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Cornel West
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Race Matters Paperback – March 29, 1994

by Cornel West (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 424 ratings
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There is a newer edition of this item:

Race Matters, 25th Anniversary: With a New Introduction
Race Matters, 25th Anniversary: With a New Introduction
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With a new introduction, the groundbreaking classic Race Matters affirms its position as the bestselling, most influential, and most original articulation of the urgent issues in America's ongoing racial debate.

Cornel West is at the forefront of thinking about race. In Race Matters he addresses a range of issues, from the crisis in black leadership and the myths surrounding black sexuality to affirmative action, the new black conservatism, and the strained relations between Jews and African Americans. He never hesitates to confront the prejudices of all his readers or wavers in his insistence that they share a common destiny. Bold in its thought and written with a redemptive passion grounded in the tradition of the African-American church, Race Matters is a book that is at once challenging and deeply healing.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    159 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vintage
  4. Publication date
    March 29, 1994
  5. Dimensions
    5.13 x 0.51 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0679749861
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0679749868
  8. Lexile measure
    1460
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

West's collection of eight cogent and profoundly moral essays on American race relations was a one-week PW bestseller.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

" [A] compelling blend of philosphy, sociology and political commentary...It directly takes on some of the most volatile issues facing American society today...One can only applaud the ferocious moral vision and astute intellect on display in these pages."--The New York Times

"As moving as any of the sermons of the Rev. Martin Luther King, as profound as W.E.B. Du Bois's The Souls of Black Folk, as exhilarating in their offering of liberation as James Baldwin's early essays."--Washington Post Book World

"Exciting...illuminating..West's thinking consistently challenges the conventional wisdom..[and] confronts the reader with profound and unsettling insights." --Newsday

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; Reprint edition (March 29, 1994)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 159 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0679749861
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0679749868
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1460
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.13 x 0.51 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 424 ratings

About the author

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Cornel West

Cornel West

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Cornel West is a prominent and provocative democratic intellectual. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and obtained his MA and PhD in philosophy at Princeton. He has taught at Union Theological Seminary (where he has recently returned to teach), Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Paris. He has written nineteen books and edited thirteen books. He is best known for his classic Race Matters, published by Beacon Press in 1993. His latest books are Black Prophetic Fire, which offers a fresh perspective on six revolutionary African American leaders (Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King Jr., Ella Baker, Malcolm X, and Ida B. Wells) and The Radical King, a collection of MLK’s writings curated and introduced by Prof. West to reclaim Dr. King’s prophetic and radical vision as both a civil rights leader and—more broadly—as a human right activist. Both books were published by Beacon Press.

Cornel West appears frequently on Real Time with Bill Maher, The Colbert Report, CNN and C-SPAN, and he makes numerous appearances speaking to audiences large and small on subjects ranging from racial justice and queer rights to climate justice. Prof. West has appeared in over twenty-five documentaries and films, including Examined Life, Call & Response, Sidewalk, and Stand. He has also made three spoken-word albums, including Never Forget, collaborating with Prince, Jill Scott, Andre 3000, Talib Kweli, KRS-One, and the late Gerald Levert. His recent spoken-word interludes were featured on Terence Blanchard’s Choices (which won the Grand Prix in France for the best jazz album of the year for 2009).

He has recently been deeply involved in the Black Lives Matter protests and was among those arrested in Ferguson in 2015. Cornel West has a passion to communicate in writings and orations, through music and film, and in solidarity with groups and faith communities committed to justice in order to keep alive the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.—a legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice.

Photo credit Sigrid Estrada.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

Kevin Tatum
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic West
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2020
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It's a good read that is well thought out. It should be used in secondary schools. It's worth every second.
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nadav haber
5.0 out of 5 stars I'll keep coming back to it
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2002
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I read this book from a non-American prespective. As I don't live in America but in Israel, I can't help but read a book such as this while constantly comparing West's analysis to my own environment.
At the beginning of the book, the immediate comparison was to the oppression of the Palestinians. But as I progressed, there was a shift to the situation of the Ethiopian immigrants in Israel. I was amazed at how easily West's words can be applied to the situation of the Ethiopians in Israel. I quoted a few insights from the book to Ethiopian friends, and there was a common feeling as if West wrote the book about them - and not about the American race matters. Of course the difficult chapter dealing with black Antisemitism was interesting as an American phenomena, without direct implications to the Ethiopian situation (here I could go back to the Palestinian issue).
In the end, West's book proved to be a bold attack on racism and racist institutions, and did provide some interesting directions for change. I must disagree with those that were disappointed by West's "failure" to bring up coherent solutions. A book such as this should not be expected to provide a detailed solution layout, but instead give food for thought, and point at the directions which have not been taken yet.
This the book does. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the issue of race and politics.
94 people found this helpful
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Kat
5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition and a great deal!
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
Great condition. Amazon has honestly never failed me with books. They are always in great condition unless otherwise noted. As a college student - I love notes in books, so I actually look for books that have been used versus buying new. It is as if I get to read the thought transformation of another student/reader! I love it. Anyways, this book had some notes in it, nothing too significant but I appreciated it. No bent corners and the pages were all in tact. The binding was secure as well.

There are always a couple things I check right away when I receive a book: binding, pagination, edition/copyright, and overall condition. I have never been disappointed with a book I've bought of Amazon.

I plan to buy every book I can off of Amazon for the rest of my undergraduate career and all throughout law school.
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The Gustavich Effect
4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2015
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My interest in this book came from a sociology class and a literature course I had in college around the time the book was published. I graduated years ago and cherish my memory of discussions and lectures in both.

One of my favorite lecturers at that time was an ambassador to South Africa and I hope to someday attend a lecture by Cornel West. I hope to be prepared by reading this and his wonderful memoir. I enjoyed his memoir more as it is celebration and far less clinical.
4 people found this helpful
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Francisco Raposo
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opener
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2020
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I'm a white European immigrant and, believe it or not, we get told to go back to our country too by other "whites" while been in the country longer. It's always perplexed me how whites who come to the US to escape persecution in Europe can become racists and identify with white nationalists within just a generation or two. This book answers that question. It explains how racism and white nationalism keeps marginalized groups separated and fighting one another.
One person found this helpful
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hilton wright
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2021
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Dr. West book inspired me back in 2005 and it still does. A book that has shape and reshape my ideology on race, culture, and current events.
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Ben Wechsler
5.0 out of 5 stars Critically important work on the subject of race relations in the United States.
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
A very interesting look at race relations and race issues from the perspective of the black person. This is certainly not the only book I have read on this topic, but West really goes into a lot of detail in a short piece. Excellent work.
2 people found this helpful
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Artbart
3.0 out of 5 stars Race still matters
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
West is one of the most insightful writers about race of our time. His first premise, that the liberal understanding of racism does not go far enough, is the best contribution from this book. Subsequent chapters appear to be somewhat dated--not surprising since this was published in 1993. The missing element from the liberal analysis is the psychological damage inflicted on generation after generation of African American children, who still grow up feeling inferior. Internalized racism leads to self-destructive behavior, which in turn feeds the conservative explanation for poverty. The right wing blames poverty on the poor--they don't work hard enough. Welfare dependancy can become a problem, but the myth that the poor do not work should not still be so widely believed. Most poor do work--at Walmart, MacDonald's and other places that don't pay enough to buy groceries. How do we correct the self-image of black children? Integration hasn't helped. Black students score consistently below grade level on standardized tests when they come from white classrooms. "Race Matters" needs to be updated to address current politics and beliefs. Media literacy would help, as would better schools that teach critical thinking.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

rene dansereau
5.0 out of 5 stars most informative
Reviewed in Canada on June 27, 2014
Verified Purchase
all the arguments were well thought out, the presentation is excellent, Mr. West's perspective is a true mentor from whom everyone can benefit
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Michael Hagos
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but there's one flaw
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
Great book, but there's one flaw: p. 94: “GI benefits to particular courageous Americans.”
For comments, go to http://lovefreedomorquestionwhoyouare.blogspot.se/
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Vee
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is a must read for an informative discussion on race relations that is still relevant today in both the US and the UK.
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Amina H Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2015
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Excellent
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
good, but the cover was teared at the corner.
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