Cornel West Reflects on the Life of Ron Walters

Here is a clip from Tavis Smiley's radio show in which Cornel West reflects on the life and legacy of Professor Ron Walters, the great political science professor who recently died after a battle with lung cancer.  I had the high honor and privilege to be a student of Ron's when I was in graduate school.  I was further honored to have him serve on my dissertation committee and work with him on various panel discussions and book projects (I contributed a chapter to his last book, Democratic Destiny and the District of Columbia, which he co-edited with Toni-Michelle Travis).

I've heard quite a few people talk about Ron, some of whom actually knew him.  For me, he was the living embodiment of commitment to a cause.  He remained committed to helping the poor and locked out, never straying from the truth that service to those in need is more important than titles and accolades. His loss is a great one for African American political scientists and public intellectuals and a reminder that radio and television play is not a substitute for service.  Like a great musician, his intellectual catalog exists for all the world to see.  From South Africa and the Bomb, to Pan Africanism in the African Diaspora and from African American Leadership and White Nationalism, Black Interests, and beyond, he left us much to ponder.

Farewell Ron.  May your contributions be remembered for generations and may your legacy never be forgotten.