Cornel West Returns to Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary in New York City has always been associated with progressivism and social justice. Some of the terms in theology today have come from leading professors such as James Cone, the “father” of Liberation Theology, and Katie Cannon, one of the leaders of Womanist Theology. Now Cornel West will once again be part of that prestigious list.
It has been reported by the New York Times that West is to return to teaching at Union, in the position of Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practices.
West has recently finished spending time on the road for The Poverty Tour: A Call to Conscience, which focused on sharing the stories of individuals coping with poverty. West teamed with Tavis Smiley, his co-host of the radio show Smiley & West, on the journey.
West has published 19 books, including the name-making Race Matters. He has continued to be active in social justice matters, especially advocating on behalf of the poor minority.
West was recently arrested as part of an Occupy Harlem movement to protest the police practice known as “stop and frisk” and has been active at the Occupy Wall Street protests.
Union Theological Seminary has also been present at Occupy Wall Street, sending groups of students and teachers to act as “Protest Chaplains” for those who may need them.
Union’s website states that part of its vision is to make connections “between these traditions and the most profoundly challenging issues of our contemporary experience: the realities of suffering and injustice, world religious pluralism, the fragility of our planet, and discoveries of modern science.”
This could be one of the reasons for West’s return. As he said in an interview with the Times, “Union was the institutional expression of my core identity as a prophetic Christian.”
He then went on to say, “I don’t have that much time and I want to do precisely what I’m called to do.”
