In an era defined by creeping fascism, neoliberal hegemony, and the complicity of higher education in suppressing dissent, Dr. Cornel West calls for a radical reimagining of education as a force for democratic renewal. This talk explores the urgent role of higher education, faculty, and students in reclaiming universities as democratic public spheres, where critical thinking and civic engagement thrive. Dr. West critiques the neoliberalization of academia, its alignment with the military-industrial complex, and its failure to challenge rising authoritarianism. He urges academics to embrace their role as public intellectuals, fostering resistance, hope, and the pursuit of justice in these catastrophic times.

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