I heard of bell hooks years ago, but have put off reading her for some time. I recently began to work alongside a mostly female team at my job, so I’m reading several feminist texts to appreciate their life and work experiences better. After reading this short work, I wish I would have read her sooner because her perspective was so healing! I liked it so much that I immediately purchased another book of hers, specifically discussing and addressing men (The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love).
It’s no secret that American society has been undertaking a huge discussion about gender in the past 65 or so years. “Discussion” might not be the right word; “argument” might be better. Anyways, I’ve become concerned that our conversations tend to branch off from each other too much and never unite again. Fortunately, hooks’ words unite without losing feminism’s salty essence. Indeed, she seems to argue that feminism’s essence should unite. As a longstanding voice in feminism who grew to fame by bringing racial issues to light, her dual identity – or intersectionality – allows her to come to a bigger picture of human togetherness than a lot of white feminists can. Which is just another way to show how black women rock.
The book’s only drawback for me was the chapter on feminism and spirituality. I’m about as passionate about Christian history as hooks is about feminism, so history’s depths root my words. She suggests swapping masculine religious symbols out for feminist ones because of Christianity’s “patriarchal norms.”
I wholeheartedly agree that fundamentalist/evangelical Christianity in America maintains these norms and that they should be overcome. I disagree that this has always been the case in Christianity. Look at the long, positive history of dealing with the “Virgin Mary” which expresses the value of women choosing God. (Yes, Mary’s role is so strong that negative gender norms have fixated on her, too.) Or how the medieval church declared that God transcended gender. Or how Jesus invited women into his circle when no one else in Judaism gave them access. Or how the Second Great Awakening empowered women and enslaved persons. Etc. I support her argument for feminist inclusion in contemporary religion, but it needs to be made by someone with deeper theological roots.
Overall, though, I love this book. It brought healing and unity in places it was lacking. More people should consider hooks’ insights. The word “feminism” in the title might scare some people off – particularly men – but considering her thoughts can only make us better people. And better people include men like me that want to be rock starts at work, in our families… and even trash talking with each other about sports. I’m grateful that hooks enlightened me a bit, and I’m looking forward to her next book.
Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics
By bell hooks
Narrated by Robin Miles
Post Hypnotic Press
ASIN B077GXZR8L
Length: 4:29
Genre: Social Theory
www.amazon.com