Even though I do love all of the parts of the book, I love that he ended with Ida B. Wells-Barnett. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY AUG 11, 2014. Contact: jarel.robinson-brown@kcl.ac.uk I. I thank Seiji Yamada for his persistence in recommending this book. More constructively, Black Prophetic Fire serves as a catalog of—and potential catalyst for—African American activist achievement, recalling the strategies, strengths, and limitations of some of the most fearless voices that ever spoke truth to power in America. From Fredrick Douglass to Fannie Lou Hammer—- they laid their lives on the line not for a financial reward— but they placed the health and prosperity of the community before their own, which are rare characteristics currently missing in the community. In Black Prophetic Fire, West offers a sweeping assessment of contemporary black life: “Black people once put a premium on serving the community, lifting others, and finding joy … Black Prophetic Fire, Journal of American History, Volume 102, Issue 2, September 2015, Page 516, https://doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jav336. *I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway*, In Black Prophetic Fire, Cornel West and Christa Buschendorf wrestle with two questions: “Are we witnessing the death of Black prophetic fire in our time? In light of the Reclaim MLK movement recently I believe that Dr. West was able to deliver to people how important his last couple of years were to his black prophetic fire legacy. Really engaging. In Black Prophetic Fire, Dr. West discusses the lives and legacies of six preeminent Black intellectuals and activists (Frederick Douglass, W.E.B Du Bois, MLK, Ella Baker, Malcolm X and Ida B. That's what this is. A learned discussion with the always deep brother Cornel West about Ida B Wells, Ella Baker, W.E.B. Cornel West's unbridled passion really did the legacies of some of historys greatest revolutionarys justice. “A fascinating exploration of the black prophetic genius and fire of Douglass, Du Bois, King, Ella Baker, Malcolm X, and Ida B. i am very happy to introduce to special guest today. But besides those things, I enjoyed the reading. However, when listening or reading his thoughts, I sometimes find it difficult to follow him because of all the the references and allusions he can make in just a few sentences. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Loved this book! It has been highly educational for me as they discuss six African American leaders. This was an informative history for me in terms of Black history but so much more in regards to philosophy, theology, politics, culture and intellectual thought and formation. The Black prophetic tradition– along with the prophetic traditions of other groups– is a strong counter-force to cupidity, decency cannot be reduced to chicanery, and justice cannot be reduced to market price. Black Prophetic Fire in the Age of Obama. For West, prophecy is “not about predicting an outcome but rather to identify concrete evils” (p. 28). Are we experiencing the demise of the Black prophetic tradition in present-day America.”, Cornel West is one of the most brilliant public intellectuals of our day. DuBois, Martin Luther King Jr., Ella Baker, Malcolm X, and Ida B. America has had its first Black president, popular culture has more Black faces than ever before, and Black people are increasingly a part of the middle and upper classes. Christa Buschendorf is equally amazing in her knowledge of the figures discussed in this book. More constructively, Black Prophetic Fire serves as a catalog of—and potential catalyst for—African American activist achievement, recalling the strategies, strengths, and limitations of some of the most fearless voices that ever spoke truth to power in America. In 2018, many would argue (particularly White people), that America has become a post-racial society. That, plus the fact that it's more of a historical book, made it less appealing to me over all. In a new book, African-American philosopher Cornel West tries to look unblinkingly at the power of what he calls "black prophetic fire": Six African-American leaders whom he … Dubois, Frederick Douglass, MLK, Jr, Ella Baker, Malcom X, and Ida B. Du Bois, Malcolm X, MLK, Fredrick Douglass, and the deep need for continued black prophetic fire. >> hello my name is -- also vice president of the national association of black journalists. This book was a very interesting read. as you desire more context and thorough understanding of these conversations. About Black Prophetic Fire An unflinching look at nineteenth- and twentieth-century African American leaders and their visionary legacies. For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription. The notes and bibliography are treasure troves of radical, subversive and prophetic resources. Cornel West provides us an overview of the men and women who sacrificed the best parts of themselves and fought on the front line to protect the humanity of African Americans. This book was a very interesting read. If you're looking for more than that, then this isn't the book for you. “A fascinating exploration of the black prophetic genius and fire of Douglass, Du Bois, King, Ella Baker, Malcolm X, and Ida B. I trust his insight, wisdom and commitment to the truth. West says his intellectual contributions draw from such diverse traditions as the African American Baptist Church, Marxism, pragmatism, transcendentalism, and Anton Chekhov. This was greatly exhibited by her fierce anti-lynching campaign in Memphis that made her flee to the North. I'd much rather read conversations about very current issues - though I did like how they tied each chapter into contemporary politics. The place where the trinity of race, religion and sexuality meet...listen in for honest, raw, meaningful dialogue. Common terms and phrases. You know those moments in interviews when Cornel West starts rambling about obscure literary references and civil rights leaders from the 19th century? Characterizing the black prophetic mode as the morally and socially regenerative force in America, the book presents six dialogues, each surrounding the life and legacy of an African American leader: Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. I'd much rather read conversations about very current issues - though I did like how they tied each chapter into contemporary politics. Revolutionary black women need to be known by more of the masses, and Dr. West's book certainly does so, and for that I am thankful for him and Dr. Christa Buschendorf. West is an effective orator and these transcriptions of interviews about black prophetic figures really succeed in reviving interest in people like Frederick Douglass and less familiar ones like Ella Baker and Ida B. I love the discussion format for it brings to the fore Mr. West's famous style of talking; his poetic sensibility that is so entertaining and engaging. About Black Prophetic Fire. An outstanding book that exposed to nuanced understandings of the six figures spoken about in the book. Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Kennedy some but definitely to Pres. Wells. Wells) between Cornel West and German scholar Christa Buschendorf. It was invigorating to hear about black leaders outside of the usual Martin vs. Malcolm Paradigm. All rights reserved. Dr. West's insight and knowledge of the subjects brought to the forefront were quite detailed and intellectually stimulating. The Black prophetic tradition has tried to redeem the soul of our fragile democratic experiment. I trust his insight, wisdom and commitment to the truth. This book, co-authored and edited with Christa Buschendorf, solves that problem. Dr. West's insight and knowledge of the subjects brought to the forefront were quite detailed and intellectually stimulating. CORNEL WEST: Black prophetic fire is really about a deep love for black people, a love of justice, but it’s connected to the four questions that Du Bois wrestles with. Cornel West provides us an overview of the men and women who sacrificed the best parts of themselves and fought on the front line to protect the humanity of African Americans. The fundamental motivation of this book is to resurrect Black prophetic fire in our day– especially among the younger generation … West knows a lot about these people and his interviewer asks particularly good questions; she has a deep knowledge of te material and challenges West on his statements. Implicit in the book is that West, a self-described “prisoner of hope,” is heir to the black prophetic tradition (p. 6). None of these towering figures in American history were perfect, or led perfectly, and West constantly repeats how each one was necessary for the next, or to complement the next, and how no one's influence would have been as profound without the countless people in the movements surrounding them. Dubois, Frederick Douglass, MLK, Jr, Ella Baker, Malcom X, and Ida B. That, plus the fact that it's more of a historical book, made it less appealing to me over all. the book black prophetic fire, which she profiles? In a 223 page book, 56 of those pages are Buschendorf's extensive footnotes, and they are worth reading! The deep hope shot through this dialogue is that Black prophetic fire never dies, that the Black prophetic tradition forever flourishes, and that a new wave of young brothers and sisters of all colors see and feel that it is a beautiful thing to be on fire for justice and that there is no greater joy than inspiring and empowering others—especially the least of these, the precious and priceless wretched … In an accessible, conversational format, Cornel West, with distinguished scholar Christa Buschendorf, provides a fresh perspective on six revolutionary African American leaders: Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. © The Author 2015. Contact: jarel.robinson-brown@kcl.ac.uk This book points in a lot of interesting directions. Finally, the dialogues, having undergone a lengthy editorial process, suffer from feeling dated. I'm giving it three stars mostly because I agreed with a lot of what he has to say (the gist of this is that Obama pales in comparison--literally and figuratively--to past civil rights leaders), and every once in a while he does come up with something really interesting or that I wasn't aware of, but this is decidedly inessential. Structured as a series of edited conversations, there is. I learned much concerning these individuals, but even more so of the Black prophetic tradition. Is it redeemable? The volume leans too heavily on its detailed notes, grafting a weighty scholarly apparatus onto the less formal main text. If you're looking for an academic, but engaging, read about important black figures in history definitely read this. His brilliance can be a barrier to anyone not as well read and able to bring together from so many directions. Overall a compelling, educational read. I'm giving it three stars mostly because I agreed with a lot of what he has to say (the gist of this is that Obama pales in comparison--literally and figuratively--to past civil rights leaders), and every once in a while. But are these things truly markers of a post-racial country? Cornel West is one of the most brilliant public intellectuals of our day. Black Prophetic Fire In an accessible, conversational format, Cornel West, with distinguished scholar Christa Buschendorf, provides a fresh … From Fredrick Douglass to Fannie Lou Hammer—- they laid their lives on the line not for a financial reward— but they placed the health and prosperity of the community before their own, which are rare characteristics currently missing in the community. The questions from the interviewer, Dr. Christa Buschendorf were very thought provoking and prompted me to do my own personal research of some issued raised. He compares the lesson of today with Obama, as the face of the American Empire, preferring neoliberal economists to pressing social movements to the lesson of yesterday where there would have been clearly no Lincoln without pressing social movements (and there was no Lincoln until the last 2 ½ years of his own life). 1, 76). From the Hardcover edition. Cornel West (Photo: Sigrid Estrada) “Black Prophetic Fire” (in dialogue with and edited by Christa Buschendorf) is a clarion call “to be on fire for justice.” Cornel West explores whether the soul of the United States can be salvaged by a rekindling of the Black prophetic tradition. It is truly amazing. What does a prominent American, black, male activist and theological professor have in common with a German, white, female professor of sociology?