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abbsentminded's review against another edition
5.0
Cornel West masterfully articulates the necessity of an alliance between the prophetic black theological tradition and progressive Marxism to attempt their mutual vision of liberation and (true) democracy.
This book really served as my introduction to black liberation theology. Toward this end, West's historical overview of both black prophetic tradition and socialism were effective and helpful. I'm eager to study his bibliography now and read some more Du Bois, Malcolm X, George Washington Woodbey, and James Cone (not to mention lit from Baldwin/Morrison) now that I have this essential context.
This summarizes his thesis well: "Revolutionary Christian perspective and praxis must remain anchored in the prophetic Christian tradition in the Afro-American experience which provides the norms of individuality and democracy; guided by the cultural outlook of the Afro-American humanist tradition which promotes the vitality and vigor of black life; and informed by the social theory and political praxis of progressive Marxism which proposes to approximate as close as is humanly possible the precious values of individuality and democracy as soon as God's will be done." (146)
This book really served as my introduction to black liberation theology. Toward this end, West's historical overview of both black prophetic tradition and socialism were effective and helpful. I'm eager to study his bibliography now and read some more Du Bois, Malcolm X, George Washington Woodbey, and James Cone (not to mention lit from Baldwin/Morrison) now that I have this essential context.
This summarizes his thesis well: "Revolutionary Christian perspective and praxis must remain anchored in the prophetic Christian tradition in the Afro-American experience which provides the norms of individuality and democracy; guided by the cultural outlook of the Afro-American humanist tradition which promotes the vitality and vigor of black life; and informed by the social theory and political praxis of progressive Marxism which proposes to approximate as close as is humanly possible the precious values of individuality and democracy as soon as God's will be done." (146)
juntakinte1968's review against another edition
3.0
An engaging premise. The middle chapter on the various strands of resistance, with an emphasis on humanists and art is by far the best. I'd love for someone to compile all of Dr. West's critical writings on literature one day.
alfonsoromero's review against another edition
5.0
Given the turmoil going on in our world, I decided to give this a read.
I've been in a conundrum lately, because I continue to identify as a believer in the literal resurrection and everything classically considered orthothodox. At the same time, I strongly believe that Jesus preaches a message of the coming of his present kingdom. Christ demands us to live out his reality in the Spirit, and do our best to bring about His kingdom now.
Marxism is a beautiful partner for bringing that about. Our goals may be different, but we share much in common functionally.
But where can an American Christian find a church that is urgent about the gospel, yet also urgent about living it out?
Cornel West provides a way forward. He provides a roadmap for hope.
I've been in a conundrum lately, because I continue to identify as a believer in the literal resurrection and everything classically considered orthothodox. At the same time, I strongly believe that Jesus preaches a message of the coming of his present kingdom. Christ demands us to live out his reality in the Spirit, and do our best to bring about His kingdom now.
Marxism is a beautiful partner for bringing that about. Our goals may be different, but we share much in common functionally.
But where can an American Christian find a church that is urgent about the gospel, yet also urgent about living it out?
Cornel West provides a way forward. He provides a roadmap for hope.
moreteamorecats's review against another edition
4.0
Those who have had Cornel West as their teacher never forget him. For the rest of us, this book is as close as we get to the West of the classroom. We watch him posing questions, opening up problems by typologies, bringing his students immense intellectual distances in a short time, and making it all look easy.
The core argument here is about the roots of White supremacy; the core narrative, about African-Americans' political response to that ideology. West is an independent leftist, beholden to no party or theory: He draws on Foucault, various Marxisms, and most of all (though not always overtly) on the prophetic insight of Black Christians into their spiritual situation. The book makes a terrific conversation-starter. As a scholar, I want something meatier, more complete; but as a teacher, I can't ask for a more inspiring model.
Much of what's in here was West's half of a course, co-taught at Union Theological Seminary with [a:James Cone|17438|James H. Cone|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1281326117p2/17438.jpg], on Black theology and Marxism. I mention that, not simply to toot my school's horn, but to explain this book's striking aporias. West is presupposing that you know a particular telling of Black theology and history, represented by Cone's essays of the late '70s and early '80s (if you need something in book form, try [b:God of the Oppressed|271652|God of the Oppressed|James H. Cone|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173310171s/271652.jpg|263367] or [b:For My People|2737548|For My People|Margaret Walker|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|2763199]) and Gayraud Wilmore's [b:Black Religion and Black Radicalism|1387540|Black Religion and Black Radicalism An Interpretation of the Religious History of African Americans|Gayraud S. Wilmore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1183175871s/1387540.jpg|1377605].
The core argument here is about the roots of White supremacy; the core narrative, about African-Americans' political response to that ideology. West is an independent leftist, beholden to no party or theory: He draws on Foucault, various Marxisms, and most of all (though not always overtly) on the prophetic insight of Black Christians into their spiritual situation. The book makes a terrific conversation-starter. As a scholar, I want something meatier, more complete; but as a teacher, I can't ask for a more inspiring model.
Much of what's in here was West's half of a course, co-taught at Union Theological Seminary with [a:James Cone|17438|James H. Cone|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1281326117p2/17438.jpg], on Black theology and Marxism. I mention that, not simply to toot my school's horn, but to explain this book's striking aporias. West is presupposing that you know a particular telling of Black theology and history, represented by Cone's essays of the late '70s and early '80s (if you need something in book form, try [b:God of the Oppressed|271652|God of the Oppressed|James H. Cone|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173310171s/271652.jpg|263367] or [b:For My People|2737548|For My People|Margaret Walker|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|2763199]) and Gayraud Wilmore's [b:Black Religion and Black Radicalism|1387540|Black Religion and Black Radicalism An Interpretation of the Religious History of African Americans|Gayraud S. Wilmore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1183175871s/1387540.jpg|1377605].
nicholasbobbitt1997's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really interesting look into how Christianity effects African Americans' world.
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