bell hooks: Cultural Criticism & Transformation

http://www.mediaed.org

bell hooks is one of America's most accessible public intellectuals. In this two-part video, extensively illustrated with many of the images under analysis, she makes a compelling argument for the transformative power of cultural criticism.

In Part One, hooks discusses the theoretical foundations and positions that inform her work (such as the motives behind representations, as well as their power in social and cultural life). hooks also explains why she insists on using the phrase "white supremacist capitalist patriarchy" to describe the interlocking systems of domination that define our reality.

In Part Two, she domonstrates the value of cultural studies in concrete analysis through such subjects as the OJ Simpson case, Madonna, Spike Lee, and Gangsta rap. The aim of cultural analysis, she argues, should be the production of enlightened witnesses - audiences who engaged with the representations of cultural life knowledgeably and vigilantly.

"The issue is not freeing ourselves from representations. It's really about being enlightened witnesses when we watch representations." -bell hooks

• Category

  News & Politics

[Brandon Mitchell]

even King was dissatisfied with the progress he made toward combating racial oppression, you would know this if you actually looked at Kings later speeches and work...but that's beside the point, the effectiveness of any attempt to change the world is TOTALLY DEPENDENT on how accurate your interpretation of the world is, social-psych and cultural critique are tow of the most powerful tools to obtain this...

[Creatiopoetic]

i'm under the impression you didn't watch this interview in its entirety..this is only a 6min portion of it. she does go over every point you brought up (division/manipulation.etc)

[Keni Arts]

bell hooks touches on the effects of having a 'sense of entitlement'. Certainly many people who graduate from Ivy league schools have that. One reason blacks achieved against all odds was not by their school or family pedigree, but by their spiritual upbringing. One main reason you don't see order in the classroom is that it was not modeled at home. Even if there was not order at home, there usually is at church.

[Robin Catton]

We all need to wake up. We need to do good. Talk good. Feel good. Think good.

I have no respect for a female like this who is anti-men. Her anti-patriarchal teachings are just treason against family and society.

There will be no 'Cultural Transformation' unless we all play our roles. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters.

If we just keep on with all this wise ass 'Cultural Transformation'' crapola; we are going to choke on our own sewage. In fact if you look real hard; it's happening now.

[babs22hh]

thank you hun!!!1 Preach!

I'm glad someone else sees this!!!! people need to wake up!

[GQ237]

Using media to enhance understanding and critical thinking skills for students is a great idea. I wish my teachers would do that more often, it would make class so much more interesting! She also said the goal at the Harlem school was to just give students the tools for survival, not critical thinking skills. I think both are necessary, and should be taught at all schools.

[Cristina Then]

Seguro que no conoces para nada el trabajo de Bell Hooks, sus posiciones politicas, su trabajo teorico... Y tal vez tampoco viste el video completo para luego empezar a "teorizar" sobre lo obvio. Por cierto... y antes de que digas otra estupidez: si no me entiendes, trata con Google Translate...o vete a aprender español. Saludos.

[illchillwill1]

Bell Hooks,qouting her own book, explains the importance and strength of popluar culture, like movies, musics and television shows. More and more people give up reading instead of popular ways to gain imformation. The phenomenon hases not show anything stops or slows down that change. People, especially young people might lose critical thinking in that way, which would be a terrible lost.