"Niggerization of America" - Cornel West

The fundamental irony of American history is that we follow the better angels of our nature when we honestly and compassionately confront the devilish realities we would like to ignore or deny. The founding of this most American of periodicals was motivated, in part, by a courageous resistance against the American institution of white- supremacist slavery. We must never forget that when this grand intellectual forum was established, the precious U.S. Constitution was, in practice, a pro-slavery document. To put it clearly yet crudely, the deep democratization of America was pitted against the ugly niggerization in America.

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The American Idea
Scholars, novelists, politicians, artists, and others look ahead to the future of the American idea.

Democratization is the best of the American idea—in principle and practice. The sublime notion that each and every ordinary person has a dignity that warrants his or her voice being heard in shaping the destiny of society remains a revolutionary force in the 21st century—in the face of the power of autocratic empires, plutocratic states, and xenophobic communities. Niggerization is neither simply the dishonoring and devaluing of black people nor solely the economic exploitation and political disenfranchisement of them. It is also the wholesale attempt to impede democratization—to turn potential citizens into intimidated, fearful, and helpless subjects.

Since the ugly events of 9/11, we have witnessed the attempt of the Bush administration—with elites in support and populists complacent—to promote the niggerization of the American people. Like the myopic white greed, fear, and hatred that fueled the niggerization of black people, right-wing greed, fear, and hatred have made all of us feel intimidated, fearful, and helpless in the face of the terrorist attacks. And, as in the 19th century, we've almost lost our democracy.

The future of the American idea—both then and now, here and abroad—depends on the vision, courage, and determination of decent and compassionate people to engage in Socratic questioning of the powers that be, to take the risk of prophetic witness, and to preserve a hope for democratization. Our nation and world now have the blues, so we must learn from our blues people—from the grand examples of Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, Myles Horton, and Muriel Rukeyser. The American practice of niggerization must die for the American idea of democratization to live—yet again.
-Cornel West

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[88hamrick]

Why not tell your young "nigglets" da truef. Dat da only ding dat truely makes America great is da "FAC" dat da "WHITE MAN" gi you free food,free houseing and free medical if Africa or another country would do da same ding you would be dare infecting their social structure like da disease dat black people are da Rev.Manning is so right black people are stupid day did nutin for dem selfs before da "WHITE MAN" came along what would da black man do if da "WHITE MAN" STOPED FEEDIN AND HOUSEIN DEM

[RndmMexican]

@88hamrick

Huh?

[RndmMexican]

We are entering neo-feudalism. You are nothing but a surf unless you rise up from within first.

[MrWeknowNow]

Tell it like it is WEST! Great Video

[RndmMexican]

@MrWeknowNow

YEA! Brother west has been add it for a long time know. It's time for people to listen.

Thanks for commenting.

[Tetzukai]

In fact, it isn't helping the issue at all.

[Tetzukai]

@88hamrick Your poor grammar and mispelling is a big irony.

[2inchtube]

Dr West is one of the best at being black. He's not a hooded sluggard walking these American streets of fear although he could of been. He;s led + spread social common sense this nation needs, but Cornel + the few can't do it alone. What is the 'it,' replay + listen, start a Boy Scouts in your home, get active in church, school, start some where? HOPE not DOPE.

[DeadInLA]

Fellow brotha Latino, calling for Dr. West for President 2012!!!

[freeblackp]

Now that's courage there. Speak the truth, Brotha West!