Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Cornel West

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Cornel West.

Cornel West is a prominent American philosopher, theologian, political activist, and public intellectual known for his outspoken voice in left-wing politics. He ran as an independent candidate in the 2024 United States presidential election. West's work often addresses issues of race, class, and justice, drawing from a variety of intellectual traditions, including Marxism, pragmatism, and prophetic Christianity. He is a social critic who engages in public discourse on contemporary issues and is recognized for his contributions to American intellectual life.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2000: Meeting with Lawrence Summers

In 2000, Lawrence Summers, the new president of Harvard, reportedly rebuked Cornel West for various issues, including missed classes and his CD "Sketches of My Culture", leading to tension between them.

April 2002: Civil Disobedience with Rabbi Michael Lerner

In April 2002, Cornel West and Rabbi Michael Lerner engaged in civil disobedience by sitting in the street in front of the U.S. State Department in solidarity with suffering Palestinian and Israeli people, and West emphasized the importance of recognizing the humanity on both sides.

October 2002: Harvard Crimson suggests Law and Order episode based on West's conflict

In October 2002, The Harvard Crimson suggested that the premise of the "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" episode "Anti-Thesis" was based on Cornel West's conflicts with Lawrence Summers.

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May 2007: Demonstration Against Israeli Occupation

In May 2007, Cornel West joined a demonstration against injustices faced by the Palestinian people resulting from the Israeli occupation and to bring attention to this 40-year travesty of justice.

2009: Criticism of Obama's Nobel Peace Prize

In 2009, Cornel West criticized Barack Obama when he won the Nobel Peace Prize, suggesting it would be difficult for Obama to be "a war president with a peace prize".

April 2011: Retraction of Support for Obama

In April 2011, Cornel West retracted his support for Barack Obama in an interview, stating that Obama is "a black mascot of Wall Street oligarchs and a black muppet of corporate plutocrats" and had become "head of the American killing machine".

October 16, 2011: Participation in Occupy D.C. Protests

On October 16, 2011, Cornel West participated in the Occupy D.C. protests on the steps of the Supreme Court over the court's decision in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case.

2011: Call to Divest from Companies Profiting from Israeli Occupation

In 2011, Cornel West called on the University of Arizona to divest from companies profiting from the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

2011: Response to Critics of Occupy Wall Street

In 2011, Cornel West expressed his frustration with critics of Occupy Wall Street, defending the movement against claims that it lacked a clear and unified message.

November 2012: Obama as a 'Rockefeller Republican in blackface'

In November 2012, Cornel West said in an interview that he considered Barack Obama a "Rockefeller Republican in blackface."

October 13, 2014: Arrested at Ferguson Protest

On October 13, 2014, Cornel West was arrested while protesting against the shooting of Michael Brown and participating in Ferguson October.

2014: Criticism of Obama as a 'Counterfeit'

In 2014, Cornel West criticized Barack Obama in an interview, calling him a "counterfeit" who posed as a progressive and defining his presidency as a "Wall Street presidency, a drone presidency, a national security presidency".

August 10, 2015: Arrested at St. Louis Protest

On August 10, 2015, Cornel West was arrested while demonstrating outside a courthouse in St. Louis on the one-year anniversary of Michael Brown's death.

August 2017: Participation in Counter-Protest at Unite the Right Rally

In August 2017, Cornel West participated in a counter-protest at the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was part of an interfaith, multiracial clergy group, and stated that Antifa had saved their lives.

February 2021: Tenure Denial at Harvard

In February 2021, reports surfaced that Cornel West was denied tenure consideration at Harvard, leading to threats of departure.

June 5, 2023: Announcement of Presidential Run

On June 5, 2023, Cornel West announced he would run in the 2024 presidential election under the People's Party, sparking criticism due to the party's lack of ballot access and other issues.