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With one week to go until the historic 2008 presidential election, a majority of national polls show Democratic candidate Barack Obama with the advantage over his rival John McCain. The prospects of Obama becoming the first African-American president in our nation’s history underscore how much race and democracy matter in this election. A recent article in the Christian Science Monitor goes as far as to suggest that the Obama campaign means that the influence of racism in the United States is waning. Dr. Cornel West, who has authored best selling books on the subjects of race and democracy, has been busy delivering lectures on those and other important topics ahead of the release of his new book, “Hope on a Tightrope.” After speaking to hundreds at the University of Alabama, a report in the Tuscaloosa News said West noted that race relations may grow even tenser should Obama win in the coming days. Indeed, Dr. West’s new book of words and wisdom opens with a chapter declaring a state of emergency where we find ourselves in “one of the most truly prophetic moments in the history of America.” As the title, “Hope on a Tightrope” suggests, the preeminent scholar believes that the U.S. is teetering – he muses on issues that will shape our future such as leadership, family, freedom and social justice. Dr. West’s latest book also features personal reflections such as his battle with cancer as well as a companion CD of an interview with Tavis Smiley.

GUEST: Cornel West, author of “Hope on a Tightrope”. For more information, visit www.cornelwest.com.

Dr. West will present his new book, Hope on a Tightrope, on Saturday November 1st from 5-7 pm at Eso Won Bookstore, 4331 Degnan Blvd in Los Angeles.