The setup for the Michael Dyson versus Cornel West feud continues. Salon has an extensive interview with Michael Dyson about his effort to "ether" Cornel West.
The Root also has an audio interview with Dyson about his falling out with West.
In keeping with the professional wrestling trope I suggested in this piece, West must now cut a promo back in response to Dyson.
If I were booking the Dyson versus West program, West would surprise Dyson at first with the ferocity and intensity of his counter-strike. Dyson is the student turned master. West is the master. Dyson would then strike back in a way that further enrages West.
Cornel West actually believes that he is the victim. Michael Dyson is trying to help Cornel West understand the error in his ways. Both sides feel betrayed. This is a perfect story because there are serious emotional issues and drama between the two parties. It is also an opportunity for "redemptive violence" because Dyson still loves West, but believes that the latter has lost his way and betrayed his principles and friends. This whole scenario is box office, big money on the lecture circuit.
It is also mighty entertaining.
A thought, if Cornel West versus Michael Dyson was a video game like the new Mortal Kombat X, what powers and special abilities would each character have?
Cornel West would have a special ability called "Black Prophetic Fire" where he would blow fire out of his mouth and nose like Dhalsim from Street Fighter.
Michael Dyson would likely have a power called "Freestyle" where he hypnotizes and confuses his opponent with his hip-hop black academic cadence.
Other powers?
12 comments:
Both would have the ability to throw large multicolored supercharged balloons full of extremely warm flatus scented air that would have absolutely no effect when they struck the adversary. Sort of like the impact this battle of eggheads has on rank and file Black folks.
Sounds like the classic NES game.
Why you got so much hate for the gentleman in question? Do you think it is all a hustle?
Street theater. Michael Dyson was simply told to keep Cornel West busy during Hillary's coming out party.
Hustle...no. I would say this is definitely a distraction. You touched upon it. This is really about egos. Both are larger than life and need constant validation.
No hate at all. I enjoy reading both of them but I find them far less impactful or insightful than say Baldwin. I know that's a lot to live up to but I do expect them to advance the art by challenging and invigorating. All this prattling on about prophetic tradition is useless noise unless what you're saying reaches, motivates and in the best of all worlds energizes the people. Who gives a shit if they don't like each other anymore!? What is this "Real Ivy League House Bitches"?
Batman v the Joker comes to mind.
Challenging and invigorating. I like that. If this was truly a battle of ideas I think it would feel more productive.
The clash of personalities doesn't move me.
But I will accept CD's premise and assign a weapon to both because I grew up playing Street Fighter and Mortal Combat so enjoy the premise.
On SNES, by tapping down then up in quick succession West will release an idea and it will implant in his opponents head. The opponent will then learn from this idea and try and adopt West's fighting style, but West is the master, so will be one move ahead in all cases, and will easily finish his opponent.
I honestly don't know enough about Dyson to offer up a characteristically special move.
Just saw this on West's facebook page, he addresses Dyson (indirectly) in the second paragraph:
"The escalating deaths and sufferings in Black and poor America and the marvelous new militancy in our Ferguson moment should compel us to focus on what really matters: The life and death issues of police murders, poverty, mass incarceration, drones, TPP (unjust trade policies), vast surveillance, decrepit schools, unemployment, Wall Street power, Israeli occupation of Palestinians, Dalit resistance in India, and ecological catastrophe.
"Character assassination is the refuge of those who hide and conceal these issues in order to rationalize their own allegiance to the status quo. I am neither a saint nor prophet, but I am a Jesus-loving free Black man in a Great Tradition who intends to be faithful unto death in telling the truth and bearing witness to justice. I am not beholden to any administration, political party, TV channel or financial sponsor because loving suffering and struggling peoples is my point of reference. Deep integrity must trump cheap popularity. Nothing will stop or distract my work and witness, even as I learn from others and try not to hurt others.
"But to pursue truth and justice is to live dangerously. In the spirit of John Coltrane’s LOVE SUPREME, let us focus on what really matters: the issues, policies, and realities that affect precious everyday people catching hell and how we can resist the lies and crimes of the status quo!"
Or told (allowed) to keep us all busy with this sideshow while the TPP moves forward, without congressional oversight.
So it seems that West is not going to engage Dyson's piece. Seems like an enlightened move by West. I've got a lot of respect for that.
Don't fall for that one my friend. West is going to do his silent weapons for not so silent wars move in addition to coming out full force.
This was an amusing post.
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