West's Concern in Speech Was for Forgotten Poor

To the editors:

In "Cornel West Opens Democracy Teach-Ins" (News, March 3), Nanaho Sawano states that Sewell Chan '98, a former Crimson executive, "...echoed West's concerns, and said Harvard was often isolated from a world where the least-skilled Americans continue to live in inner-city and rural poverty." Having attended and listened eagerly and intently to West's speech, I do not think that statement accurately reflects West's "concerns," but in fact contradicts West's argument. West emphasized the need to create a "public space" in which political and social discourse can take place. And that "public space," created by the "prophetic minority," should encompass all people. West recognized all people as "irreproducable, irreducible individuals," none being "least-skilled" or even less-skilled.

I believe West was concerned that those living in "inner-city and rural poverty" would not be open to that "public space" given their conditions. But those conditions are not predicated on their abilities and their "skills," but the absence of opportunities and outlets to their inescapable circular situations. As West expressed, we need to recognize the "extraordinary in ordinariness" in all people regardless of their economic, demographic, social, etc. apparent limitations. Americans living in "inner-city and rural poverty" are not "least-skille,d," they are forgotten. They are not open to the "public space" and thus, rendered voiceless. In this instance, democracy, "rule of the people," is threatened. CHIWEN BAO '01   March 3, 1998