Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center [Paperback]

Bell Hooks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2000

An Interview with bell hooks, author of Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics

SOUTH END PRESS: Your work on radical black feminism has been an inspiration for many young feminists of color, and you yourself were in your early 20s when you wrote your first book, Ain't I a Woman. What differences do you see in the political and cultural climate that young progressive activists face today, compared to when you were formulating your own politics?

BELL HOOKS: One of the major differences I see in the political climate today is that there is less collective support for coming to critical consciousness-in communities, in institutions, among friends. For example, when I was coming to feminist consciousness-as one aspect of my political consciousness-at Stanford University, there was a tremendous buzz about feminism throughout the campus. Women were organizing in the dorms, women were resisting biased curriculum, all of those things. So, it really offered a kind of overall support for coming to consciousness, whereas what so frequently happens now in academic settings is that people feel much more that they don't have this kind of collective support.

SEP: What do you think has contributed to that change?

BH: The institutionalization of Black Studies, Feminist Studies, all of these things led to a sense that the struggle was over for a lot of people and that one did not have to continue the personal consciousness-raising and changing of one's viewpoint.

SEP: Could you describe some of the influences on your own politicization? In your writing you have focused very much on your development as a woman, as a writer, and as a critic and political thinker. Could you describe that process?

BH: One of the issues that I continually write about is that the words we use to define political positions-whether we talk about being on the left or being feminist-do not mean that people may not have arrived at positions of resistance that could be clearly described by that language before they come to that language. In my case, I've talked a great deal about how growing up in a very patriarchal household was the setting for my development of resistance. But it was not until the organi

Editorial Reviews

Review

“a most extraordinary book... Her courage and insight are really phenomenal. And hooks emphasizes that we always need to consider class and race when we discuss gender, She has the courage of her convictions and such emotional and intellectual autonomy. And she was so young—32—when she wrote it. It’s just remarkable.” — O Magazine “Ashley Judd, Books That Made a Difference”

From the Back Cover

Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center established bell hooks as one of feminism's most vital and influential voices. A new preface by the author introduces the second edition of this essential classic to a new generation of feminist readers, while reminding seasoned activists of the need for continual, critical reflection.

This carefully argued and powerfully inspirational work is a comprehensive examination of the core issues of sexual politics, including political solidarity among women, men as partners in struggle, and the feminist movement to end violence. Always engaging and frequently provocative, hooks combines an accessible style with critical insight to offer a vision of feminism rooted in compassion, respect, and integrity.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: South End Press; 2nd edition (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896086135
• ISBN-13: 978-0896086135
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Women's Studies > Feminist Theory

More About the Author

Bell Hooks is a cultural critic, feminist theorist, and writer. Celebrated as one of our nation's leading public intellectual by The Atlantic Monthly, as well as one of Utne Reader's 100 Visionaries Who Could Change Your Life, she is a charismatic speaker who divides her time among teaching, writing, and lecturing around the world. Previously a professor in the English departments at Yale University and Oberlin College, hooks is now a Distinguished Professor of English at City College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She is the author of more than seventeen books, including All About Love: New Visions; Remembered Rapture: The Writer at Work; Wounds of Passion: A Writing Life; Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood; Killing Rage: Ending Racism; Art on My Mind: Visual Politics; and Breaking Bread: Insurgent Black Intellectual Life. She lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wow!, July 24, 2003

By 

ethan prague (Gilroy, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center (Paperback)

A fantastic, indispensable book that should be read by everyone who has eyes and half a cerebellum. A great starting point for people who, like me, were interested in feminism but always felt the whole Betty Friedan liberate-the-homemaker aspect they taught us in highschool was a bit shallow, moot, and furthermore nonapplicable to males. Hooks' voice is distinctively wise, startling, discerning, and pragmatic; conceptually, it really makes you view the way society works with new eyes, even if none of the indictments really come as a surprise. Although many readers not predisposed to radical politics may have trouble swallowing all of her ideas in this era of ultra-conservatism, this book really does have something for everybody. It's obvious the reader below calling this book baseless propaganda didn't really understand it, for harmful power hegemonies are still as central to American social and political conduct as when it was first published twenty years ago.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR ALL FEMINISTS, May 16, 2002

By 

Maya (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center (Paperback)

Like bell hooks, I am a feminist. I am also a Chicana. It was a relief to see someone writing about the problem of racism in mainstream feminism. Hooks points out the sad fact that many women can be aware of sexism as a form of oppression, but be oblivious to other prejudices (i.e. racism & classism). She uses testimonial accounts, analysis, and her own personal experiences to paint a too true picture of the ugly side of mainstream feminism. She has shed light on why so many women of color feel uncomfortable, and perhaps unwanted when it comes to feminist activity. Look in your history books. How many photos of Blacks and Mexicans do you see marching for women's rights? Yet we were there, too. Hooks points out that we have been feminists for just as long as white women, but we have been ignored, "marginalized". Her book is honest, courageous, and a great achievement. bell hooks is an amazing writer, and I think those who read this book will also enjoy another of hook's books, "Ending Racism".

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life twice!, December 10, 2001

By 

Tiffany L Taylor (Durham, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center (Paperback)

It did. Once as an undergrad and then again when I walked out of my corporate america job to go back to school. I was searching for something else in my life, wanting to quit, and there it was sitting on my shelf as it had for several years. I am a white woman and a lesbian and I must be honest and say I had never really been motivated to action reading anything in feminism, until I read this book. The first chapter takes you by storm. This book is essential for any woman, well for any person. It is an introduction into "things are not always what they seem" and the beginning of viewing the world with a critical eye. Even for us liberals there are many things that we do to contribute to a racists society, knowingly or unknowingly. So I am in graduate school and I have bell hooks to thank for a lot of my motivation to be here. Read this book and read her others(if you can keep up with the number she writes!), she is amazing and inspirational, an Audre Lorde for a new generation who were not fortunate enough to be motivated by the late warrior poet. Hooks challenges us all as Lorde did when she spoke of "doing her work asking you are you doing yours?"