How the Work of Bell Hooks Contributed to the Feminist Theory? - Essay Sample

Introduction

In sociology, feminist theory tries to give light on issues concerning the social set up and the overlooked problems within the society by one gender. Feminist theory views areas such as gender discrimination and oppression among others. Most of the feminist theorists have tried to focus on interactions to enhance equality through an understanding of social forces within the society. This paper focuses at one of the feminist theorists 'bell hooks', a female writer and her contributions towards the development of this theory.

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Bell hooks being a contemporary writer dealt with issues concerning gender, class, and race. She was brought up in a male-dominated society, and this influenced her to write. She received discouragement from writing since no one supported her not even her family who believed that women only fit in domestic chores. The discrimination and segregation she experienced empowered her to fight against these opposing forces through writing. Hooks first book "Ain't I a Woman" was directed to the feminist movement to express the concerns of African women in America. Hooks wrote her book in an unorthodox style to enhance accessibility.

"Feminist Theory From Margin to Center" next hooks book, she geared her thoughts on black feminist. The book talks about the urge to recognize the empowerment theory of feminist. Hooks argues of the difficulties faced by women from different ethnicities during the creation of political solidarities (Watts.2017). In her argument brooks feel the need for a transformative political system where both ideologies are fully respected. Hooks in her writing argues and advocates for solidarity. Though change is not easy and it is mostly a painful process, she believes in transformation. She believed that challenges could not be solved through silence and therefore she has become the voice to turn the private pain felt into the public concern. Being an intellectual and a mirror to many, hooks believed that her voice would empower individuals and as a result subjects will be transformed into objects.

However, hooks in collaboration with Cornel West in their book "Breaking Bread" written in the form of a dialogue based their notion on a life of blacks especially the African American intellects (Munson & Saulnier 2014). They believe that the intellectuals' life has been compromised due to separation and particularly the black women who try to speak out are silenced. Hooks has mainly focused on gender in her works since she feels that the invisibility and insensitivity are brought about by racism and at times sexism. Her writings motivate her for she holds that for one to be self-empowered and to overthrow a domination system critical examination is paramount.

Bell hooks have greatly influenced in the streaming of studies on culture. In her works, for instance on "Breaking Bread" which she has collaborated with Cornel West stresses for suppression of harmful ways used to identify Blacks. She is an instrumental agent for broadening culture studies. Brooks has critiqued culture for being the mother of difference that reinforces colonial domination. Brooks's key theme which she mostly explores is intersectionality (Gines et al.,2018). Brooks's contribution towards equity has influenced theorists who come after her to attend to overlooked groups of people and formulate solutions to any form of discrimination.

However, brooks have encouraged the idea of education which to her is a tool for freedom. She considers education to be more than just a mere delivery of information since she regards it as practical wisdom meant for living a more justified life in a world dominated by the white supremacy (Hooks 2014). Brooks has stressed on the crucial role that an educator can play in perpetuating oppression systems. Hooks argues that through education a learners mind can be colonized via the lessons of respect and love to each other which can help to change the social classification. Through hooks we learn about the oppression people undergo unknowingly, but she gears on Equity Studies which an educator can use to promote freedom. Brooks work has therefore influenced many to undertake Equity Studies which helps to discourage social classification (Giroux & McLaren 2014).

In her essay "Talking Back," hooks stick to her goal of encouraging speech where the exploited can hire their voices hence promoting new growth. She feels that silence cannot help to liberate. Talking back to her is not just a mere gesture but an expression of liberty. She also introduces the idea of black women telling their own stories through her "Sisters of the Yam." Brooks urges that women have to narrate their stories as a form of self-discovery and recovery (Meyers 2014). She understands that it is through the expression of one's emotions that a mighty change can be made. This impact gives rise to many theorists and especially black women writers who advocated for feminist theory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, therefore, we see that through her work brooks calls for proactive measures and approaches for solving classification problems in America. Brooks was a committed female theorist who brought attention to the societal bias for instance racism which many believed to be a disease which could not be cured. Brooks has played a very significant role in the development of feminist theory through her work as a writer. She says that feminism is not only for female gender but for everyone who feels neglect. Her books including "Ain't I a Woman?" "Feminist Theory," "Talking Back," "Breaking Bread," "Sisters of the Yam" (Hooks 2014) among others is all her works in support of the feminist theory.

References

Gines, K. T., Ranjbar, A. M., O'Byrn, E., Ewara, E., & Paris, W. (2018). Teaching and Learning Philosophical "Special" Topics: Black Feminism and Intersectionality. In Black Women's Liberatory Pedagogies (pp. 143-158). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Giroux, H. A., & McLaren, P. (Eds.). (2014). Between borders: Pedagogy and the politics of cultural studies. Routledge.

Hooks, B. (2014). Teaching to transgress. Routledge.

Meyers, D. T. (Ed.). (2014). Feminist social thought: A reader. Routledge.

Munson, C., & Saulnier, C. F. (2014). Feminist theories and social work: Approaches and applications. Routledge.

Watts, G. (2017). Applying radical empathy to Women's March documentation efforts: a reflection exercise. Archives and Manuscripts, 45(3), 191-201.