Cornel West, author and noted American civil-rights activist, discussed the progress America has made in racial relations, but stressed that there is still much room for improvement at Emory’s 10th annual State of Race address Wednesday.

West, author of the internationally-renowned novel Race Matters, first warned his audience members that he had come to Emory to unnerve them and to force them to consider the unpleasant realities that America has not yet reached a post-racial era.

“You can’t talk about race in America without talking about years of white supremacy and without raising serious questions,” he said.

According to West, a professor of African-American studies and religion at Princeton University, racism is still a very prevalent issue in America.

“White supremacist lies still exist in the mind of colored people,” West said. “We are less racial but we are not post racial.”

He said racism still exists because people are complacent and indifferent.

“In order for racism to truly end a part of you must die; there is no rebirth without death,” West said.

He explained for people to move past the preconceived notions that society has taught them, they must actively examine and let go of all of the false ideologies.

According to West, the country needs to question their beliefs and what is going on around them.

West then discussed the Reagan Era and the Bush administration.

“It’s amazing how we can give $700 billion to investment banks but when it came for Bush to sign a bill giving seven billion dollars to aid disabled children he couldn’t find the money; the hypocrisy is overwhelming,” he said.

It was morally corrupt for the government to turn its back on the weak meanwhile helping the rich, he said.

“I’m not demonizing the rich; I just can’t stand greed. I love rich folk,” he added with a laugh.

West ended his speech by giving his views on Obama’s presidency.

He said he supported President Obama during the presidential elections because of the change he represented for America.

“On the day of Obama’s inauguration I break danced all day but the next day I woke up and became his biggest critic; I told him I was going to do that,” West said.

He made a connection between Obama and Abraham Lincoln by emphasizing that just as Lincoln’s advisors encouraged him to abolish slavery, Americans need to put pressure on Obama to enact change.

“Just like Lincoln’s supporters forced him to be great, we must force Obama to be great,” West said. “There’s great potential in him but we as citizens must put the pressure on him to straighten up so people cannot ride all over him.”

After his speech, West held a 30-minute question-and-answer session with the audience after which he signed copies of his new memoir, Brother West Living and Loving Out Loud.

College Council Vice President of Communications Alok Tripathi and College President Reema Dedania wrote in an e-mail to the Wheel, “We hope that West’s message will inspire people to become an advocate for racial justice and remind people that civic engagement and dialogue are important regardless of one’s personal views.”

This year’s State of Race was the first year the event has been made open to the public. In past years, the event was only open to Emory students, staff and faculty members.

Previous State of Race speakers have included a Rwandan exile and political commentators who spoke about Western media’s portrayal of Arabs.

According to Dedania and Tripathi, State of Race is meant to serve to facilitate dialogue within the Emory community about issues surrounding race, identity, and equity.

“College Council chose to do this to assert Emory as a leader in the Atlanta community on the social issue of race relations,” Tripathi and Dedania wrote.

College Council hosted the event with the Center for Ethics.

West’s message about Socratic thinking had a profound effect on College junior Shannon Fleming.

“I was very inspired by Dr. West’s message about questioning our ideologies. I am definitely going to take some time to think about and reevaluate the ideas and beliefs I’ve been taught,” said Fleming.

According to College freshman Catherine Muse, the event was an enlightening experience.

“This speech has been the highlight of my Emory experience so far. It really made me think about my role as a citizen of this country and about what I could do as an individual to change things,” Muse said. “I think that Dr. West has truly mastered the art of public speaking; he was very engaging and inspiring.”

— Contact Pooja Dhruv.