The need of black conservatives to gain the respect of their white peers deeply shapes certain elements of … - Cornel West

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Maturity involves two elements: 1) immediate obedience in specific situations and 2) long-range character growth.

Cornel West

The need of black conservatives to gain the respect of their white peers deeply shapes certain elements of their conservatism. In this regard, they simply want what most people want, to be judged by the quality of their skills, not by the color of their skin. But the black conservatives overlook the fact that affirmative action policies were political responses to the pervasive refusal of most white Americans to judge black Americans on that basis.

Color, Elements, Overlook, Pervasive, Skills, White

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Hope and optimism are different. Optimism tends to be based on the notion that there's enough evidence out there to believe things are gonna be better, much more rational, deeply secular, whereas hope looks at the evidence and says, "It doesn't look good at all. Doesn't look good at all. Gonna go beyond the evidence to create new possibilities based on visions that become contagious to allow people to engage in heroic actions always against the odds, no guarantee whatsoever. " That's hope. I'm a prisoner of hope, though. Gonna die a prisoner of hope.

Believe, Engage, Odds, Optimism, Things

You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you don't serve the people.

Ifs, Lead, Love, People, Save, Serve

There is a price to pay for speaking the truth. There is a bigger price for living a lie.

Bigger, Living A Lie, Lying, Pay, Price, Truth

The country is in deep trouble. We've forgotten that a rich life consists fundamentally of serving others, trying to leave the world a little better than you found it. We need the courage to question the powers that be, the courage to be impatient with evil and patient with people, the courage to fight for social justice. In many instances we will be stepping out on nothing, and just hoping to land on something. But that's the struggle. To live is to wrestle with despair, yet never allow despair to have the last word.

Life, Hope, Country, Serving, Leave, Despair

You have to have a habitual vision of greatness. . . you have to believe in fact that you will refuse to settle for mediocrity. You won't confuse your financial security with your personal integrity, you won't confuse your success with your greatness or your prosperity with your magnanimity. . . believe in fact that living is connected to giving.

Believe, Greatness, Integrity, Magnanimity, Personal, Vision