Princeton Professor Encourages Students by Introducing King's Passion

Modesto, CA -- Princeton Professor Cornel West presented his speech at Modesto Junior College as part of the 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration about keeping King’s legacy alive through self-examination, love, and compassion, Modbee reported.

He emphasized about staying away from the materialistic culture and encouraged the audience to examine life as Socrates proposed, but to feel love and compassion as Jesus and early prophets did.

"Martin Luther King said, 'Let freedom ring.' He didn't say 'bling bling,'" West commented in his speech.

"We must learn how to make the world safe for the legacy of Martin Luther King and his secular allies," West said at Modesto's King-Kennedy Center before his speech. "We don't want to be comfortable."

He also addressed the youth telling them to know your history, "and not just the greatest hits of the struggle."

West has taught at Harvard, Yale and Union Theological Seminary, and has written various books, “Race Matter” being the most recognized as his best seller.

At the King-Kennedy Center, many of West’s fans gathered to listen to his speech.

Grant Louis Ashley from Stockton who was waiting to receive his autograph said, "He's not snobbish. He's very embraceable. He's very much like a next-door neighbor type. He's not intellectually intimating.”

He said he felt honored to meet West, a man he calls a modern-day W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington.

West also received much praises from the students as well, "He's inspirational and a well-known professor of religion, and he so happens to be African-American," said Racquell Lee, 18, of Stockton. "He represents our culture well."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.