Hooks: Feminism is For Everybody

In this piece, Hook discusses the need to return to a clearly and simply defined feminism, based on ending “sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” My favorite part of this chapter is that he says what many others forget: women can be sexist too! Sadly, its true that many women, in fact, most of us in some way or another, support the sexist behaviors and structures that make up our society. Even women who are supportive of feminism often forget the underlying ideal of feminism, which is, of course, equality. I was shocked to read about the various instances in history where women have selfishly perpetuated inequality by doing to other disadvantaged groups (racial and ethnic minorities, those of a low socioeconomic status), the same disfavors that sexist men and women have subjected us to in the past. I found it really sad that to some degree, equality for women was achieved at the price of, for example, racial equality. This caused me to wonder how we might have achieved both simultaneously and whether our social structures could even handle such change all at once. I think another very good topic to consider that goes hand in hand with Hook’s ideas is how sexism affects men, whether it be through stereotypes or disadvantages in certain situations.