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The Afro-American Critical Thought Of Cornel West As Critical Theory

Introduction
In his discussion of Wittgenstein, James C. Edwards writes that there is no such thing as a formula that applies itself, "one whose intrinsic meaning is independent of a conventional, public practice" (AL 163).   The similar point can be made, and probably with less risk of controversy, that the significance of a theory will never be independent of the way people interpret that theory and respond to it.   This paper evaluates how one might respond to Cornel West's "Afro-American critical thought."   First, West's theory is outlined as it is presented by the theorist himself.   Second, the significance of key features of his approach to theory with regard to formulating a response is evaluated.   At the same time, we will assess the importance of those features to any theory which takes society as its field of inquiry.
The core of West's presentation of his Afro-American critical thought contains two elements.   First, West provides an account of the history of African-American thought and the historical experience that has shaped it; this account includes West's assessment of the present situation.   He fits these elements of the past and present, intellectual and non-intellectual history of the Afro-American experience within a conceptual framework.   He ascribes a particular significance to each element as it falls within this theoretical framework, whether the element is as concrete as the African slave trade, or as academic as the treatment of the "marginalistic tradition" in the writings of Sutton Griggs and Charles Chesnutt.   West's assessment of each element is in terms of its meaning for the situation of the Afro-American community in the present day.  
West's theory is not restricted to an interpretation, however.   He presents the aforementioned historical analysis as a description of the present context from which he can draw up a recommendation for changes in existing society.   This prescriptive part of West's theory draws from his historical...