: a person with the capacity for rational or intelligent thought especially when highly developed.

[unchained1978]

To believe or follow religion based on beliefs is just as rational as believing that god does not exist, so therefore being no absolute proof of either case, you can't truly judge someone for their beliefs.

[fctchk]

1. There is a teapot orbiting the sun. 2. There is no teapot orbiting the sun. There is no "absolute proof" of either claim. One person BELIEVES 1. IS true. Another person REASONS that 2. is MORE LIKELY to be true.

You claim: Believing position 1. to be true is "as rational" as reasoning position 2. to be more likely to be true.

Moreover you claim that you can't judge someone for their beliefs. Do you see a witch doctor or a physician when you get sick? Why?

Tsk tsk how judgmental of you.

[unchained1978]

Mostly referring to organized religion and practical beliefs there, however you can't argue that reason provides enough basis for a solid conclusion, as reason does not replace factual evidence but rather is used in its absence.

[fctchk]

When not enough facts are in e.g. cosmology or the facts are subject to constant variation e.g. meteorology we express truth in degrees of probability e.g. respectively the Big Bang Theory; a 30% chance of rain. Reason is a tool that allows us to do that with the greatest degree of precision.

However, Mr. West, the theologian, not only presents god, but specifically his Christian god i.e. Jesus Christ, as incontrovertibly true.

Not rational and consequently not intellectual.

[nevtr]

It's amazing how people can believe they are smart and all the while act idiotic. Another thing,the position you took on Intellectual and Theologian completely canceling out one another is stated in a matter of fact way,which contradicts your later statement. You are assured of the non-existence of god or else you would said "Intellectual and Theologian "might" cancel one another out which would defend your "open mind" position taken in the the later comment...

-I drop knowledge-

[fctchk]

The assumption "You are assured of the non existence of god" fails on two counts.

First, I am not assured of such non-existence. I am assured of the current non-existence or inadequacy of the evidence leading to the belief in a god.

Second, to use "of god" as opposed to "a god" presumes the singularity of such an entity. Until the evidence for one god as opposed to another becomes reliable we'll have to assume as many gods as minds imagining them and none at all.

[nevtr]

Now you're just being difficult,I know there is no evidence to believe in Santa Claus but I might still believe in him...make up your mind,why would you take a position against something that you might believe in,even going so far as to say being a theologian cancels out being intellectual. You know what you meant,so say it. The scripture you used about slaves is out of context,the slaves used by Israel were closer to Indentured Servants than the slaves you're referring to.

[nevtr]

You even made the connection of Irrationality to being a theologian, haha.

Just stop,believe what you want to believe.

[fctchk]

Wests stature as an intellectual could survive his bombastically verbose verging on the demagogic preacheresque delivery were it not for his axiomatic insistence on a Christian god.

If he must insist on a god, although as bereft of evidence as his, he might consider adopting Spinozas. That would at least not carry the burden of fatal contradictions. Moreover, Spinoza's god was arrived at through musings of intellect rather than repetition of dogma.

[fctchk]

06:26 Mr. West: "There's no god worthy of worship who does not condemn injustice"

Here we have Mr. West's god not only "not condemning injustice" but also authorizing and giving instructions on the implementation of injustice:

"You may purchase slaves from the foreigners among you. You may purchase their children treating them as property, passing them on to your children as inheritance. " Leviticus 25:44-46

[fctchk]

Believing in a being (whose nature depends entirely on the person imagining it) for whose existence there is no evidence is not "just as rational" as concluding the evidence to believe in such a being to be inadequate.

There is no absolute proof that the god of the 9/11 hijackers doesn't exist. So by your premise we "can't truly judge" them for their beliefs.

[Ravengaurd6]

@fctchk dude, the god cornel is speaking of and the god you're wasting so much time trying to dispatch are not the same thing and never will be. Humans aren't rational beings...they're rationalizing beings....knowledge is only the sliver of a grain of sand on a beach that is flooded by the black and infinite waters of our own ignorance.... knowledge is what you need to survive...if a man who does his fair share for society has a god in his heart that cannot be unseated, he has done no wrong.

[fctchk]

The Christian god, of whom the right reverend Cornel West is a purveyor, exists no more than Krishna, Allah, Thor or Beelzebub exist. No need to point to what happened before, during or after the Middle Passage to come to that realization.

What is problematic, incongruous, indeed cringe worthy, is Mr West’s blithe and bombastic a priori incorporation of this wholly imagined entity into his oeuvre as if it were real. Rather diminishing of his already dubious stature as a public intellectual.

[Ravengaurd6]

@fctchk I understand that for many intellectuals holding a belief in a higher power can be undermining if not detrimental to his/her reputation, but west is not focusing on his peers, he's focusing on the people...who wallow in that irksome gravy of emotional construction known as God and love....

west values the people and wishes to be close to them. so uses the same medium of understanding and feeling. He's supposed to be an intellectual but he's trying to communicate through intuition.

[MsMaiysha]

Mikeyramone33, forgive me for my comment to you. You are young and unaware and no doubt you know nothing of what sacrafices were made on your behalf by men just like Cornel West. West teaches us to love unconditionally, despite the prevailing limited experiences of our brothers and sisters.. that means you.

[Habitually233]

what is it about cornell west that makes him great? I read his book 'Race Matters' very AVERAGE, I mean if you read original work you will know it....there is nothing original about his work. NOTHING. The whole issue of race is nonsensical, the real issue is what is human nature? Is benevolent? Evil? These are the truly difficult questions and cornell west does not touch on them. Eliminate white supremacy and what do we get? That is a question worth pondering...

[Kinghercules]

I dont think West is great at all. Dr James Smalls (whose vids are on here) is real and original. But better yet Dr. Marimba Ani is always on point. Have you read Yurugu?

Eliminate white supremacy from where?

[bosman1988]

This man is absolutely brilliant. The quickness of his mind and sharpness of his philosophical edge is astounding. Watch him in the film "The Examined Life" to fully understand.

[bmaj7]

Having a black president is in no way a solving of a centuries entrenched system of privilege.While Obama symbolised hope,it is merely that until actual policies and the folks in various positions and places of power actualize said policies.A term in office comes and goes but social forces and prevailing trends are hardly if ever toppled.

[CarringtonVilla]

Judging by the sound of your name, I have a feeling u don't like Obama because of his attitude toward the Palestinian-Israeli problem. Well, if you don't like how democracy works, I'm sure there are many other countries that serve as the paragon of fratnerity, liberty and equality, like Saudi Arabia (which doesn't allow religious freedom), Iran (which executes gays) or even China (which executes journalists for not toeing in line with the CCP).

[svenso777]

cornell west at his best.

for all people outside of america it is easy to see all this, and the problems of the american hatred that is so inbreed in its white ruling classes and the white in america who fear that they have somthing to loose by letting go of thier racsist nieve ideals, but most americans seem to close to the truth to be able to see

let cornell help you take a step back from yourself

live up .live in love

[CarringtonVilla]

The USA is statistically more ethnically diverse than most Western European countries, almost all of Middle Eastern countries and definitely all of Far Eastern countries.

[mikeyramone33]

chocolate cities? black studies dept.? lol affirmative action intellectual.pampered fool.

[southbobby]

Black men aren't pampered in America.

Less intelligent people as yourself use words like pampered to down play West achievements.You are not educated, and im positive you're not ivy league material.

[MsMaiysha]

I've just visited your page. Your comments represented your limited and self serving inabilities. You are representative of why we are in the mess we are in. you are incapable of thinking outside your small little world. But, guess what, when I pray, when I work towards a better world, I am praying and working for even the spiritually and emotionally crippled like you! ;)

[mikeyramone33]

well #1 all my actions are self serveing,my family comes first.i have caused no mess,i niether borrow nor owe.blck racism is a disaster for america.whites are the only true minority in the world.

[lkout71]

west needs to join wu tang. with ol' dirty gone, there is an opening. class class class, black black black, truth truth truth. geezus people, really? he's a fukin toolbag hatemonger who is living in the 70's. fact check: 2008, we have a "black" president. i guess the race baiting will continue.

[DrCruel]

One of the most brilliant Negro racists of our time. He has been instrumental in making Black supremacism respectable amongst Leftist circles, and has made for himself a successful career in academia despite lacking any legitimate credentials whatsoever.

He reminds me of the Duke in Huckleberry Finn. Truly an accomplished huckster, harkening back to our oldest American traditions.

[mayostein]

hahahaha. dont listen to him. read his book democracy matters.

[WorldWideTVShow]

What the hell are you talking about? Dr.West is harvard educated. If he didn't have any credentials he would be a professor at Princeton.

[trustjms]

Dr. West is an inspiration to all peoples except the greedy, ignorant, and/or racist.

[forecharlee]

Nice to hear a Christian who cares about justice. Well said Mr West.

[mayostein]

true that. good comment.

[Shaft2009]

Cornel West is a smooth honey drink that gives taste to contention ideas. He is my hero, I wish I have a chance to sit with him someday and exchange ideas. He enobles the black race with intelligence. He makes it easy for an African-American to identify with books and intelectualism.

[heybamanba]

edeto16 that is

[CyrilCeez]

Dr. West usually articulates everyone's reservations.

[edeto16]

True Gospel of Jesus's CHRISTIANS of ALL races :

SEARCH 3

Black Liberation Theology

Obama's Twisted Mind

CAUGHT BARACK OBAMA LYING

The doctrine of Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) is NOT The TRUE gospel of the Lord Jesus, but a FALSE GOSPEL: The Black Liberation Theology . IT IS A RACE CULT !

THE OBAMAS ARE SUPREMACISTS IN SHEEPS CLOTHES,

Do not Damn USA! Vote your CONSCIENCE !

[heybamanba]

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. Go hand out pamphlets from your scripture covered pickup truck and camper, physcho

[chufuss]

I would vote for Dr.West

[dennisdeem]

isn't he amazing?!? he just articulated my very reservations about Barack even though I will more than likely be casting my vote for him.

[sade8378]

He has such a refreshing effect I think as opposed to the "patriotic" optimism that most media feeds us dailyyyy!!I'm sooo frustrated I can't articulate the extent of my anger at the constant disrespect to our intellect that i feel whenever i tune into so-called news!!

[dennisdeem]

here, here! I'm with you. I do get off on watching Olbermann but sometimes it gets so un-news-like (is that a triple adjective lol)that I'm forced to change the channel.

[mayostein]

HERE!

[MS2BleHomoNYLL187u]

The truth hurts but why should be afraid to tell it because it sounds harsh and hurts white amerikkkas feelings? They created that harsh reality for business purposes 500 years ago and our Black reality has been the WORST throughout history yet it is the most sugar coated and overlooked... why is it that the indians get casinos, fake jews get money, latinos get to force espanol as a 2nd language, koreans & asians get top business grants and precedent over the true builders of this country?!!

[jklasdfjdfksl]

the symbolism of having the first african-american president is a great thing. it is always nice to see the downtrodden succeed, but how ironic is it that obama supports all the interests that trod down on the people. i can do without that empty symbolism, playing on the suffering of a people for generations to support the same type of oppressor is a horrendous crime and obama should be ashamed.

[jklasdfjdfksl]

the public opinion in the US demands a progressive agenda, not more bourgeois liberal rubbish out of the democrats.

[brick4sale]

Well I am sure you have done thorough studies to prove their IQ level, and have lived everywhere on the planet.

[internationallawman]

Well, I don't know that much about Africans, but they seem to have done a lot better here than African-Americans, if what you say is true.

Truth be told, black people have really gotten screwed in the USA, what with slavery and jim crow and all. I'm glad to hear that recent immigrants from Africa are having an easier time.

It's immigrants that really make America what it is, if you ask me. I'm sure you agree. I can't understand people who are threatened by people different from themselves. :)

[bgnyc1]

Race and social status often go hand in hand in places like America. I would offer that social status is not the same as economic status, and economic status actually dictates your access to resources, not social status.

[internationallawman]

In places like America there really only two things that determine social status: race and money.

No need to make it complicated.

[brick4sale]

Mainly money

[GreenGoody]

What?

Where did you get that information from?

I think you may have your facts wrong.

[kroses]

Very enlightening. A very intelligent man. How can anyone say that Hillary Clinton's presentation in the "so-called" "Compassion Forum" was better than Senator Obama's? I found her's to be dull, tedious, and full of the usual pretense that is so characteristic of her!!!

[mosiaque]

This guy is a real blooter

[allenamerica]

we are lucky to live in the time of cornel west

[MicrowaveDisplaycom]

He said, "my dear brother Barack Obama and his campaign constitute a unprecedented historical phenomena".

Parse that sentence for proper grammar.

Maybe it's some kind of "intellectual" code...

[MicrowaveDisplaycom]

Sorry, I mean "legendary intellectual" code.

[atlscribe]

Oh my, I wonder I how graduated from Harvard making meaningless grammatical errors like that.

[atlscribe]

lol....it's been a long day.

[jgwphilly1969]

Because he has read virtually every major text written in the Western Canon. More than you and your momma combined

[mengwise36]

Don't worry, your ignorance astounds the rest of us too. Putting you up against Cornel West, I am sure you are the one with low intelligence so unless you are black, you just proved the falsehood of your own statement.

[uchoob00]

why do they refer to themselves as 'chocolate'? Thats so silly. And if you are for the cross, why do you promote homosexuality and abortion? These people are a bunch of phoneys. So called "intellectuals"

[mengwise36]

homo and abortion? You are sooo predictable it is painful. People like you are the direct proof that the so called GOD does not exist.

[uchoob00]

Nobody asked you to believe

[uchoob00]

What are you on about? If you don't believe in the Bible, fine. Move along.

[mengwise36]

So you can only have a discussion with someone who believes in the Bible? And those who interpret the Bible differently than you are "phoneys". So the only people you can have a discussion with are your kind of people. Then what is there to discuss? Then why are you here?

[micspeaker]

this indian basards sometimes aljazeera have britsh or amercan bastards some time indian but n jewish these fukin arabs bastards can never win over israel in four days irael fuk there four countries look at the map of israel how small they r n fuking the whole fukin arab world fuk aljazeera