"Race Matters"

Paper Summary:

This analysis of Cornell West's book, 'Race Matters', examines the current situation of black society primarily in the United States. This book gives the reader an understanding of the damage that contemporary liberalism actually does to the black community and the inherent self destructive nature of black America. It states Cornell West's ideas of improving race relations which promise some possibility for success. Cornell West's argument centers around a censorship of the market forces which is like a herald for the utter loss of freedom and the enslavement of capitalism to politically correct liberal ideologies. This book encourages black people and their leaders to work among themselves to shrug off the spirit of depression and irresponsibility, so that a future policy of reconciliation and mutual respect may actually exist.

From the Paper:

"One would be hard put to disagree that the black culture in America currently seems to be largely one of nihilism, despair, and cultural unrest. Black women are more likely to give birth to out of wedlock children, and to try to subsist on public aid. Black people in general are far more likely to commit serious crimes and serve serious time. In fact, a majority of black men have served time in prison for one reason or another. Black neighborhoods are more likely to have high crime rates and be plagued by sweeping urban decay. Graffiti is more common; the houses are less likely to be kept up, the yards less likely to be groomed, and the entire appearance of the neighborhood is sure to be more dirty and unkempt. This lack of respect and concern for public and private property is one of the surest signs that this cultural depression does exist. In the same way that clinical depression and mental illness is often accompanied by laziness and lack of personal upkeep, so cultural depression surely results in a mass refusal to beautify and clean up the neighborhoods. Artistically as well, black culture is represented by lyrics and music that defies conventional morality, religion, and hope. Rap lyrics are far more likely than any other popular music to glorify violence against women and outsiders such as "faggots," and even more likely to promote black on black crime and gang warfare. Black "art" tends to promote not only rabid violence, but also drug use, irresponsible sexuality, a lack of family concern, and poor usage of the American language."

More papers on "Race Matters":

• Analytical Essay # 72184 : "Cornel West's "Race Matters"
• Book Review # 27141 : "Race Matters"
• Analytical Essay # 141135 : "Does Race Matter In Politics?"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: