bell hooks - sociological theory

Question 1

Outline hooks’ views on slavery?

Answer 1

• gendered division of labour
• led to racist stereotypes
• continued to shape social status of black women

Question 2

Key points from ‘Ain’t I a woman?’

Answer 2

• challenges exclusion of women in the labour market
• draws attention to the interconnectedness of race, sex and class
• ideas of sisterhood/shared oppression
• criticised 2nd wave feminism/The feminine mystique

Question 3

Outline hooks’ criticism of second wave feminism

Answer 3

hooks believes second wave feminism reflects a middle class bias which ignores the marginalised members of society. She questions who will talk over from the liberated, white middle class.

Question 4

Why did hooks criticise the original notion of sisterhood?

Answer 4

Because it ignored differences between women

Question 5

Describe the shift towards third wave feminism

Answer 5

• increase of addressing diversity and difference
• interconnectedness recognised
• new models of power

Question 6

Outline hooks’ understanding of sisterhood

Answer 6

hooks argues for the creation of a genuine sisterhood that takes into account differences between women

Question 7

Outline the oppositional gaze

Answer 7

• feminist film theory focused on objectification of white women (white femininity as desirable)
• black women ignored
• men and women positioned differently