Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center

Sexual oppression is perpetuated by the institutions in power but also by the women who act according to the rules of those institutions. In order to combat sexual oppression, hooks says that women should unlearn the teachings of patriarchy, develop political consciousness, and reinforce their ties to other women. Once class, race, and privilege divisions are eliminated, “sustained woman bonding can occur” (44). She calls for a more comprehensive understanding of sisterhood that incorporates more than just bourgeois, white women’s agendas. Otherwise, the feminist movement will be overcome with patriarchal ideologies.

hooks approaches the question of victimization from a racial perspective. She notes how white feminists are more likely to victimize themselves while, paradoxically, upholding classist and racist beliefs, stating that “[t]he image of the ‘strong’ black woman is evoked in the writings of a number of white activists” (47). While “strong” is a positive characteristic, Black women are often characterized as strong and capable to the point that their needs are ignored. This contributes to the false assumption that Black women do not need to be included in feminist discourse. hooks claims that feminists should define their own social terms and only then practice solidarity with one another. Sexist oppression and white supremacist patriarchy encourage women to act maliciously against other women, especially those from different social classes, economic classes, or races. Regarding race, hooks states that “[u]ntil white supremacy is understood and attacked by white women” (56), sisterhood can never be achieved, and the feminist movement will continue to be hampered by racism. Furthermore, divisions among women of color must be addressed and healed. Sisterhood, in its essence, respects cultural and ethnic differences and does not aim to create an umbrella of “sameness” over its members. Working toward solidarity means recognizing the experiences of other women as legitimate.

Similar to her discussion of racism, hooks notes that both first- and second-wave feminists did not address class issues. She asserts that while gender equality would improve the lives of working-class women, it would not undo the struggles that result from being poor. In ignoring class, she says that feminists “equated psychological pain with material deprivation” (60) and continue to perpetuate sexist oppression by, for example, hiring underpaid housekeepers to shoulder domestic labor. hooks concludes this chapter by stating that every woman should be invested in all women and fight different forms of oppression in solidarity, even if those oppressions don’t affect them directly.

By defining sexist oppression as a struggle between men and women, hooks says that feminists imply “that the empowerment of women would necessarily be at the expense of men” (68). Though feminists have historically grouped all men into a monolithic “enemy,” hooks argues that not all men share the same privileges in society. She claims that while Black men and women struggle together in political solidarity, further acknowledgment of gender solidarity against sexist oppression must be pursued.

hooks centers this “reactionary separatism,” as she terms it, in the false belief that women have only two options: to accept sexual oppression or withdraw from it completely into their own subculture. Instead, she argues that men also suffer from patriarchal systems, and the feminist movement should acknowledge this.

The “process by which men act as oppressors and are oppressed” (75) is most notable in Black communities, where men experience racist oppression from society but often oppress the women in their households. hooks believes that Black women are often reluctant to acknowledge abuse from Black men as it might lead to greater forms of victimization and abuse.

The feminist movement should include, as part of its objectives, ways for men to unlearn sexism. Though many feminists desire separation from men in order to care for themselves, hooks stresses the importance of building a community and changing all aspects of oppressive systems for a more balanced society. To achieve this, feminist writings should present praxis detailing how women can live their lives in conjunction with men, and vice versa. hooks believes it is essential for women’s liberation to view men as “comrades” and include them in social solidarity.