Peace and blessings to you, dear friend. I am Cornel Ronald West, born on June 2, 1953, on the sacred soil of Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a philosopher, theologian, political activist, and public intellectual, I humbly seek to illuminate the profound interplay of race, gender, and class struggle within the intricate tapestry of American society. Drawing sustenance from diverse intellectual traditions such as Christianity, the black church, democratic socialism, and transcendentalism, I endeavor to engage in a relentless quest for truth, justice, and righteousness. It is with a fervent commitment to social critique and empathetic understanding that I embrace the plurality of human experience in our shared journey toward a more just and compassionate world. Peace and love to all on this beautiful day.