Cornell West on TV

Talking at CMC, my old rival. Inspirational speaker. He posed many questions...the one that specifically addressed me was one I've been asking myself for awhile: "For those of us young people in favor of the war, why aren't we there fighting?"

My friend's younger brother is off to Kuwait next week, fighting with the Marines. I wonder to myself...there is this world with severe problems and this country, which is hurt and sick and needs help and I'm going to froo-froo film school and before that, working for a litigation consulting company. It's not just about joining the army, but it's about serving your country or performing a duty or something like that...

I tested for the Foreign Service and didn't take the 2nd round seriously enough and did not get in. I was too wrapped up in film school. I need and want to finish film school, but what after that?

Are my choices simply selfish? I don't aspire to be or live that way. Tough questions.