Bell Hooks's View On Feminism
analytical Essay
1190 words
As an ever growing topic of debate in modern society, understanding feminism is critical to modern social and political stances. Beyoncé Knowles, a celebrity pop star has been a figure surrounded by debate for those seeking to define modern feminism. By examining her feminism, a great deal can be learned about different stance on modern feminism. As bell hooks defines it in her book, Feminism is for Everybody, “Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression” (viii). Through this definition, hooks is clear that feminism can be embraced by anyone, male or female, black or white, rich or poor so long as they oppose sexism and its ramifications since opposing sexism does not mean being against men but rather supporting …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how beyoncé's feminism is critical to modern social and political stances, as bell hooks defines it in her book, feminism is for everybody.
- Analyzes how beyoncé uses her celebrity status to promote women and confidence rather than just using it to achieve her own gains.
- Analyzes how beyoncé embraces feminism as the cause for ending sexism and creating equality between men and women.
- Analyzes how beyoncé embraces her own femininity through her body, which allows her to be a strong model for modern feminism.
- Explains that beyoncé is a feminist since she opposes sexism and promotes equality. recognizing her feminist stance is vital to understanding modern feminism.
Her confidence is well illustrated in the music video “Who Runs the World (Girls)” by her fierce, focused expression while dancing in skimpy, feminine clothing. In addition, she embraces her powerful feminine identity by comparing herself to a variety of powerful animals in the music video. These elements combine to illustrate Beyoncé’s acceptance of her own femininity but also show how she allows that to empower her, not weaken her. Her actions in the music video are complemented by her actions in real life such as posing in the GQ magazine in only her underwear. On the other hand, some such as Hadley Freeman feel that Beyoncé is too powerful to need to stoop to posing in such magazines; in Freeman’s words, “It’s another if you are professedly one of the most powerful women in the entertainment business who has no need of such tactics” (4). While it’s true that Beyoncé does not need such tactics, it does not necessarily follow that these tactics are in fact a bad thing and purely a publicity stunt. Rather, these tactics are her way of embracing her feminine identity in order to promote feminism in her own way. While perhaps untraditional in her methods, by fully embracing her feminine body, Beyoncé promotes a confident feminism that empowers women in order to eliminate
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- Analysis Of Beyoncé Knowles: An Untraditional Feminismanalytical essayAs an ever growing topic of debate in modern society, understanding feminism is critical to modern social and political stances. Beyoncé Knowles, a celebrity pop star has been a figure surrounded by debate for those seeking to define modern feminism. By examining her feminism, a great deal can be learned about different stance on modern feminism. As bell hooks defines it in her book, Feminism is for Everybody, “Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression” (viii). Through this definition, hooks is clear that feminism can be embraced by anyone, male or female, black or white, rich or poor so long as they oppose sexism and its ramifications since opposing sexism does not mean
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how beyoncé's feminism can be embraced by anyone, male or female, black or white, rich or poor, as long as they oppose sexism.
- Analyzes how beyoncé uses her celebrity status to promote women and confidence rather than just using it to achieve her own gains.
- Analyzes how beyoncé embraces feminism through her traditional marriage to promote equality between men and women.
- Analyzes how beyoncé embraces her own femininity through her body, which allows her to be a strong model for modern feminism.
- Explains that beyoncé is a feminist since she opposes sexism and promotes equality. recognizing her feminist stance is vital to understanding modern feminism.
1315 wordsRead More - Beyonce Is A Feminist: An Analysis Of Annie Lennoxanalytical essayIt seems as though all women like to have a say about who and who is not a feminist, whether they know the individual personally or not. Mostly, it seems to be ‘white feminists’ who like to decide whether another woman is a feminist or not. Annie Lennox is an example of this decision-making in her latest comments on Beyoncé Knowles not being a feminist but a “feminist lite”. In light of this, some ‘feminists of colour’ such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie say “we” need to help girls of colour and white girls unlearn the idea “that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are” bringing this concept up in one of Knowles’s songs, “***Flawless”, as a guest.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes annie lennox's comments on beyoncé as being a "feminist lite".
- Analyzes how lennox, a mother of young girls, takes issue with sexiness in front of children and is "disturbed" by it. enke's use of "anti-racism" is harsh.
- Analyzes how rina arya, an asian feminist, defines intersectionality as the intersection of gender, sex, race, class, and other categories that define people, believing that nothing is entirely based one thing.
- Analyzes how knowles is inclusive of conflicting feelings in pop culture. she believes that being sexy is something that can be learned and expressed.
- Analyzes how lennox's comments on knowles' sexuality were uncalled for if she didn't have the facts.
- Analyzes how lennox perpetuates the idea that a woman of colour's body is not her own. the intersectionality in 'black feminism' supports women of color against such comments.
- Opines that lennox's 'white feminism' in stifling knowles' sexuality is not how it is supposed to work.
1538 wordsRead More - Feminism is for everybodyanalytical essayFeminism is for Everybody, by bell hooks (2000), examines feminist perspective and theory politically, racially, economically, and socially within context to everyday life. Utilizing past experiences and perspective knowledge in a stylistic and accessible manner, hooks (2000) encapsulates a feminist vision for future endeavors towards an equal society. Within her critical analysis, hooks implicates several current issues affecting society, including reproductive rights, violence, parenting, love, race, work, and class. Concurrently, she initiates feminist thought and theory as a means of historical explanations and defining what, why, and how each concept consciously or unconsciously impacts our thoughts, opinions, actions, and norms. Optimistically, hooks (2000) simultaneously urges society to demand different alternatives to patriarchy, racism, and classism within our sexist, racist homophobic culture and aspires us to challenge or at least question how the concepts intertwine on a personal level.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how bell hooks (2000) examines feminist perspective and theory politically, racially, economically, and socially within context to everyday life.
- Opines that feminism is for everybody analyzes several key elements continuously affecting our society. most people, especially the youth, accept the reality media constructs.
- Analyzes how hooks (2000) emphasizes race and racism as a groundbreaking intervention changing the face of feminism between women of color and white women.
- Analyzes how hooks' discussion of class between white women deals primarily with media perception and coverage. mass-mediated culture shapes public perception to believe the only way of "making it" is to vicariously live through rich powerful people.
703 wordsRead More - Essay On Lena Dunhamanalytical essay“Feminist” has a negative connotation nowadays; we often times here people call feminists “feminazis,” “man haters,” or even just a “bitch.” Many people think that “feminism is anti- male” (Hooks). Many female celebrities stay hush about the issues surrounding females every day, but Lena Dunham is not one of them. Stemming from a family of artists, Lena became a writer, actress, producer, and director and was put in the spotlight. Instead of keeping hush about the world and Hollywood’s issues pertaining to the mistreatment of not only women, but those of different genders and other oppressed people as well. Lena Dunham shows her bold character and feminist visions by using her pedestal to speak out on social and political issues.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes dani di placido's article titled "lena dunham is a monster of our own creation," wherein lena is described as an ugly, annoying, femin-azi.
- Explains that lena dunham is privileged in many different ways; she is white, grew up in a wealthy household, and is heterosexual.
- Analyzes how their background gives them the upper hand in society, and how they are oppressed in certain aspects.
- Analyzes how lena dunham has used her fame to speak out on her feminist views. she is not afraid to share her political and social opinions and views, which is why she receives hate.
- Analyzes how lena dunham, a self-proclaimed feminist, uses her pedestal to speak out on social and political issues.
1205 wordsRead More - Celebrities Are Celebritiesanalytical essayOn the other end of the spectrum lies Meghan Murphy, a writer for Feminist Current who thinks that asking celebrities whether or not they are feminists is useless. In her online opinion column, “Asking Female Celebrities If They Are Feminists Is Useless,” Murphy argues that too many celebrities have no idea what the true definition of feminism is and that asking them only causes them to get skewered in the media for answering “wrong.” She argues that their answers do not provide teaching moments because they did not become famous for their social justice activism, and that if someone is truly curious about feminism, they should ask a well noted feminist who has solid information on the topic. It is easy to see that Murphy has intended this paper for people that are already feminists, considering she published her article on Feminist Current. Murphy is likely to be more successful in persuading her target audience because she uses celebrities to appeal to the interest of the readers, she mentions that asking a celebrity about feminism is illogical since that is not their field of expertise, and she presents credibility through strong quote analysis that accentuates her
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how amanda duberman of the huffington post is an advocate of asking celebrities whether they are feminists. meghan murphy, a writer for feminist current, thinks asking them about feminism is illogical.
- Analyzes how duberman's article isn't nearly as strong or persuasive as murphy’s. she mentions lady gaga and lana del ray and their views on feminism, but she uses quick phrases rather than solid quotes.
- Analyzes how murphy successfully utilizes celebrities to draw in readers and back her point. she argues that songs about using sexuality as a "commodity" are not empowering to women.
- Opines that meghan murphy is more successful at persuading her target audience because she hits all of the rhetorical appeals very well.
1167 wordsRead More - Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Use Their Voices for the Goodanalytical essayWomen earn significantly less compared to men in the workforce, usually around 23% less. Although this is a publicized statistic and is blatantly unfair, little action is taken to ameliorate the disparity. It is time to step aside, the Beyslayers are coming through, we run the world, now countdown and let us upgrade you. Power is in the voice, and, the power of the voice can energize a nation. Fortunately, Beyoncé is that voice. Taylor Swift is a prime example of someone who uses her voice to deliver a message to society; however, her message is one that weakens the female character and undermines the capabilities and strength of women. This behavior is unacceptable and we the Beyslayers say, “Renounce Taylor, reinstate feminism.”
In this essay, the author
- Argues that women earn significantly less than men in the workforce, but little action is taken to ameliorate the disparity.
- Analyzes the relationship between taylor swift and beyoncé knowles-carter and their female followers.
- Analyzes how taylor swift uses her virginal, good, pure, patriarchy-friendly lyrics to disempower women.
- Analyzes swift's song "fifteen" where she mentions a female friend. the lyrics allude to swift’s friend, abigail, having sex with her boyfriend.
- Argues that swift's role as a model towards young women is dangerous because she avoids taking responsibility for aspects of her career and failed relationships.
- Analyzes how beyoncé's history refutes the lack of substantial meaning in swift’s lyrics. when swift was nineteen, she released her song “love story,” about a girl waiting around for her boy to take her away.
- Explains that beyoncé's self-titled album has been deemed "beyonce’s manifesto." it includes feminist lessons by singing about motherhood, body image, power, sexuality, and self love.
- Analyzes how nigerian author chimamanda ngozi adichie's ted talk "we should all be feminists" is a powerful break in "***flawless."
- Explains that girls are taught to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller, and to aim for success, but not too much, or threaten the man. why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage?
- Analyzes how the song speaks about how women should see themselves, in the end, as more than merely a wife. beyoncé is forcing people to take ownership of who they are.
- Opines that taylor swift's influence over young girls leaves her in a position of power and responsibility. swift is expected to empower her listeners with messages of independence, strength, and equality.
821 wordsRead More - Bell Hooks Ain T I A Woman Analysisopinion essayIn bell hooks Ain't I A Woman she gives a look into how being a black woman in America is the greatest disadvantage facing any American. She starts by explain how black women since the start of slavery have been more oppressed and discriminated against more than any group in the nation. She also explains that this is how it has been since African American women were brought to America and still plays a part in American society today. hooks has been criticized harshly for her so called male bashing in the book, I personally do not believe that it should be called male bashing.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how bell hooks' ain't i a woman explains how being a black woman in america is the greatest disadvantage facing any american. hooks has been criticized harshly for her so-called male bashing.
- Analyzes hooks' argument in her book that white males created a social hierarchy based off rank and sex. this set up the perfect system for black women to be oppressed more than any other group
- Disagrees with the fact that she is a male basher because she knows how it feels to be part of the most oppressed group in the nation.
- Opines that she was harsher on the black males than whites because of the fact that black men took all the credit for the push for civil and equal rights.
- Analyzes how hook describes that black women are in the most vulnerable position throughout the book. women were treated as chattel and not humans when slavery was introduced to america.
- Explains that women slaves were raped and stripped of any integrity or dignity. this abuse has a toll on african women. after being freed from slavery, black women were considered sexually loose and inept.
- Explains that the lasting impact on african american women is the way they are treated and portrayed by all men.
- Opines that the media stereotypes hooks uses in her book are still relevant today. the terms and way african american women have been treated will always be relevant in modern society.
- Explains hooks believes that black women don't want to be called feminist because they are only fighting for white women's rights.
- Opines that the equality for health care and sexual education for african american women has improved the quality of life for a lot of people.
- Opines that black women are not glamorized as much as white women in movies and television, which is troubling because white actors and actresses will not cast the correct race for certain roles.
- Opines that all in all bell hooks is a moving piece that has made them think about how society treats all of its people.
1334 wordsRead More - Summary Of Bell Hooks By Gloria Watkinsanalytical essaybell hooks, the pen name of Gloria Watkins, wrote numerous books on social problems of the time period. In this particular article, Watkins describes what Americans truly think about poverty. She argues that the poor are represented in a negative manner, and she proposes solutions to this problem.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how gloria watkins wrote numerous books on social problems of the time period. she argues that the poor are represented in a negative manner and proposes solutions.
- Analyzes watkins' personal experience at stanford to prove the negative connotation of the poor.
- Analyzes how watkins conveys that media plays an important role in the negative connotation of the poor.
- Explains that watkins believes that one can live a life of great value but be poor, and that wealth and resources must be distributed equally to change the negative connotation of the poor.
- Analyzes how watkins identifies a problem within society towards the poor through media and personal experience.
275 wordsRead More - Feminism In Beyonce's Song 'Flawless'opinion essayI believe that feminism is perfectly described in Beyonce’s song ‘Flawless’ by critiquing the expectations that society places on women: “Why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage, but we don’t teach boys the same?” Feminism is a growing part of society which has helped equality become more evident. Despite the still-evident gender pay gap, many steps have been made to improve equality between men and women.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that feminism is perfectly described in beyonce’s song ‘flawless’ by critiquing the expectations that society places on women. feminism has helped equality become more evident.
- Analyzes how the portrayal of feminists has evolved from man-hating lesbians to empowering role models.
- Opines that if someone is not a feminist, they allow and promote discrimination against women.
309 wordsRead More - Feminism: Not The Empowerment Of Womenanalytical essayWhen Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave her Ted Talk on feminism, she inspired Beyoncé to dedicate a song on her album to the feminist movement. Nearly a feminist anthem, “Flawless” empowers women to be proud of who they are without depending on a man for a definition of success. A minute of the song is Chimamanda reciting what she said in her Tedx Talk: “We raise girls to see each other as competitors, not for jobs or for accomplishment…but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are. Feminist: the person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes” (Hapsis, Emmanuel). Chimamanda redefines feminism in a way that ensures that both genders are equally represented and they have the same rights. This is central to the feminist movement, for it is not just about the empowerment of women but also the representation of men. Even though Beyoncé does not shy away from being called a feminist, many celebrities are afraid of being labeled one, thinking that the connotation is negative (Meltzer, Marisa). The new campaign that Emma Watson is doing with the United Nations, HeForShe, encourages men to stand for gender equality, bridging the divide between men and women and the assumed gender roles ("Full Transcript of Emma Watson 's Speech on Gender Equality at the UN”). People who do not know what feminism stands for assume that they should not support the cause, believing that the feminist movement goes against men. The lack of education on what the movement stands for has created a stigma with the word, preventing people from knowing the true meaning of the
In this essay, the author
- Explains that feminism symbolizes a movement for women who hate men, bras, and anything that lessens the power of women.
- Analyzes how the women's suffrage movement was successful and influenced many literary works, including the awakening by kate chopin.
- Analyzes how esther greenwood, an ambitious, young writer, succumbs to her depression and attempts at suicide several times.
- Analyzes how chimamanda ngozi adichie's ted talk inspired beyoncé to dedicate a song on her album to the feminist movement.
- Analyzes how their grandmother's life inspired them to adopt the ideas of feminism. feminism is not the oppression of men or the belief that women should not marry.
- Argues that feminism supports the idea of equality between men and women in their capabilities, duties, and privileges.
1787 wordsRead More