The line stretching around the block outside the St. Peter Claver in Montclair looked like a pastor’s dream, as over six hundred people would eventually pack the church hall, from the pews up to the balcony, a basement area and an outdoor alleyway.

One would have thought that the Archbishop of Newark or Kirk Franklin was gracing the church with their respective presence, Instead, on the evening of September 23rd, people came to see a person who brought the scholarly reverence of a religious authority and the spiritual dynamism of a gospel performer.

Dr. Cornel West, the Princeton University professor who has been one of the premier political and religious scholars of this generation, and the author of the best-selling book Race Matters, gave the lecture entitled, “Connecting the Struggles for Racial Justice and Peace”, to a racially diverse crowd of African-Americans, Latinos and Whites.

The lecture was organized by People’s Organization for Progress, the Newark-based activist group led by longtime activist Larry Hamm, who gave a stirring presentation of his own before Dr. West spoke.

West, who in his oratory and manner of expression has been composed to that of a minister, gave the kind of lecture/sermon that has made him a celebrated speaker on the lecture circuit.

For two hours, West spoke and then engaged the audience in a lively question-and-answer session, when he addressed a variety of topics such as the ongoing war on Iraq, the corrupt Bush administration, U.S. imperialism around the world and the role of African-Americans in the present time.

West held the crowd in an almost hypnotic attention as he made the connections between such figures as Marcus Garvey, Socrates, Fannie Lou Hamer and Shakespeare, enlightening and illuminating listeners on what he observed as the "immaturity of the United States."

While most of the audience were in attendance for Dr. West, who did not disappoint, there was the added treat of seeing other speakers for the evening who gained the rapt attention of the attendees with their rousing presentations which set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Dr. Lenworth Gunther, a professor at Essex County College, and author of an acclaimed biography on the legendary politician Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., spoke of West’s influence upon his life, calling him “an international warrior and scholar” and referring to him as a "volume in the encyclopedia of our universality."

Then there was Larry Hamm, whose volcanic speech implored the audience to remember that this was not just a time to be entertained as he pointed out those seated who were the family members of those victims of police brutality in the greater Newark area and in other parts of New Jersey.

The night wasn’t over by any means as West was besieged with fans who brought their copies of Race Matters, the Cornel West Reader and his spoken word/rap CD, “Sketches of my Culture”. One of those admirers was Montclair resident Darryl Smith, who came with his wife and his two daughters.

"I admire his perspective on race and what it means in American society. The fact that you can recognize that race has been an issue but not be bitter about it and understand that everyone is human, and we all got move forward together."

In fact, it was his daughter who asked probably the most simple and yet seldom asked question at most of lectures of this sort, “How can the children help?” That prompted from West to give a profound six-word answer, "Work hard. Play hard. Love hard."

Another audience member who soaked in the wisdom of the professor was Vanessa Neil, a tutor of college students who currently resides in Paterson, who was taking extensive notes during West’s presentation.

"What he said, the audience not only needed to hear it but that the audience needed to go out and act upon what he said."

But it was Professor West who summed up best why he came out this evening, and spoke gratis to an overwhelmingly appreciative public.

"For me it was a very special event because the People’s Organization for Progress is a very unique institution. It’s progressive and open to all persons concerned about justice and focused on grassroots organizing. So they believe in telling the truth, exposing lies and bearing witness for justice, and that for me is the Lord’s work. So it was just a blessing for me to be here and we had a magnificent time together."