Nationally-known scholar Cornel West joined students, community members and other notable figures supporting the reinstatement of African American studies professor Anthony Monteiro during a rally in front of Morgan Hall on the corner of Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue Thursday, May 8th.
West, a retired professor of philosophy at Princeton University best known for his book “Race Matters” and his appearances on numerous political commentary shows, made his speech near the close of the rally after Monteiro spoke.
“We’re in the right place at the right time for the right brother,” West said. “There’s a connection between love and justice and I love my brother Tony Monteiro…I want the world to know that when you attack Tony Monteiro, you attack a black man called Cornel West, too.”
West also criticized Molefi Asante, chair of the African American studies department, who the protesters said was responsible for Monteiro’s firing.
“[Asante] and I have done many things together and his work has been a historic contribution,” West said. “But even your friends can be wrong.”
State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, a Democrat representing the 181st legislative district which encompasses much of North Philadelphia on the east side of Broad Street, criticized the university’s stance that Monteiro’s contract status was non-negotiable and decisions not to renew are final.
“If this is non-negotiable, we’ve got to stay busy until it happens,” Thomas said. “We need to keep it moving. The outcome belongs to us.”
Black Entertainment Television news correspondent, CNN political commentator and Columbia University journalism professor Marc Lamont Hill also spoke at the rally.
“President Theobald can begin a legacy that can make this university great,” Monteiro said in his speech at the rally and added that legacy could begin by reinstating him with tenure.
A total of 15 Philadelphia and Temple police officers were in proximity to the rally. Acting Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said the Temple police would collaborate with Philadelphia police but defer to them.
“If [the protesters] go in the street or anything, Philadelphia police would decide what they’d do about that,” Leone said.
“Into the street, everyone,” a protester said to the crowd after the rally, many of whom proceeded to block half of Broad Street. Philadelphia police diverted both directions of traffic to the other half while the protesters held up their signs to the passing cars.
Junior secondary education in social studies major Walter Smolarek said the movement will not stop during the university’s summer break.
“If today is any indication, it will only get stronger,” Smolarek said.
A university spokesman declined further comment on the day’s events and said Temple isn’t changing its narrative.
Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@temple.edu or on Twitter @JBrandt_TU.
Sarai Flores contributed reporting.
