The strength of vulnerability

That great, happy little moment in this talk when Cornel West says that “Try a Little Tenderness” is not the same as “Say My Name” and bell hooks is so delighted by the statement that she has to reach out and touch his hand in agreement.

image

image

image

And West talks about the courage of taking a risk and being vulnerable in the music of black male artists like Marvin Gaye and Eddie Kendricks, and hooks says, in reference to Otis Redding, “This is my lover’s prayer. I hope it reaches out to you, ‘cause you see my life has been a lonely thing.” And West says that vulnerability was a source of dignity and strength.