Partially Settled Vagabonds

Last night, my Ethics and Public Policy course met at an unusual time in order to accommodate an unusual guest. For this week we had read two books by Cornel West, professor at the University, and he came to discuss them with us.

Many have described West in several different ways, but one thing is certain...he is unique. A combination of philosopher, Jeremiah, pop-star, and preacher, he delivered an hour long lecture with no notes and hardly a pause between sentences. The topics ranged from Socrates to Aristotle, from the South to the North, from the church to blues and jazz. He is a person of incredible influence, making regular appearances at various venues. During the Clinton administration, he publicly denounced Clinton for signing the welfare bill in his first term. Immediately following the denouncement, West received a phone call from the White House beckoning him to come meet with Bill and Hillary. There they asked for West's endorsement for the '96 campaign, to which he replied, "Absolutley not," even though he is an avowed Democrat. It is rumored that his philosophy is what the first Matrix movie is about, and he makes a cameo in the second movie. He is a frequent guest on CNN and Fox News, and he is equally critical of both.

Last spring, when I came up here with my mentor, West was in the audience. Afterward, my mentor mentioned to me that of all the people in the room, "Cornel could argue circles around anyone."

I stayed after the class was over and had him inscribe my book, a new favorite hobby of mine. I don't agree with him on everything, but I have hardly met anyone quite as engaging and humble at the same time, save Conyers.

Of course the evening went in a downward spiral after I left the campus, as I dumped a bowl full of raw eggs all over the kitchen and on top of Calvin, who licked most of it off before I could get him in the shower. I'm still waiting for the vomit in the armpit.