Review: Ain’t I a Woman by bell hooks
Title: Ain’t I A Woman? Black Women and Feminism
Author: hooks, bell
Length: 205 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Race, Gender
Publisher / Year: South End Press / 1981
Source: Purchased in 2010.
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: Our October read for the Year of Feminist Classics group – yes, I am a bit behind.
Date Read: 20/11/11
This book should really be required reading for all. It tackles the intersection of race and gender at a time when doing so was not as common or accepted as it is today. In this book hooks argues that the black power movement was sexist and the feminist movement was racist and so black women suffer in both and have a tough choice in deciding how to devote their time and energies.
In most literature, especially feminist literature, hooks argues, men is used to mean only white men, woman is used to mean only white women and blacks or Negroes is used to mean only males. In this way we can get histories of black men or histories of white women but in both cases black women are all but ignored. (As an aside, The Real Help Project I’m running with Amanda is also showing this gap, which hooks discusses in this book.)
Hooks makes clear throughout the book why we have to be careful in choosing our reading list for projects such as the Feminist Classics one – we at first had no authors of color until it was pointed out to us. And many reviewers have been noting again and again how little the authors of other feminist classics talk about race or class and how their concerns are really often only the concerns of the well-off or upper-middle class white women.
The discussion on power and marriage when it comes to interracial relationships was fascinating. Hooks talks about why it is seen as more acceptable for white women and black men to marry than black women and white men – and how the power structures of patriarchal society plays into this. She also talks a lot about the myths and stereotypes that we have inherited and how powerful they still truly are.
Another subject that was so powerfully discussed was that of the matriarch myth. There are a number of stereotypes as I mentioned, but one which does the most harm, hooks argues, is that of the matriarch. When women have no power at all it is simply scapegoating them to call them a matriarch. They are hardly responsible for troubles befalling black families, but society is pinning it on them anyway by pretending that these women have any kind of power besides money making in jobs available to no one else. Racist society keeps black men out of power and then pushes the blame to black females – clever, no? And also scary.
I noted almost every page or few pages in this book for some idea or another that I wanted to come back to and I can share but a couple of them here, so instead I have to urge you to read this book. Hooks is creating, in this book, accountability to all of us to find true history and to ensure that we look at all oppression instead of focusing on only one. She was one of the first in a line of scholars working on the intersectionality of oppressions and for that this work should be read by all.
Excellent review, Amy. I particularly enjoyed your thoughts on the myth of the matriarchy. That’s also something people often say of the North West of Portugal (where I grew up) and it just drives me bonkers.
Ridiculous when you really think about it isn’t it Ana?
Fascinating stuff. I’ve heard of this book, of course, but haven’t read it. I’ll have to do so. Thanks for sharing.
I do hope you give it a read Julie, such an important book.
Brilliant review, Amy. Well articulated points on ‘matriarchy’ and the way Black men are kept down by racism…Using racism as a tool in this way, Black communities are paralysed as Black women spend most of their time and energy trying to survive the rot in their families and communities…
Bell Hooks’ Ain’t I a Woman should be a compulsory classic text in secondary education all over the world..
It’s sad isn’t it Adura, how well it works? I really think that it should be required for everyone as you suggest.
I really need to read this one. I’ve gotten away from feminist nonfiction this year (no idea why, just happened) but next year I’d like to focus more of my reading on these types of books that I’ve been meaning to read for years. Excellent review, Amy!
Thanks Heather. I hope that you are able to read a few more next year, including this one!
We’re reading Killing Rage in the next year for my book club. This one might be a good candidate for the next year. Thanks!
Oohhh that sounds good too Joy, I must put it on my list.
I have been hearing a lot about this book all over the place, but haven’t really known what it was about before. It sounds like there is a lot here to chew over and think about. I am glad that you found it satisfying, and I am adding to my list. Thanks for the great review, Amy!
Definitely so much in it of importance zibilee, highly recommended!
I read this one ages ago and really enjoyed it. Definitely a must read! Loved your review of it, Amy
Thanks Nadia!
I agree that this is one of those books that is impossible to make notes from; you just want to read and re-read. I feel the same way about Audre Lorde’s Sister Outsider.
I’m looking forward to reading that one soon BuriedInPrint
I devoured the first half of this book, got distracted, and haven’t gone back! I really need to finish it.
You really do Trisha
lol
I am relieved to say that we were assigned the classic “Ain’t I A Woman” speech by Sojourner Truth in both my US History courses and that one women’s studies class I took…..but simultaneously sad to say I never read anything by bell hooks! I’m glad our project is helping out my black feminist gap, heh.
That’s awesome Amanda. But you really must read hooks
Okay okayyyyy
*edits wishlist*
Good!
I echo Nymeth on the matriarchy myth. My culture is matrilineal. However one slices it, the men find a way to lord it over the women or the women give away the power. Hooks is a darling. I like that her books are written in an accessible, less academic manner.
I was thinking of Ghana off and on as well as I read it Kinna, I have to say. Though I think from what little I’ve read the situation for women there is slightly better in some ways – or at least it was traditionally?
I also LOVE how accessible this book was. Certainly one that can be recommended to absolutely anyone.