I completely agree. Her words, her honesty, her critical analysis, and her heart has provided me such hearth and sanctuary, and has directed me towards my own critical inner eye for justice. She is blessed.
Her piece on peoples' profound experiences with the English teachers/professors that have entered/exited their lives is so spot-on (love when I get the "Yes!" in the margins of something I've written)
What an incredible lecture and speech given by an prophetically enlightened woman. when hooks speaks at the end about her will to hope & love in the face of pain and dysfunction mirrors my own struggles as a child. I have a hard time expressing myself and I find it so powerful that hooks is able to touch on that shared pain with the gift of voice and language. Thank you bell hooks - i pray that one day you could be my teacher.
In response to what book she is reading from Lindsey, I think she is reading from one of her manuscripts, which is now out and published into a book, called "Belonging: A Culture of Place"
Thank you Mac - I did some research using the readings hooks shared & was able to locate a copy from the library. I later received the book as a Christmas gift. Can't wait to read it - right now I'm knee deep in research for critical pedagogy in which I am using her Teaching series. Thanks again - Cheers!
No problem Lindsey. Her teaching series, especially the first one, "Teaching to Transgress" has been especially helpful for me to critically think and deconstruct the many ways my teaching and learning has been embedded in dominant and domineering pedagogy. I'm convinced that any of hook's literature she has written will bring much needed clarity and transformative wisdom to all work that we do. :-)
I'm a young black male interested in black feminism for reason that i won't discuss here, and FINALLY i found something interesting on youtube. Because it's seems like majority of youtubers that talk about black feminism only criticise with a lot of violence (without even really know about it)
i like that she explains it in terms of personal stories playing out and spirituality however it is worth saying that there is also an impersonal way to explain it, that our stated goals of feminism, racial equality for all, ending homophobia, etc. can also be cast in another light in the commanding: if we want our movements to succeed , if we want our goals to be achieved, then we have no choice but to seek as much support as possible and make sure the words we say are useful to this purpose.
I think there should be multiple ways to describe justice and an activation for feminism, racial equity, the end to hetero-normative/hetero-sexist behavior, policies, etc. When we share stories we are humanizing the experience of suffering and give authorship to ourselves as agents who view a world from our experiences critically seeking to transform not just the world but ourselves also. It can't just be an academic pursuit or exercise, we also need to rethink what constitutes that realm...
Thanks, it's great comment that is positive about the black feminist movement. It's sad to see so much negativity from black men on YT on this issue. We still have a lot of work to do.
A great video - thank you for sharing I listened carefully and It took me about four viewings Ms Hooks has a very nice/ sweet voice (and NOT an angry voice) Please do share more Best wishes MR pecker Decker
no, i definitely don't mean an academic exercise i've got little interest in that because so many academics do not care about the working class. ^_^ but it seems like many who see the world in purely spiritual terms or personal terms can't explain it otherwise or feel opposed to doing so. This is a problem because the world we are in right now is very serious and demands dry and clear explanations that don't leave room for confusion. The world massively needs it communicated to people.
She doesn't want a binary, and she doesn't want to name the oppressor. However, she wants to end domination in all its forms. Perhaps it is unavoidable, but it seems that eliminating domination represents a binary. Tao. Yin-Yang. If there is equality, there has to be inequality. That is how we know what equality is.
When she describes how white women can deconstruct their own racist concepts and attitudes, it reminds me of "The Closing of the American Mind" where Alan Bloom describes how Socrates used reason. Socrates thought that the good or the best was to align oneself and one's society with nature. So, using reason, the citizens can modify themselves and their society. This creates a tension, however, because there is a natural tendency not to change. Bloom was arguing against relativism. He agreed with Socrates that there is a moral standard in nature that could be detected through reason. Hooks sounds as though she is making the same claim. There is a natural good or law.
racism is not about X saying shit about Y. It's about economical, political, structural power. So as a Black male I never see black communities in the US or in France as "innocent poor "like you said. But in western countries, black folks and people of color can be discriminate because of their skin. White folks can be discriminate because they're women, gays, trans, working class etc, but NOT because they're white, that's why racism is about structural domination of people of color.
Some black people want to move past racism, but most white people will not let them. You see, we always see color first and that manages how we respond to each other. We do manage our relationships with a set of rules and if we are true to our self we all approach the relationship with rules based on color. White America continues to reap the benefits from the shame of their ancestors,but they do not want the responsibility of fixing the shame.
RezaDemocrat... would you kindly explain what is wrong with that argument? hooks and Mohanty clearly make sense when they accuse white feminists of speaking on behalf of ALL women... disregarding race and the fact that many black women experience racism before sexism. By arguing that "Sisterhood" is not global, how is that racist? ps. I went to the university too.
@Vrijestem now wait a second when Africans sold their war prisoners into slavery they werent operating on the same slavery system as europeans were. slavery in Africa was similar to indentured servitude in europe. slaves in Africa could actually rise up in ranks to scholarly and royal positions. there is no comparing the two.
Ending domination of one individual over another in all its forms. But aren't some forms of domination necessary? Obviously, she is arguing in favor of socialism of some kind. No domination would mean radical egalitarianism. But what about freedom and justice? If I was born in a particular place and lived there, and it happened to be a richer and better place to live than yours, will you force me to leave?
You can also disagree but now power dynamic beetwen the West and Africa is not in favor of Africans. So you can't bring pre colonial history to explain now that slavery and colonial time didn't play part in African and Black folks situation. Your argument looks like when people say that "if women really wanted to have power, they would already done something to", as if they wasn't structural men power against them. It's as a social issue, we're not" complaining for nothing"
@Freevoice1960 what was said about self gain, that's not where my argument lies. historically no form of slavery is comparable to the enslavement of Africans by europeans. slaves in Africa were seen as war captives, not property. they were not enslaved for life, broken up from thier families, raped and beaten and they could eventually come out of slavery. thats what i am saying. n stop with the name calling 1960 it makes u look childesh. debate with facts, not mere comebacks.
Never too fond of bell hooks -- some gay women are gay first before they identity as black -- as I feel bell hooks does -- don't like how she disrespected Coretta King -- expecting her to walk with her ( bell hooks) idea of a liberated woman -- she has to humble herself to know black women come in all forms and experiences !!!!
One of the most unique philosophical minds to come forth in the twentieth century.
I completely agree. Her words, her honesty, her critical analysis, and her heart has provided me such hearth and sanctuary, and has directed me towards my own critical inner eye for justice. She is blessed.
Her piece on peoples' profound experiences with the English teachers/professors that have entered/exited their lives is so spot-on (love when I get the "Yes!" in the margins of something I've written)
What an incredible lecture and speech given by an prophetically enlightened woman. when hooks speaks at the end about her will to hope & love in the face of pain and dysfunction mirrors my own struggles as a child. I have a hard time expressing myself and I find it so powerful that hooks is able to touch on that shared pain with the gift of voice and language. Thank you bell hooks - i pray that one day you could be my teacher.
In response to what book she is reading from Lindsey, I think she is reading from one of her manuscripts, which is now out and published into a book, called "Belonging: A Culture of Place"
Thank you Mac - I did some research using the readings hooks shared & was able to locate a copy from the library. I later received the book as a Christmas gift. Can't wait to read it - right now I'm knee deep in research for critical pedagogy in which I am using her Teaching series. Thanks again - Cheers!
No problem Lindsey. Her teaching series, especially the first one, "Teaching to Transgress" has been especially helpful for me to critically think and deconstruct the many ways my teaching and learning has been embedded in dominant and domineering pedagogy. I'm convinced that any of hook's literature she has written will bring much needed clarity and transformative wisdom to all work that we do. :-)
I'm a young black male interested in black feminism for reason that i won't discuss here, and FINALLY i found something interesting on youtube. Because it's seems like majority of youtubers that talk about black feminism only criticise with a lot of violence (without even really know about it)
This incredible speech of Bell Hook is really very motivational speech for many.
i like that she explains it in terms of personal stories playing out and spirituality however it is worth saying that there is also an impersonal way to explain it, that our stated goals of feminism, racial equality for all, ending homophobia, etc. can also be cast in another light in the commanding: if we want our movements to succeed , if we want our goals to be achieved, then we have no choice but to seek as much support as possible and make sure the words we say are useful to this purpose.
I think there should be multiple ways to describe justice and an activation for feminism, racial equity, the end to hetero-normative/hetero-sexist behavior, policies, etc. When we share stories we are humanizing the experience of suffering and give authorship to ourselves as agents who view a world from our experiences critically seeking to transform not just the world but ourselves also. It can't just be an academic pursuit or exercise, we also need to rethink what constitutes that realm...
Thank you UOregon for posting this fantastic oration from one of the worlds leading cultural thinkers.
Thanks, it's great comment that is positive about the black feminist movement. It's sad to see so much negativity from black men on YT on this issue. We still have a lot of work to do.
Reading Bell Hooks’ “Sisters of the Yam” brought me here in 2018.
A great video - thank you for sharing
I listened carefully and It took me about four viewings
Ms Hooks has a very nice/ sweet voice (and NOT an angry voice)
Please do share more
Best wishes MR pecker Decker
no, i definitely don't mean an academic exercise i've got little interest in that because so many academics do not care about the working class. ^_^ but it seems like many who see the world in purely spiritual terms or personal terms can't explain it otherwise or feel opposed to doing so. This is a problem because the world we are in right now is very serious and demands dry and clear explanations that don't leave room for confusion. The world massively needs it communicated to people.
miss you so much. The void is vast and deep.
What book is hooks reading out of? Her words & ideas are incredible and I want to read them myself. Please help.
She doesn't want a binary, and she doesn't want to name the oppressor. However, she wants to end domination in all its forms. Perhaps it is unavoidable, but it seems that eliminating domination represents a binary. Tao. Yin-Yang. If there is equality, there has to be inequality. That is how we know what equality is.
When she describes how white women can deconstruct their own racist concepts and attitudes, it reminds me of "The Closing of the American Mind" where Alan Bloom describes how Socrates used reason. Socrates thought that the good or the best was to align oneself and one's society with nature. So, using reason, the citizens can modify themselves and their society. This creates a tension, however, because there is a natural tendency not to change. Bloom was arguing against relativism. He agreed with Socrates that there is a moral standard in nature that could be detected through reason. Hooks sounds as though she is making the same claim. There is a natural good or law.
racism is not about X saying shit about Y. It's about economical, political, structural power. So as a Black male I never see black communities in the US or in France as "innocent poor "like you said. But in western countries, black folks and people of color can be discriminate because of their skin. White folks can be discriminate because they're women, gays, trans, working class etc, but NOT because they're white, that's why racism is about structural domination of people of color.
Nice one. Divinely-inspired
@Freevoice1960 So with that said,is there no difference within the experiences of being a white/black woman?
Some black people want to move past racism, but most white people will not let them. You see, we always see color first and that manages how we respond to each other. We do manage our relationships with a set of rules and if we are true to our self we all approach the relationship with rules based on color. White America continues to reap the benefits from the shame of their ancestors,but they do not want the responsibility of fixing the shame.
RIP bell ❤️❤️
dang...thought this was a too short video...
Chattel and Cattle are TWO different words!
Ain't i a women
RezaDemocrat... would you kindly explain what is wrong with that argument?
hooks and Mohanty clearly make sense when they accuse white feminists of speaking on behalf of ALL women... disregarding race and the fact that many black women experience racism before sexism.
By arguing that "Sisterhood" is not global, how is that racist?
ps. I went to the university too.
@Vrijestem now wait a second when Africans sold their war prisoners into slavery they werent operating on the same slavery system as europeans were. slavery in Africa was similar to indentured servitude in europe. slaves in Africa could actually rise up in ranks to scholarly and royal positions. there is no comparing the two.
Ending domination of one individual over another in all its forms. But aren't some forms of domination necessary? Obviously, she is arguing in favor of socialism of some kind. No domination would mean radical egalitarianism. But what about freedom and justice? If I was born in a particular place and lived there, and it happened to be a richer and better place to live than yours, will you force me to leave?
You can also disagree but now power dynamic beetwen the West and Africa is not in favor of Africans. So you can't bring pre colonial history to explain now that slavery and colonial time didn't play part in African and Black folks situation. Your argument looks like when people say that "if women really wanted to have power, they would already done something to", as if they wasn't structural men power against them. It's as a social issue, we're not" complaining for nothing"
@Freevoice1960 what was said about self gain, that's not where my argument lies. historically no form of slavery is comparable to the enslavement of Africans by europeans. slaves in Africa were seen as war captives, not property. they were not enslaved for life, broken up from thier families, raped and beaten and they could eventually come out of slavery. thats what i am saying. n stop with the name calling 1960 it makes u look childesh. debate with facts, not mere comebacks.
Never too fond of bell hooks -- some gay women are gay first before they identity as black -- as I feel bell hooks does -- don't like how she disrespected Coretta King -- expecting her to walk with her ( bell hooks) idea of a liberated woman -- she has to humble herself to know black women come in all forms and experiences !!!!