Dr. Cornel West and Politics of Conversion

In the article “Nihilism in Black America” Dr. Cornel West speaks about politics of conversion which he defines as, “A chance for people to believe that there is hope for the future and a meaning to struggle.” For young people like me who grew up in schools learning about the great Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X these examples can become somewhat repetitive even though there accomplishments were great. So for an illustration I decided to use an article on Tyler Perry from the Black in America website. The article talks about how Perry had struggles to get his plays the proper respect that he knew he deserved and how even at one point he was homeless. But through it all he became a successful writer, actor, director, and producer and this is the kind of example that can really speak loudly to not only young people who have to deal with a lot but adults as well, particularly African Americans. Here we have a man who had countless amounts of doors slammed in his face and someone who had to test their own morality and face ignorance when “White Hollywood” doubted him. He now owns all of his finished products and creative rights to his productions. He is a leader who gets things done not becuase he wants to prove people wrong but to fufill his purpose of inspiring those who have struggled.This is what needs to be brought to the forefront when it comes to politics of conversion, those like Perry who know both sides of the story and can give a realistic spin to the glitz and glamour that so many people are hypnotized by.