Back cover blurb of Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics by bell hooks:
What is feminism?
In this short, accessible primer, Bell Hooks explores the nature of feminism and its positive promise to eliminate sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. With her characteristic clarity and directness, Hooks encourages readers to see how feminism can touch and change their lives – to see that feminism is for everybody.
“Imagine living in a world where there is no domination, where females and males are not alike or even always equal, but where a vision of mutuality is the ethos shaping our interaction.”
― Bell Hooks, Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics
Sandwiched in between 2 YA romance novels, I read my first bell hooks book. I wish I could get more (especially younger) girls to do the same. It is especially interesting to look at the topic in between YA romance novels, which are, for lack of a better description, teaching women what their expected defaults are or should be. Romance novels can be relaxing in that they represent the simple fulfillment of complicated or elusive expectations in real life.
Like any real life topic, my understanding and relationship to feminism is complicated. I suspect it is for many women or even people. I put this book in my queue when bell hooks died. I had heard of her as a famous feminist and was curious what she had to say.
This book is billed as a short, accessible, clear primer on feminism. It was short, which meant it was a quick read for me. Short is not entirely the same thing as accessible. She talks about children’s books on feminism, then proceeds to use what I would describe as some academic terms. At least she popularizes it enough that there is no dielectric or similar vocabulary.
I also found the book to be a bit all over the place, both in topic and in opinion, much like feminism in real life. It was really interesting to read about consciousness raising groups from someone who actually attended them. She also delves into abusive mothers, (white) women who take advantage of poorer women (of color), and other ways women themselves impede feminism.
While this book was not perfect, or a complete answer on how or even why to eliminate sexism, it was a glimpse into the everyday struggle of moving toward a less sexist future. I find it fascinating that neither the far right nor the far left/ passionate feminists is entirely pleased with the academ-ification of feminism. With the recent news leaking that Roe vs. Wade will likely be overturned by the US supreme court, reproductive rights discussions have never been more relevant. I am glad I read it and will pick up Teaching to Transgress when the opportunity arrises.