"If our democracy is to survive, the empire must be dismantled.” That’s what Dr. Cornel West told us in an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with News Beat, in which he talked about dismantling systems of oppression, uplifting the poor and working class, ending America’s military industrial complex, and abolishing poverty, homelessness, and prisons. West, who is vying for the Green Party nomination for U.S. President, said his third-party bid is also about putting an end to the corporate duopoly and dismissed claims that a candidate outside of the two-party system can’t win. He also said he’s entering the race not just to introduce new ideas but to fight for marginalized people, vowing to take on anyone who is hostile to the struggle of working people and those on the front-line of disastrous conflicts. To check out the full video interview, head over to newsbeat.substack.com. Visit our friends www.unftr.com and www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com  News Beat is produced in association with Manny Faces Media. Sign up for our free newsletter at newsbeat.substack.com Producer/Audio Editor: Michael "Manny Faces" ConfortiEditor-In-Chief: Chris TwarowskiManaging Editor: Rashed MianEpisode Art: Jeff MainExecutive Producer: Jed Morey Support the show: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=EYkdQRkbZ6vNTGfNSGWZjx7_15orqqDl8vkmrAg3TkxLprft1OguFwxlheC3tAkNd-KVPG&country.x=US&locale.x=US See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.