bell hooks Flashcards
Week Seven
- “Feminism is a movement aimed at ending
sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” - Goal of this definition is expansion to
include women of different statuses and
identities as well as men.
- Provides a concise definition of feminism:
Feminist Politics
- hooks sought to dismantle the entire patriarchal
system rather than modest changes.
- Revolutionary vs. reformist feminism
Feminist Politics
- Feminism should be a movement aimed at ending sexist oppression,
and it cannot accommodate views that contradict this goal. - One cannot claim to be a feminist and support policy which explicitly
harm women. - Examples…
- Anti-abortion movement
- Policies ending no-fault divorce
- Consumerist feminism
- Praising individual success over structural change (“leaning
in”)
- The dangers of lifestyle feminism:
Feminist Politics
Argument 1: Patriarchy is not limited by race or class
* Patriarchy: refers to a system of domination where men hold power
and use it to oppress women.
* Patriarchal ideology is embedded within both white and black
communities.
* Hooks argues that black liberation movement was patriarchal.
* According to Hooks, Black women are often described as being
“uppity” or sexually permissive.
The Imperialism of Patriarchy
refers to a system of domination where men hold power
and use it to oppress women.
Patriarchy
- Emasculation theory argues that due to slavery, black men were
unable to fulfill traditional masculine roles. - Hooks argues it ignores the fact that Black men can still perpetuate sexist
oppression even as they face racial oppression. - It also reinforces the patriarchal notion that masculinity is defined by
control and dominance over women.
- Misconception of emasculation theory
The Imperialism of Patriarchy
Argued for a redefinition of beauty that embraced individuality,
diversity, and self-love.
- Feminists challenge sexist beauty standards:
Beauty Within and Without
hooks highlights how capitalist industries profit from women’s
insecurities by promoting harmful beauty ideals.
- Capitalism and the commodification of beauty:
Beauty Within and Without
This resurgence, perpetuated by mass media, glamorized unhealthy
body images, especially promoting extreme thinness.
- Resisting the resurgence of sexist beauty ideals:
Beauty Within and Without
Compare and contrast Marx’s and Durkheim’s conception of freedom.
short answer:
From Max Weber’s perspective, how does asceticism, coupled with the idea of
the “calling,” contribute to the rise of capitalism?
short answer:
Compare and contrast the two forms of solidarity discussed by Durkheim. Explain
how they connect to modern capitalism.
short answer: