Hello everyone,
This week on Wednesday, bell hooks passed away at the age of 69. bell hooks (who preferred their name not be capitalized) was an American scholar and activist whose work examined the connections between race, gender, and class. They often explored the varied perceptions of Black women and Black women writers and the development of feminist identities. Their work has shaped my perceptions of social justice, as well as many other people's. They will be missed.
A few quotes from their work:
“We need to reclaim the concept of love, not as an abstract, all embracing, fantasy but as a set of ethics, principles, values and behaviours. A love that is justice in action… To begin by always thinking of love as an action rather than a feeling is one way in which anyone using the word in this manner automatically assumes accountability and responsibility…Culturally all spheres of life — politics, religion, the workplace, domestic households, intimate relations — should and could have their foundation in a love ethic.” ~ All About Love
“There must exist a paradigm, a practical model for social change that includes an understanding of ways to transform consciousness that are linked to efforts to transform structures.” ~ Killing Rage: Ending Racism|
"The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others."
~ Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations
"Dominator culture has tried to keep us all afraid, to make us choose safety instead of risk, sameness instead of diversity. Moving through that fear, finding out what connects us, reveling in our differences; this is the process that brings us closer, that gives us a world of shared values, of meaningful community."
~ Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope
