Tonight Matt and I had the pleasure of attending Cornel West's lecture at Weber State University. First, WOW! Listening to Cornel West speak was inspiring. However, I'm not so sure it was his words that always did the inspiring. It was more his rhythym and cadence. I imagine the speech we heard tonight to be what it might have been like to hear the great Martin Luther King, Jr. opine on the mall in Washington DC. These Southern ministers are something else. Both were such powerful orators.
Cornel is gifted with words. And while his elocution was beautiful to behold, I was a bit disappointed at his pessimism. Additionally, I found much of what he said to be like "tinkling brass and sounding cymbals" for he made much thunderous sound in the name of poverty and injustice, but he never once proffered any solutions. Tis easy to find what's wrong. Tis much harder--and so much more inspiriting-- to outline how to make it right.
But I do have to give him props for his poetic pontifications. I especially liked his thoughts on the difference between greatness and success. Milly Vanilli was successful. They won 2 Grammys. But, DUDE, they were lip syncing! Not necessarily great, you know? Aretha Franklin, now she was great!
We should aspire to greatness for success is subjective and superficial. Great souls live great and they die great. Character, courage, and compassion are their legacies. So what type of human being do you want to be?
Cornel, I appreciated your performance tonight. It taught me two things. One, I want my words to move people because they are true and not just because they are passionate delivered. Second, I want to be great more than I want to be successful.
Finally, I don't want to only be aware of poverty, racism, prejudice, and injustice. I want to do something about it. I do not want to be--in the words of Cornel West--"A successful person,well adjusted to injustice."
I trust Spirit will show me how I can assist those in need of assistance so that I don't live a privileged life of indifference.
Cornel is gifted with words. And while his elocution was beautiful to behold, I was a bit disappointed at his pessimism. Additionally, I found much of what he said to be like "tinkling brass and sounding cymbals" for he made much thunderous sound in the name of poverty and injustice, but he never once proffered any solutions. Tis easy to find what's wrong. Tis much harder--and so much more inspiriting-- to outline how to make it right.
But I do have to give him props for his poetic pontifications. I especially liked his thoughts on the difference between greatness and success. Milly Vanilli was successful. They won 2 Grammys. But, DUDE, they were lip syncing! Not necessarily great, you know? Aretha Franklin, now she was great!
We should aspire to greatness for success is subjective and superficial. Great souls live great and they die great. Character, courage, and compassion are their legacies. So what type of human being do you want to be?
Cornel, I appreciated your performance tonight. It taught me two things. One, I want my words to move people because they are true and not just because they are passionate delivered. Second, I want to be great more than I want to be successful.
Finally, I don't want to only be aware of poverty, racism, prejudice, and injustice. I want to do something about it. I do not want to be--in the words of Cornel West--"A successful person,well adjusted to injustice."
I trust Spirit will show me how I can assist those in need of assistance so that I don't live a privileged life of indifference.
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