Cornel West GS ’80 releases memoir

But the recently released book, co-authored with biographer David Ritz, depicts a side of the author different than that portrayed in West’s 18 other books, including such bestsellers as “Race Matters,” “Democracy Matters” and “Hope on a Tightrope.”

In the memoir, West dives into his greatest passions, chronicling his intense personal journey from struggling schoolboy to Christian preacher to Ivy League intellectual. It is the story, West said in an interview with The Daily Princetonian, of his encounter with religion and how he “ended up channeling up [his] negative energy into positive yearning for learning and deep dedication to education.”

West, the Class of 1943 University Professor of Religion and African American Studies, is a prominent public intellectual. In addition to being frequently referenced within the academic community on issues of American culture, race and identity, West’s philosophical commentary has even pervaded popular cultural institutions like “The Matrix Reloaded.”

'Brother West' is more than just a reflection on his life, West said, it’s an “intensified dance with mortality.” The inspiration for its creation came several years ago, following the discovery of West’s advanced prostate cancer, which has since gone into remission.

After this sobering diagnosis, West said, he decided to write a story about his life that might touch other souls. “I wanted to be able to write a story that might leave insight and wise discernment on how to live,” he explained.

But 'Brother West' proved significantly more difficult to complete than his previous works. West called the memoir his “most unique, delicate and difficult to book to write,” requiring him to “examine the dark corners of [his] own soul” in what was, at times, an agonizing process.

Yet the pain proved cathartic, as introspection led to a feeling of empowerment, West said. “It is a life-transforming experience to write about your life.”

Central to West’s philosophy is the concept of “paideia,” a Greek word denoting deep understanding and education. His life — which includes time teaching at Princeton, Harvard, Yale, the Union Theological Seminary and the University of Paris — has been a constant attempt to balance “the power of paideia on one hand and the power of love” on the other.

But balancing these powers has been complicated by the unyielding limits of time, West noted, as he had to undertake the grueling process of writing his memoir while performing his duties as a professor. To both write and teach, he had to schedule time specifically devoted to writing, even if it meant that he would write for 12 hours in a single day.

Teaching at Princeton, though, holds special meaning for him. During his time at the University, West has seen Princeton evolve “into a pre-eminent place of not just learning but also of service and commitment to things bigger than our nation and our individual egos, with ties to the world and humanity.”

West also leaves time for music, which he said “is integral to [his] life, like breathing.” One section in his memoir is even titled “A Philosopher With a Groove,” representative of the significance of music to both his life and the concept of paideia.

Yet West does not shirk from the challenge of indulging all of his passions, advising students who are struggling with balancing academics and extracurricular activities to “not be fearful of tension.” One should strive to “live a life of creative tension,” he explained, “rather than a destructive tension.”

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For now, this “creative tension” is manifested in West’s hectic book tour schedule. But Princeton students remain an integral part of his life and will have the opportunity to listen to West and other faculty members at a book celebration to be held on Oct. 19 in McCosh 10. West will give reflections on 'Brother West,' and African American studies professor Imani Perry will read selections from the memoir.