West to speak on campus tonight

Author and civil rights activist Cornel West will speak tonight at the IU Auditorium, following almost a year of Union Board preparation.

“The Union Board members always try to do a Black History Month lectures,” said Caitlin Van Kooten, the Union Board director of lectures. “It’s a strong tradition we’re really proud of.”

Van Kooten, a sophomore, said the Union Board decided to invite West in the fall, but has planned for the speech since March 2008.

Doors to the auditorium will open at 6 p.m., and West’s speech will begin at 7 p.m.

Van Kooten said the speech is scheduled to be 45 minutes long, followed by a question-and-answer session and a book signing in the lobby. The lecture is free and open to the public.

West is the author of 19 books, the most recent titled “Hope on a Tightrope: Words and Wisdom.”

The book offers his commentary on issues such as race, leadership, faith, family, love and service to others. The book focuses on issues Americans are faced with and can relate to, according to West’s Web site.

In addition to the Union Board, several organizations such as the Residence Halls Association, the Department of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and the Department of Religious Studies are sponsors for the lecture.

Van Kooten said she hoped West will inspire students and show them they have many different options for their lives, adding that “West is a tremendous speaker.”