Dr. Cornel West, the scholar, public intellectual, philosopher, critic, pastor, and civil rights activist, recently offered his name in support of Paul Cortez.

We offer sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Cornel West for taking the time to examine the horrible injustice of Paul’s case, and for lending his name to our growing list of influential supporters.

Dr. West is the recipient of over 20 honorary degrees and the American Book Award. He is also a highly sought-after speaker, commentator, and honorary chair. West remains a widely cited scholar in the popular press, in African-American Studies, and in studies of Black theology.

His classic works, Race Matters, and Democracy Matters, were both national bestsellers. His new book, HOPE ON A TIGHTROPE: Words & Wisdom, was published on November 1, 2008, by SmileyBooks.

West is famous for his union of political and moral insight and criticism and his involvement in the post-1960s civil rights movement. The bulk of his work focuses upon the role of race, gender, and class in American society and the means by which people act and react to their “radical conditionedness.”

West draws intellectual contributions from such diverse traditions as the African American Baptist Church, pragmatism and transcendentalism. West currently serves as the Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University, where he teaches in the Center for African American Studies.