Imagination in Cornel West's Race Matters: The First Step Towards Restoring Hope to the Nihilistic African-American Community

Race Matters, though painting a bleak and unremittingly realistic portrayal of today's black America, proves to be an inspiring work. West builds a strong argument with the aid of remarkably well-chosen words and epigraphs. Cornel West's clear and coherent arguments conversely develop into intentionally vague and intangible solutions. Race Matters engages the reader to imagine, and becomes a stirring work on the power of imagination to transform. West insists that his readers, regardless of their …

…morally, and physically, in the midst of already dividing and degrading forces. These barriers must be torn down through the employment of imagination among all peoples. "None of us can save the nation or world. But each of us can make a positive difference if we commit ourselves to do so" (159). West's words and ideas hopefully may achieve the "impossible" in this ever-changing, ever-integrating world. Works Cited West, Cornel. Race Matters. New York: Vintage Books, 1994