Mind, Body and Soul - Women of Color Conference Keynote

[gysharp]

Some black people want to move past racism, but most white people will not let them. You see, we always see color first and that manages how we respond to each other. We do manage our relationships with a set of rules and if we are true to our self we all approach the relationship with rules based on color. White America continues to reap the benefits from the shame of their ancestors,but they do not want the responsibility of fixing the shame.

[Freevoice1960]

It's always white people doing something to black people (the innocent poor) always needing pitty....like children that never grow up. It is a sad state of affairs that all these socalled educated people pass this burden to those that come behind them as a something to treasure.....lord have mercy!....there is no such thing as white feminism and black feminism....only benefits those that talk about it.

[dalishisnsassy]

@Freevoice1960 So with that said,is there no difference within the experiences of being a white/black woman?

[Freevoice1960]

@dalishisnsassy it depends on the context......not all women are the same no matter what color. When you get to the feminist thought process it is all about destruction in the name of power so I don't understand why black women would follow that train of thought...thinking that it's about their liberation...

[SandrineSoprano]

Nice one. Divinely-inspired

[Vrijestem]

The fact that she talks about deconstructing Patriarchy (abolishing men) makes her suspectthe same mindset of radical gender feminist ala Gloria Steinem et al that has been wrecking havoc on the black community and society at large.

[MlleButterfly]

@Vrijestem Deconstructing Patriarchy does not mean "abolishing" or getting rid of men. Instead it forces us to look critically at the reigning cultural values. It attempts to expose a deeply flawed system that often encourages violence and domination. Bell Hooks suggests an alternative moving in the direction toward love. She talks about not casting blame because it hinders our ability to take positive action and robs us of responsibility and creativity. Men are essential to this process.

[peckerdecker]

A great video - thank you for sharing

I listened carefully and It took me about four viewings

Ms Hooks has a very nice/ sweet voice (and NOT an angry voice)

Please do share more

Best wishes MR pecker Decker

[JahariKavi]

dang...thought this was a too short video...

[Vrijestem]

Europe did not start cattle slavery? So why does Africa has English, france, dutch and belgian colonies. Why do france and the Netherlands still have colonies in South America. Yes it was the Church and the queen of Spain who gave the orders that it was ok to use Africans as slaves to replace the European serfs. Black socialist, white socialist aka liberals are of the same mindset...so be objective...who invented the word RACISM?

[MlleButterfly]

@Vrijestem It's "Chattel Slavery". It is important when talking about these subjects you understand the words and their actual meaning otherwise you misunderstand the entire argument.

[Vrijestem]

@MlleButterfly ........you need to check your dictionary....I don't understand the word?...you got to be kidding me, my native toque is Dutch and I understand darn well what I am talking about. Cattle means animals and that is exactly how Africans sold their own into slavery....like animals, dehumanizing them before they got to the America's.

[MlleButterfly]

@Vrijestem If English is not your native tongue, I can understand how you might mistake some of the subtleties. But I insist, the word that Bell Hooks is using is "Chattel" not "Cattle" slavery. Not only does the term apply to a concept and a practice but, most of all, it is an ideology extending far beyond using humans as cattle.

[5104560711]

@Vrijestem now wait a second when Africans sold their war prisoners into slavery they werent operating on the same slavery system as europeans were. slavery in Africa was similar to indentured servitude in europe. slaves in Africa could actually rise up in ranks to scholarly and royal positions. there is no comparing the two.

[Freevoice1960]

@5104560711 ...you are a big hypocrite. Africans and Europeans had the same feudal system and I quote you..."Slavery in Africa was similar to indentured servitude in Europe." and Africans sold their people to Europeans for monetary gain and not the other way around...so give me a break with "slaves in Africa could actually rise up in ranks. It's ok when you do it....that's why black people are still where they are you fool.

[5104560711]

@Freevoice1960 what was said about self gain, that's not where my argument lies. historically no form of slavery is comparable to the enslavement of Africans by europeans. slaves in Africa were seen as war captives, not property. they were not enslaved for life, broken up from thier families, raped and beaten and they could eventually come out of slavery. thats what i am saying. n stop with the name calling 1960 it makes u look childesh. debate with facts, not mere comebacks.

[Freevoice1960]

@5104560711 Africans were dehumanized by Africans before they became objects of exploitation by Europeans...so you need to take a look in the mirror and stop blaming Europeans for the barbarism of Africans....black people need to stop the non-sense of blaming their wickedness and irresponsibility on other people....it is so tired

[5104560711]

@Freevoice1960 BARBARISM ha! do u really want to get into that 1960, u sound like a pretty opinionated fellow.. i dont wanna break u down. u might wanna take a few more history classes before u start to throw out the word barbarism. (yes yes, Black ppl who do nothing and blame everything on europeans are tired; but baby history speaks for its self. ud better pick up a book before u begin this debate while u just throwing out assumptions.)

[SandrineSoprano]

@Freevoice1960 I dont exactly agree. Im from the French WestIndies, & aware on my island of decimations: wak Indians by Caribbean Indians, then genocide of the latter by the Spanish colonizing forces.Then there Enslaving by Europeans of Africans, in my land, barbaric treatments;Cheap labour imports of Indians & Chinese people by the Europeans; rape&sexual domination,99% from the Europeans onto the other races.Then another type of slavery, v Blacks: mind-manipulation towards inferiority complex.

[Freevoice1960]

@SandrineSoprano you don't have to agree but the fact remains that Africans started the dehumanization of their own people way before the Europeans came in.....I was born in Suriname and nobody can convince me that whatever happens today with black people around the globe is solely to be blamed on Europeans. If black people directed the same energy that they use to blame Europeans, in their own human development things would be different today period.

[MrRadaikon]

Chattel and Cattle are TWO different words!

[MlleButterfly]

@Vrijestem Another thing! While some liberals may embrace socialism, not all liberals are socialists. It is not logical to mash these terms together. It actually weakens the credibility of your argument especially when you demand that people be "objective".

[Vrijestem]

Sweden and most of the European countries are socialist which is a more sophisticated form of communism so in that regard they are one and the same. As for slavery...check the history books to find what European countries started slavery and brought it to the new world that is now the United States of America. Communism, Socialism is SLAVERY!

[sRcYhAoNltz]

haha shes a nigger...i wanna say that i feel bad for her...but i dont

[Princess124]

ur an asshole

[tesssssssK]

RezaDemocrat... would you kindly explain what is wrong with that argument?

hooks and Mohanty clearly make sense when they accuse white feminists of speaking on behalf of ALL women... disregarding race and the fact that many black women experience racism before sexism.

By arguing that "Sisterhood" is not global, how is that racist?

ps. I went to the university too.

[Tony2922005]

REZADemocrat: You just might be the dumbest fuck on this community site. Your grammar is horrendous. Please continue to make me laugh with your idiotic postings. Your stupidity makes me glad I went to college. Also, try not to breed. Thank you

[kindu2006]

Ah! If only I was older!!! I aim to introduce my children (hopefully, I have some) to bell hooks the moment they are old enough to think for themselves...This woman, save perhaps for my mother and my grandmother, has influenced my life beyond my ability to express it with words - unlike her, of course, whose genius, clarity of thought, breath and depth of knowledge, makes her a human wonder: I sometimes feel the propensity to worship her; but I know I would be doing her a disservice.

[jmeansb]

not sure if my comment posted.. basically I am agreeing with u Kindu. Whenever I read Ms Hooks or hear her speak I am assured that I am not "crazy", as the men I've encountered seem to think and would have me and others believe. Her thoughts are wonderfully refreshing and clearly stated... I feel as though I am consuming living water.. 's more liberating.. more enlightening than any encounter I've ever had in "church."

[kindu2006]

The bit about learning to understand others rather than blaming them reminds one of the work of Augusto Boal.

[strizen]

I read 'Outlaw Culture' and 'Class Matters' and was blown away. Also a great interview with her is broken up in parts on youtube. That said, I don't really think she is as great anymore. She's too bogged down in academic and theoretical language. She's constantly ascribing problems in society at large and the black community to patriarchy and dominator culture, which I think is misguided. If anyone is interested in some good criminal justice analysis about race and crime check out City Journal.

[rungirl05]

more bell hooks, please!!

[timesnz]

a gift do someone like this

[mellstar78]

thank you for the add. this is major!

[rcharla1]

Not only is bell hooks a genius, but her spirit exudes just enough humility and just the right measures of confidence and passion for me to understand her very practical philosophy or even want to understand it. Love bell hooks!

[Gunnabee]

Thank you UOregon for posting this fantastic oration from one of the worlds leading cultural thinkers.

[queendamaris]

One of the most unique philosophical minds to come forth in the twentieth century.

[coffeebeaner]

I agree with you calling her a philosopher. There is a need for this title to describe her.

[coffeebeaner]

Thank you so much for adding this!

[samdonuge]

man, watchin bell hooks on youtube. aren't we a rarity

[coffeebeaner]

More people should now about her, unfortunately. :\