60 Minutes correspondent James Brown interviews Cornel West, professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, who has become known for loudly voicing his harsh criticism of President Obama. West recently called Obama “a black puppet on Wall Street.” On 60 Minutes, West tells Brown: “You end up with a Black Lives Matter movement under a black president. What does that say?” A sneak peek of the interview was posted on the CBS 60 Minutes Facebook page.
Nyle Fort, a twentysomething civil rights activist and religion PhD student at West’s old stomping grounds (Princeton), tells 60 Minutes that while he may not agree with everything Professor West says, “I think it’s important for us to listen to the substance of his argument.” Comments on Facebook generally show people less won over by West’s approach. Dean Kreyling writes: “West – he likes the militancy in a movement but believes in love and justice…Talking out of the side of his mouth again.” Lucia Grazia Frattallone defends Obama: “Our POTUS uses compassion and diplomacy…Unlike West that wants to divide us as Americans and incites…” Lisbeth Caiaffa agrees: “I had respect for Mr. West but his recent comments are very divisive! And scary.” 60 Minutes airs Sundays at 7pm on CBS.
