Bell Hooks Critical Analysis

858 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Masculinity is explored by

The critical approach to institutional contexts and social structures is one that aims to analyze them carefully and shrewdly, taking into consideration for example, how they exist in relation to and as agents of oppression, as well as examining the ways in which these institutions and social structures inherently propagate the oppression of marginalized peoples. As well as that, the critical approach intends to judiciously evaluate the function of these institutions and social structures in regards to the power relationship within them with an end goal of alleviating the struggle of those marginalized, exploited, and oppressed. Specifically, the critical approaches taken by bell hooks in “Feminism: A Movement to End Sexist Oppression” and Michael Kimmel in “Masculinity as Homophobia: Fear, Shame, and Silence in the Construction of Gender Identity” do not present the ideas of feminism and masculinity as just catch-all terms, but rather emphasize the complexities and intricacies of these concepts as they occur in the world. These texts also include varied perspectives on feminism and masculinity and analyze how they come together to create a thorough and comprehensive analysis of these concepts.
In “Feminism: A Movement to End Sexist Oppression”, hooks, through critical analysis, proposes that a definitive and inclusive definition is needed in order for feminism to accomplish that which it wants. She first seeks to identify some of the many ways in

Show More
Related

  • An Analysis Of Bell Hooks 'Dig Deeper: Beyond Lean In'

    841 Words  | 2 Pages

    In her 2013 article featured on The Feminist Wire, “Dig Deeper: Beyond Lean In” bell hook describes “the feminist movement based on women gaining equal rights with men” (661). This essay is a response to Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In: What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?” which encourages women to aim for positions of leadership and power. Sandberg’s definition of a feminism is gender equality with an existing social system. Hook contrasts Sandberg’s definition of feminism and makes it her own “one that does not conjure up a battle between the sexes” (662). Since men and women are both greatly influenced by sexist social norms and ideals, it is important

    Read More

  • Victoria Bromley Feminist Analysis

    1040 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to feminist Victoria L. Bromley, if feminism is about combating all forms of inequalities, including oppression, towards all social groups, then feminists must study how masculinity oppresses both men and women. Patriarchy, men’s powers and dominance, hegemonic masculinity, the idea that the “dominant group” in society is most powerful, and hyper masculinity, the exaggeration of the emphasis on male characteristics, all lead to oppression through multiple forms: privileges and unearned privileges, hierarchies of power and exclusion. Bromley argues that the feminist approach towards eliminating oppression, is to use an intersectional analysis, a theoretical tool used for understanding how multiple identities are connected and how systems

    Read More

  • Bell Hooks Feminist Theory Analysis

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    In her novel called “Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center” one of the many areas bell hooks speaks of is the perpetual racial confinement of oppressed black women. The term double-bind comes to mind when she says “being oppressed means the absence of choices” (hooks 5). The double-bind is “circumstances in which choices are condensed to a few and every choice leads to segregation, fault or denial” Therefore, this essay will discuss how hooks’ definition of oppression demonstrates the double-bind in race relations, forcing the socially underprivileged minority to “never win,” and as a result allowing the privileged dominate “norm” to not experience perpetual segregation.

    Read More

  • In Our Glory Bell Hooks Analysis

    1040 Words  | 3 Pages

    Malcolm X stated that, “the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing”. The media thrives for ratings and increasing the outreach of their shows and sponsors. They want to increase numbers of viewers and if they have to report unfairly or ignore some things they will do that. In bell hook’s article, “In Our Glory: Photography and Black Life”, she talks about how photography gave great opportunities for African Americans to combat stereotypes and show their true colors. However, as technology advanced and media outlets spread, photographic technology in black life turned towards a darker road. A road of oppression. While bell hooks was initially correct that photographic technology combatted stereotypes of African Americans, the media today perpetuates them for ratings and views.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Michael Kimmel's 'Masculinity As Homophobia'

    1705 Words  | 4 Pages

    Over the course of history, the definition of manhood has changed and morphed according to society’s rules. In his essay “Masculinity as Homophobia,” number four in The Matrix Reader, Michael Kimmel tackles the truth about what manhood has become and how society has challenged the meaning of homophobia. He begins with an analysis of history, and then proceeds to relate masculinity and homophobia to power, women, and violence.

    Read More

  • Bell Hooks Come Closer To Feminism Summary

    622 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the second week of class, we were instructed to read a reading written by Bell Hooks titled “Come closer to Feminism.” This reading is what I consider to be a very important addition to this unit. Unit one is all about Making waves, Confronting Oppression. According to Frye, it is a fundamental claim of feminism that women are oppressed (Frye, 1983). Before taking upon this reading, my understanding of the feminist movement was not nearly as clear as it is now. After reading this short handbook, I too agree that feminism is for everybody.

    Read More

  • A Critical Analysis Of Bell Hooks

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    A woman used writing as a way to heal herself through a black society where she was powerless. The novelist, Bell Hooks, recites the overcoming struggle she faces by living in a white dominant world. Bell’s desire was to portray to her audience how feminism works for and against blacks. For her, poetry was her escape path from her true identity. It was her privileged speech that allowed herself to express her emotions. Bell hook embraces her well being as an under privileged black woman as a strategy to share with the reader her experiences and struggles. Hook’s uses logos, pathos and rhetorical questions as strategies for her reader

    Read More

  • Critical Thinking By Hooks

    556 Words  | 2 Pages

    Question 1: Teaching I Critical Thinking by Hooks - Do you think that what this passage states is true about thinking being ruined for children by their parents/school? and is thinking ruined for children only in America or all around the world?

    Read More

  • Feminist Comparative Rhetorical Analysis

    659 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this essay, Gay deconstructs the stereotypical view of a feminist, by showing that you can be a feminist, even if you’re not in the small box the rest of the world thinks you should be in, in order to qualify as a ‘feminist’. Throughout the essay, Gay uses several quotes and stories from other women who are either afraid to say that they’re feminists, or don’t quite understand you don’t have to be in the limiting ‘box’, even though in their moral beliefs and actions, these sourced women are, in fact, feminists. According to Gay, if we didn’t have this stereotype, then maybe more women with diverse lives and views would be able to ‘come out’ as

    Read More

  • Bell Hooks's View On Feminism

    1190 Words  | 3 Pages

    As an ever growing topic of debate in modern society, understanding feminism is critical to modern social and political stances. Beyoncé Knowles, a celebrity pop star has been a figure surrounded by debate for those seeking to define modern feminism. By examining her feminism, a great deal can be learned about different stance on modern feminism. As bell hooks defines it in her book, Feminism is for Everybody, “Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression” (viii). Through this definition, hooks is clear that feminism can be embraced by anyone, male or female, black or white, rich or poor so long as they oppose sexism and its ramifications since opposing sexism does not mean being against men but rather supporting

    Read More

  • How Does Feminism Shape Society?

    1649 Words  | 4 Pages

    Starting in the 1990’s, third wave feminism brought in various feminist outlooks, some known as “radical feminism”, “Marxist feminism”, or “cultural feminism” (Dorey-Stein, 2015). In radical feminism, the oppression of women is seen as the most central form of oppression and overlooks race, ethnicity, and class. In contrast, “…radical feminism was a movement to transform society, [whereas] cultural feminism retreated to vanguardism, working instead to build a women's culture” (“Kinds of Feminism”, n.d.). While radical feminism was working for social change, culture feminism opted out of it and built alternatives that stayed away from changing the dominant society. Furthermore, Marxism and radical feminism are often seen mirroring one another. Under Marxist feminism is the idea that women are oppressed because of the capitalist system, and that the capitalist system needs to be overthrown for oppression for women to end (“Kinds of Feminism”,

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Feminist Theory: From Margin To Center By Bell Hooks

    1987 Words  | 4 Pages

    However, the stigma of openly sexual women was not eliminated therefore marking down women's sexual freedom because of the stigma they carry in society.In conclusion, chapter by chapter hooks highlights how feminist theory repeatedly excluded non-white and working class women by ignoring white supremacy as a racial problem and by disregarding the highly psychological impact of class in their political and social status all while, in the case of black women, facing three classes of oppression in a racist, sexist and capitalist state. Throughout the book the author defines feminism, the meaning of sisterhood, what feminism is to men in addition to brushing upon power, work, violence and education. Although I found some elements of this book problematic hooks' critiques of feminist theory and the movement are well-presented, piercingly direct and remain relevant.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Feminist Studies Of Men

    936 Words  | 2 Pages

    Masculinity is a subject that has been debated in our society for quite some time. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, as it is difficult to define this one –sided term. Pairing this already controversial term with “feminist studies” can bring about some thought - provoking conversation. Feminist studies of men have been around for many years with regards to the feminist movement. It seeks to create gradual improvements to society through its main principle of modifying the ways in which everyone views what it means to be a man. Feminist studies of men bring forth the discussion of hegemonic masculinity; how this contributes to the gender hierarchy, the radicalized glass escalator and ultimately the faults of this theory.

    Read More

  • The Feminist Movement: The Feminist Movement

    1473 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Why are you taking a Women’s Studies class? Feminism is stupid…I’m definitely not one of those girls who calls herself a feminist,” I was shocked to hear my freshman year roommate exclaim her distaste towards the feminist identity. Despite the incredible strides that feminism has made and is still making today, there are no shortage of individuals who see feminism as a movement that doesn’t align with their personal beliefs or values. So many different groups and individuals have defined—often times in contention with each other—what it means to be a feminist. To many individuals, the overwhelming and varied definitions of feminism have made the term lose some of its meaning. Additionally, while feminism today appears to be more inclusive

    Read More

  • Liberal Feminism Essay

    2063 Words  | 5 Pages

    “A feminist is one who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes” (Adichie, 2013). Feminism is not the belief that one’s sexual orientation or one’s power is superior over another. The very meaning of feminism demonstrates a complete resistance to this belief. Throughout the years, a range of categories of feminism philosophy have developed. They consist of goals in objectives, methodologies, and affiliations. Many feminists distinguish themselves with many branches of women 's activist thought. The three forms of feminism that this essay will consider are liberal feminism, socialist feminism, and radical feminism. This essay will argue that liberal feminism is the most valid theory of feminism as liberal feminist’s

    Read More

More about Bell Hooks Critical Analysis

Open Document