Hope on A Tightrope by Dr. Cornel West

 

I am willing to struggle against all forms of racism until the day I die.

The book is compact like a gift book. However, it is filled to the brim with Cornel West's philosophies and experiences. Whenever I would pick up this book, my body would fully relax. I knew the words would take me to the inner side of myself. At times I disagreed with Dr. West. For example, when he spoke of the Blues as a hopeful type of music. I've always thought the Blues sad. However, I have to admit not listening to much Blues. I am anxious to listen to it with the author's thoughts in mind. Perhaps, the Blues is hopeful. From music like Hip Hop and Jazz and other types of music he shares his opinions. One other thought of his amazed me. He believes music is more powerful than literature. However, he quoted from literature more than he did music. He wrote or quoted Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O'Neil, etc.

I agree music speaks to every man in a unique way. I would hope though that future children would be led to think of literature as more important than music. I believe it's much easier for "our folk" to get in touch with music than for a young person to sit down and  read The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers or Othello by Shakespeare. I feel that literature lasts a lifetime. As we change literature changes with us; However, music is here and gone tomorrow. What's hot today might easily be forgotten for what's hot the next day. Of course, that is very sad because musicians work very hard to touch the core of our souls.

Just as I disagreed with him on those points there were far more which led me down a path of enlightenment. I would nod my head for a familiar idea or a long pause for a new idea he gathered and weaved in understandable language. His thoughts about love and service and what to think or how to think of your roots no matter whether you're Black, Irish, Russian, Polish were breathtaking. I applaud him for the love of his people, us, the Black people around him. It's important to help each other in this struggle against racism, povery and miseducation.

I have heard about his disagreements with President Barack O'bama. When the book was written, Barack Obama had not been elected yet. Dr. Cornel West clearly says he voted for our now President Barack O'bama. He also fully describes the areas in which he disagrees with Barack O'bama. He also clearly sheds light on his deep love for Barack O'bama. Really, I don't think there is a bone of animosity in this man. I only wish his ideas were read in schools. If I had read his book earlier in life, I would have been a servant to my people like Rosa Parks. It's impossible to read Hope on a Tightrope without being changed or becoming more noble as a person.

I also discovered Cornel West is a deeply spiritual man. In other words, He is a committed Christian. He writes about Jesus' death on the cross. Then, relates Jesus' cross to the cross or suffering all Christians must carry during their walk with The Lord. His spirituality is not just for Sunday. It is an every day love  practiced by the willingness to go to jail for our Black people. He is humane in all ways.

The book covers family, leadership, Social justice, courage and identity and race. I have passed the book on to my husband to read. Then, I hope to pass it on to my sons. I passed on the book, The Narrative of Frederick Douglass to one of my sons. The narrative moved me that much. So to place Cornel West's book, Hope on A Tightrope beside Frederick Douglass' book tells how I feel about the book. In the end, I saw my failures as a Black woman and what to do, if I have the courage, to change those failures in to successes before I leave this earth. cornelwest

In the back of my edition of  Hope on A Tightrope there is also a cd. By the way, I was thoroughly surprised how much this Princeton Professor loves music. I have to admit understanding music and being willing to listen to it and not call it noise is a way into the heart of young people.