by Cornel West
I am also exceedingly proud of Anthony Edwards, whom I taught when he was incarcerated at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, New York. Anthony went on to get his Ph.D. and is now a professor of philosophy.
I also was especially pleased to teach in a doctoral program at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, that trained hundreds of black preachers under the leadership of the legendary Reverend Dr. Samuel Proctor.
I was blessed to teach many summers at the Governors’ Schools in Wake Forest, North Carolina and Conway, Arkansas—teaching centers for talented high school students, most of whom came from poor rural areas.
Once again as with Hope on a Tightrope, the editorial genius of Cheryl Woodruff and wise scrutiny of B. Colby Hamilton has greatly contributed to the quality of this book. They are the grand pride of SmileyBooks, especially the indefatigable and visionary leadership of president Cheryl Woodruff.
Mary Ann Rodriguez is not my student, but there is no way I could teach, lecture, write, travel, or endure without her vision, patience, and wisdom. Others call her my assistant, but she is really my guardian angel. She’s the gentle gatekeeper in an office where people from every walk of life pass through. Her inner sunshine warms all who come her way and keeps me sane. She is deeply loved and respected by everyone. I thank God she came my way.
When I consider the epic nature of my journey—the toils and snares, the joys and blessings—I am truly humbled. If I had three lifetimes, I could never express enough gratitude. So much of it comes down to Mom’s love, Dad’s devotion, and the life-sustaining support of my brother and sisters. I wish everyone could experience such grace. Each breath is a breakthrough, each day a gift, each life a miracle.
Living and loving out loud is a beautiful thing.
OUR COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT
I’D LIKE TO OFFER A BRIEF EXPLANATION of the authors’ credit, “Cornel West with David Ritz”:
I’ve done a number of books with other people based on conversations and spontaneous give-and-take. I’m a collaborator by nature. In my life it’s always been call-and-response.
This book is certainly a collaboration, but one with a difference. David Ritz and I have worked together to sculpt a voice that I hear as my own. Many of my other books were written in what I consider an “academic” voice. Brother West is rendered in a “conversational” voice.
That’s Ritz’s specialty, bringing out the intimate conversational cadences of a living language. He did it, to name a few, with Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, Grandmaster Flash, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, the Neville Brothers, Tavis Smiley—and I think he’s done it with me.
The process is based on friendship, empathy, and a common spirituality. Those readers familiar with Ritz’s other books will certainly hear echoes of his own voice in mine. At the same time, those who know me well will hear my distinct voice. It’s a melding that borders on the mystical. I’m convinced it’s also based on our spiritual bond. The process of writing with David has gone on for well over a year without a single disagreement or uncomfortable moment. How can two men understand each other so deeply that they are able to forge an authentic voice as seamless as Sam and Dave? The answer, I believe, is our Christian orientation and Christian faith. Of course it helped enormously that David’s passion for music and Jewish intellectual background made him comfortable with the ideas and sounds that shaped my life. But it is as believers that we have become collaborators. It is at the cross where we meet. And it is at the cross where we write together, brothers in Jesus Christ.
What a wonderful adventure it has been to work with such a master of language and story—my dear brother David Ritz!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DAVID RITZ WOULD LIKE TO THANK…
Cornel, for what has been one of the great literary jam sessions of my life. I love James Brown, but, for my money, you’re Soul Brother Number One.
Tavis, for hooking us up.
Cheryl Woodruff
Kimberly McFarland
David Vigliano
Gloria Loomis
My loving family: Pops Ritz, Roberta, Alison, Jessica, Jim, Henry, Charlotte, Alden, James, Elizabeth, Esther, all nieces and nephews, my friends Alan Eisenstock and Harry Weinger, my pastor Skip Smith, my fellow parishioner Brother Herb Powell.
MUSIC CREDITS
“A Change is Gonna Come”: Words and Music by SAM COOKE • © 1964 (Renewed) ABKCO MUSIC, INC., 85 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003 • All Rights Reserved
“Gypsy Woman”: Words and Music by CURTIS MAYFIELD • © 1961 (Renewed) WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP. • All Rights Reserved
“Wake Up Everybody”: Words and Music by GENE McFADDEN, JOHN WHITEHEAD and VICTOR CARSTARPHEN • © 1975 (Renewed) WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP. • All Rights Reserved
“Think”: Words and Music by Aretha Franklin and Ted White • © 1968 Fourteenth Hour Music, Inc. • Copyright renewed • All Rights Reserved
“Do You Love Me”: Words and Music by Berry Gordy • © 1962 (Renewed 1990) JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC.
All Rights Controlled and Administered by EMI APRIL MUSIC INC. • All Rights Reserved International Copyright Secured Used by Permission
“Tell Her Love Has Felt The Need”: Words and Music by Leonard Caston and Cathy Wakefield • © 1974 (Renewed 2002) JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC. and STONE DIAMOND MUSIC CORP. • All Rights for JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC. Controlled and Administered by EMI APRIL MUSIC INC.• All Rights for STONE DIAMOND MUSIC CORP. Controlled and Administered by EMI • BLACKWOOD MUSIC INC. • All Rights Reserved International Copyright Secured Used by Permission
“The Way You Do The Things You Do”: Words and Music by William “Smokey” Robinson and Robert Rogers © 1964, 1972 (Renewed 1992, 2000), 1979 JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC. • All Rights Controlled and Administered by EMI APRIL MUSIC INC. • All Rights Reserved • International Copyright Secured • Used by Permission
“Walk Away From Love” by Charles Kipps © 1974 Universal Music – Careers (BMI). Copyright Renewed. Used By Permission. All Rights Reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
EDUCATOR AND PHILOSOPHER CORNEL WEST is the Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University. Known as one of America’s most gifted, provocative, and important public intellectuals, he is the author of the contemporary classic Race Matters, which changed the course of America’s dialogue on race and justice; and the New York Times bestseller Democracy Matters. He is the recipient of the American Book Award and holds more than 20 honorary degrees.
AWARD-WINNING DAVID RITZ is the author of Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye; and the co-author of the autobiographies of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, Grandmaster Flash, and the Neville Brothers.
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