Cornel West: Australia is on the path to US-style fascism

Any country that connects mass surveillance, corporations, big money and even bigger government is in trouble, says the American academic

“This is a blessing for me,” Cornel West says at the start of our interview, calling me brother, though we’ve never met. This isn’t to single me out: he calls everyone that, from David Letterman to right-wing pundit Sean Hannity.

It’s intrinsic to the black prophetic tradition he comes from and continually calls on – the American academic called his latest book Black Prophetic Fire. And the 61-year-old professor, philosopher, preacher and poet is nothing if not fiery, as evidenced by his Monday night appearance on ABC’s Q&A.

We must stand united around the globe to STOP the forced closure of Aboriginal Communities. #sosblakaustraliahttp://t.co/H7k1ZPgBqW

How do you ensure that black rage – Aboriginal rage – is filtered through love and justice, not hatred and revenge?

Related: The Cornel West-Michael Eric Dyson feud is petty. Black people are dying in the streets

We have to be willing to get shot down like a dog like Martin Luther King