Talking Intersections: Class, Race, Gender, Nationality, and Religion
Last night, bell hooks spoke at Reed College to an enthusiastic SRO audience. I didn’t take any notes and now wish I had. There were so many inspiring thoughts shared. So here are some phrases. See if you can get a sense of the experience.
I am un-colonizing my mind and psyche.
I can critique and respect someone at the same time. - in reference to Coretta Scott King.
Optimal well-being. how to have… black women and rise in heart disease. “Our hearts are diseased by the culture.” black women not being recognized.
She asked her students to write a feminist analysis on Katrina and aftermath. They responded, “but it’s about race, not feminism.” She pointed out to them the film clip that was played over and over again on television. A clip of a black man relating the story of his wife saying to him, ‘leave me and save the children.’ Her analysis: that people (tv viewers) are fed the image of the dead black mother - that becomes mainstream culture’s view and expectation of black women.
As with everything she said, it was provocative.
She spoke about the mental health of black women, all black people. Suggested a film for viewing - Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary, 4 Little Girls. Another film that came up was the current Crash. Totally panned by bell.
bell’s buddhist practice has permeated her political essays and lectures. she talked of speaking from the heart. believing in the open spaces between people. holding hope and love for Bush Jr. and Condaleeza Rice. “Casting blame is a dynamic of the dominant culture. … our binary thinking … black/white, good/evil … blame thinking supports victimization.” Instead of blame, accountability. responsibility. We whites benefit from racism and therefore are responsible to help undo it.
