By: Teddy Grant

Dr. Cornel West praised President Joe Biden for signing the American Rescue Plan into law, saying that it will alleviate some suffering and social mistreatment of Black people in the country.  

West was on BNC Live on Friday and said that Black people, particularly Black women, are the reason why Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are in office and that the new law “puts working-class and poor people near the center” of his policy. 

“I am glad that he’s hitting child poverty in that way,” he said. “We need to abolish poverty; we need to abolish decrepit schools, abolish mass underemployment and unemployment; we need to abolish any healthcare system that doesn’t include everybody. No matter who they are.”  

The philosopher and activist said that Biden is off to a good start, but more work needs to be done, including reparations for Black people.  

West said that there needs to be a focus on economic justice. Policies that tackle housing, food insecurity, jobs with a living wage, and quality education are what people need.  

The professor also discussed his decision not to return to Harvard University over its decision not to give him tenure.  

“It’s a sign of the spiritual and intellectual bankruptcy of Harvard that I even have to worry about these kinds of things,” West said, adding that he learned from his parents not to tolerate disrespect.  

On Monday, West announced that he would be departing his position at Harvard’s divinity school to join Union Theological Seminary in New York City in a tenured position.  

I am blessed to announce with my dear brother Mordecai Lyon of The Boycott Times that I am moving from Harvard to Union Theological Seminary in New York City! Our struggle for truth & justice continues with style & smiles! @TheBoycottTimes @mordecailyon https://t.co/9I9BSn66fD

— Cornel West (@CornelWest) March 8, 2021