Dr. Cornel West is a multi-disciplinary scholar, a major figure in African American academia, a social activist and public speaker. He is a critic of culture, and an advocate of social justice. Dr. West is an analyst of Post-Modern art and philosophy, and a professor of Religion at Princeton University. In the past, he taught philosophy to Federal prison inmates - an unusual distinction for an academic philosopher.

Dr. West has also acted in movies and is a rap artist. He was an influential force in developing the storyline for the popular Matrix trilogy, and had recurring roles in the final two volumes. In 2001, he released a spoken-word CD entitled Sketches of My Culture, in response to the popularity of hip-hop music.

Cornel West has written many books including Race Matters (which changed the course of America's dialogue on race, justice and democracy), Democracy Matters, and his most recent book, Hope on a Tightrope, concerning racism, white supremacy, and the ramifications of Barack Obama's presidency.

Dr. West gave this talk, based on his latest book, Hope on a Tightrope, at the Open Center in New York, on January 24th, 2009.