Bell Hooks: "Feminism: Its a Black Thing"
Reading
Notes by
Shama
Farooq
In this chapter of her book Beyond Black Rage, Bell Hooks
discusses the
tendency of black males to downplay sexism in comparison to racism. She points
out that sexism crosses racial borders and exists in the black mind as well.
Bell Hooks criticizes those blacks who deny/downplay the existence of the
negative effects of sexism outside race/racism. She is also extremely wary of
institutions that might help teach a "patriarchal pedagogy" to young
black males and endorse sexist values. She further suggests a course of action
to address this issue.
Bell Hooks begins her article by saying that many black
males see the sexism black women face as only "natural" and a "dysfunctional
response to racism rather than a perspective that exists both apart from and in
conjunction with racism" (86). This allows black males to focus only on
the racism of white supremacist patriarchy and disregard the privileges they
possess due to their maleness. Furthermore, black males can't be blames for the
sexism in society since they didn't create it. In remaining silent on sexism,
Bell Hooks believes these men "reinscribe the assumption that sexist
brutality cannot change or be eradicated" (88). In doing so, they also
assist white supremacists who are then able to focus on "black 'bestial'
masculinity" and thus sexism and patriarchy are maintained (89).
Next,
Bell Hooks points out that while young black males are often able to identify
with positive black role models, no one is concerned with the need for young
black females to be able to identify with positive black role models. Also,
young black males are not presented with black female role models to identify
with. She then discusses the "militaristic emphasis on discipline" in
schools for black males (90). Bell Hooks cites Daniel Patrick Moynihan and says
such school are based on the notion that black males are "emasculated and
castrated by strong black females who prevented them from realizing manhood"
(90). Thus, these schools teach black males to use a discipline and punish
model to subordinate black women who do not conform to their expectations (91).
Bell Hooks goes on to say there is no evidence that black males
who are "successful"
in life do not commit sexism (that militaristic schools erase patriarchal
tendencies). Black men, she claims, continue to perpetuate sexism along with
white males because they receive more attention from the "dominant culture"
and because they are able to "strengthen their alliances with white males"
(92). Bell Hooks points out that homophobic thinking sometimes prevents blacks
from learning about feminism. Furthermore, those black women who refuse to
support sexism within the black race-like Alice Walker-are condemned as traitors
to the black race. She accuses mainstream consumer culture for creating the
demand for sexist/misogynist products like rap music (94). In
conclusion, Bell
Hooks suggests some courses of action. She says that "individual,
progressive black heterosexual males" must be more willing to take feminist
thinking more seriously and to act politically against oppressive patriarchal
regimes (95). She mentions the importance of working in conjunction with black
women who challenge sexism and of whole hearted efforts to end sexism within
black communities. Bell Hooks claims that sexist black males, if exposed to
feminist thinking will realize that patriarchy ultimately oppresses them too.
She stresses the need for black men willing "to look at gender and race
with new eyes" (96).
Opinions: Several themes are
presented in this
chapter. Among these is a very famous feminist saying "The personal is the
political." I was reminded of this when Hooks concluded with "the
politics of daily life" (97). Another theme was, of course, the
multiplicity of oppressions for women of color--having to battle a sexist and
racist society, Thirdly, was the theme that patriarchy crosses race/class
borders and exists in all races. Women all over the world are linked through
the oppressions they face as victims of a far-reaching patriarchy.
Some of
the things I notices included the part where Hooks mentions the absence of the
presentation of positive role models for young black girls. I was reminded of
some Times Picayune articles done on the sons of some black homicide victims. I
realized that the subjects of the series of articles were all males even when
they had female siblings. I was also reminded of Anita Hill and what she went
through with the Clarence Thomas hearings when Hooks mentioned that black women
who speak out against sexism in the black race are often branded traitors.
I
also wonder how much of the sexism that black males promote is because they are
black males and how mush is because they are simply males.