Bell Hooks Perspectives On Feminism and Future Feminist Movements

Bell Hooks Perspectives On Feminism and Future Feminist Movements

Society structure, rules, and norms dictate people’s behaviors and traits. One societal norm is gender stereotypical constructs, whereby people are considered feminine or masculine based on their traits. Subsequently, these are further incorporated into society as rules that dictate how people of various genders are expected to conduct themselves and behave. Consequently, Bell Hook speaks against these simplistic notions that confine various behaviors to a specific gender, making us aware that this is not the case. In addition, it overcomes all forms of oppression and domination of humans and humanity.

The Notion of “Man Is The Enemy, Woman The Victim”

Bell Hook deconstructs the notion of social ideologies. Hook stipulates that we are all capable of dominating, oppressing, and wounding others. Further, Hook argues that this possibility presents the first potential oppressor that people must be aware of and think differently. Consequently, the notion that “man is the enemy, woman the victim” is deconstructed by the idea that everyone has the potential to oppress and rescue a potential victim. Based on patriarchy, men are put in a position that allows them to oppress and conduct themselves in a manner that oppresses women; however, with the presence of a potential oppressor in every individual, the notion of “man is the enemy, woman the victim” do not always apply because even women can be the enemy. Men can be victims when an individual doesn’t resist the potential oppressor within and rescue the potential victim.

The Main Concern for Future Feminist

Feminist movements were established to end women’s suffrage and sexism. In most cases, these movements seek to end the oppression of women in various aspects of society, such as domestic violence and sexual harassment. This focus on women’s societal position leaves feminist movements open to setbacks and limitations. This includes the notion that man is the enemy, while the patriarchy is, in fact, the enemy, contributing to the oppression of women. The waves of feminist movements, from women’s suffrage to sexism, painted them as antimale, which exposed them to their limitations. Bell Hook points out that man is not the enemy and needs to reformulate their strategies in line with this fact in the future. Moreover, this points out women’s victimization in society while promoting love and mutuality accordingly, Bell Hook urges future feminist movements, and people should view themselves as the source of change from the gender traits dictated to them to subjects of change that will contribute to the liberation of society from the rules and norms established, with a focus on spreading love and celebrating people’s lives.

Role of Love in The Current and Future Feminist Revolutions

Various factors influence outcomes to achieve the objectives of any group or movement. One such factor is love, which is essential in thaccomplishingoals. Hooks proceeds to stipulate that love is a force that drives revolution in a society and is, therefore, not just an intimacy-related emotion. Consistently, this stipulation illustrates that love can be used to overcome the potential oppressors within each individual and thereby influence the community f, reeing it from gender-stereotypical rules that encompass domination and oppression. Further, Hoo says that “man is the enemy, woman the victim,” which mits this love and thereby affects the ability of the movement to accomplish their objectives. Consequently, Hook pushes for love to prevent people from objectifying themselves or others. Additionally, this will challenge the patriarchy in society, representing the achievement of the feminist movement’s objectives.

The Learned Violence of Masculinity

Masculinity is the traits and attributes defining an individual as a man. Consequently, certain traits, interests, and behaviors dictate this definition, including sole provider, family head, brutal, and violent. These traits can be acquired through various ways, including social media, societal norms, and family setup. Violence is ne of the traits that any gender can acquire from any of the listed contributors; also, any gender can oppress and dominate another gender through violence despite the age of a victim of violence. Thompson argues that the learned violence of masculinity influences two significant aspects of boys’ social lives: homophobia and misogyny. Homophobia is the hatred of gay men and the perception of gay men, while misogyny is the hatred of women. This affects the boy personally and society as the boy grows.

References

Hooks, B. (2016). Talking Back  Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black. Routledge.

Tompson, C. (2021). A New Vision of Masculinity. Retrieved from https://xyonline.net/sites/xyonline.net/files/202005/Thompson%2C%20A%20new%20vision%20of%20masculinity%2C%20in%20Rothenberg%202016.pdf

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Answer the following questions based on the lecture and the readings. Submit your assignment as an attached Word document.
How does Hooks deconstruct and challenge the simplistic notion that “man is the enemy, woman the victim”?
What does Hooks conclude should be the main concern for future feminist movements and the revitalization of feminist perspectives?
What is the role of love in the current and future feminist revolutions Hooks discusses in this essay?
Think critically about the definitions of masculinity. What is the result of the learned violence of masculinity, or what Thompson calls the two most critical socializing forces in a boy’s life?