socio-political tomes of this generation. From the essential Race Matters to
pivotal works such as Keeping Faith: Philosophy and Race in America and Democracy Matters, West has become one of the most recognized voices in American racial, political and cultural commentary. But in his latest
book, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, Dr. West takes on his
most difficult subject to date — himself. “Any time you re talking about your
life, it’s much more difficult, more painful, [and] more challenging. You have to be
more courageous to write about your life. It can be a life transforming
experience. Especially my life. I’ve had three lifetimes in one. In 56 years, I’ve
probably got 156 years of living!”
Reflecting on his storied past, Dr. West revisited the pain
and joy of events, places and people that he hadn’t reflected on in years. His
life of constant travel hasn’t given much time for reflection, and he
found the experience of writing his memoirs to be cathartic to say the least. “I’m
on the move all the time, doing 150 lectures a year, never spending one weekend
in my crib in 12 years. I’m a bluesman, forever on the move,” he says. “[So] it’s
hard to just stop and reflect on your life. And then when I slowed down, I said ‘Oh,
I’d just forgotten the death threats — folks putting guns to my wife’s head and showing
up with shotguns in the driveways. [And while] I hadn’t forgotten about the
losses, like the death of my father, I had to really linger [on them] again. It takes a lot out of you — reliving those experiences.”
Dr. West also displays his love of music throughout the
book. “Feeling and passion are at the core of who I am [and] I couldn’t preserve
my sanity or my dignity without music soothing my scars and comforting my
bruises and giving me strength. Black music is the greatest tradition of the
modern world — from the spirituals on through Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and
Sarah Vaughn, to Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin, Al Green and Mary J.
Blige. Life without Curtis Mayfield is
unimaginable!”
“Young people need more love … in their music. I want young people
to recognize that there was a time when I was so full of rage [that] I couldn’t
find a positive venue. If you don’t find a channel for it, it can devour your
soul and force you to drink from the cup of bitterness. You [will] no longer [be
able to] help others, let alone help yourself,” West counsels. –todd williams
