I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cornel West , public intellectual and principled religious man that he is, but currently I am reading his book "Democracy Matters", and certain things in it I have to completely disagree with.
There are several occasions in the book in which he talks about "america's deep democratic tradition", while acknowledging slavery and jim crow . Now, I understand that there were always people fighting against slavery and jim crow laws, but the fact remains that the very foundation of the country, and empire for that matter, rests on the bones of the genocide of the Native people of this continent, and the labour of the slaves. This is amerikkka's real tradition, without which it would not exist.
Another point he mentions on more than one occasion, perhaps in an effort to give "equal time" to both sides, is the "horrifying suicide bombings in israel killing civilians", and comparing that to the u.s. sponsored israeli state terror against the Palestinian population. Again, he does talk about the 3 billion dollars a year that the u.s. government gives to the state of israel, but to equate the suicide bombers with the fighter jets raining death upon children living in refugee camps is ludicrous. But I suppose it is the same as saying that children throwing rocks is the equivalent of men shooting at them from tanks. Since the year 2000, 1,196 israeli citizens had been killed, vs. 9,136 Palestinians. Stats take from here . And no, I don't believe the rhetoric about the israeli army trying to avoid civilian casualties. Complete and utter bullshit.
Despite all of these criticisms, I will finish the book , and continue to listen to Mr. Cornel West. He is worthy of our respect. And watch this video . It is well worth your time.
There are several occasions in the book in which he talks about "america's deep democratic tradition", while acknowledging slavery and jim crow . Now, I understand that there were always people fighting against slavery and jim crow laws, but the fact remains that the very foundation of the country, and empire for that matter, rests on the bones of the genocide of the Native people of this continent, and the labour of the slaves. This is amerikkka's real tradition, without which it would not exist.
Another point he mentions on more than one occasion, perhaps in an effort to give "equal time" to both sides, is the "horrifying suicide bombings in israel killing civilians", and comparing that to the u.s. sponsored israeli state terror against the Palestinian population. Again, he does talk about the 3 billion dollars a year that the u.s. government gives to the state of israel, but to equate the suicide bombers with the fighter jets raining death upon children living in refugee camps is ludicrous. But I suppose it is the same as saying that children throwing rocks is the equivalent of men shooting at them from tanks. Since the year 2000, 1,196 israeli citizens had been killed, vs. 9,136 Palestinians. Stats take from here . And no, I don't believe the rhetoric about the israeli army trying to avoid civilian casualties. Complete and utter bullshit.
Despite all of these criticisms, I will finish the book , and continue to listen to Mr. Cornel West. He is worthy of our respect. And watch this video . It is well worth your time.
