becauseofthiswoman:

Name: bell hooksDates: 1952-presentWhy she rocks: She writes books on the interconnectivity of gender, race, class and how they have the ability to perpetuate systems of oppression and domination. She has published over thirty books and countless scholarly and mainstream articles, appeared in several documentaries, and speaks globally. Quote: I began writing a book on love because I felt that the United States is moving away from love.Because of this woman… there is a figurehead talking about how to end systems of oppression in our world. 

becauseofthiswoman:

Name: bell hooks
Dates: 1952-present

Why she rocks: She writes books on the interconnectivity of gender, race, class and how they have the ability to perpetuate systems of oppression and domination. She has published over thirty books and countless scholarly and mainstream articles, appeared in several documentaries, and speaks globally. 

QuoteI began writing a book on love because I felt that the United States is moving away from love.

Because of this woman… there is a figurehead talking about how to end systems of oppression in our world. 

Why didn’t I ever clue in to bell hooks being influenced by Paulo Freire?

I got so excited in my Women’s Studies class when I found that out, yo.

“That’s so cool!”

My prof grinned at me and the class giggled a bit.

Learning is fun!

Love redeems. Despite all the lovelessness that surrounds us, nothing has been able to block our longing for love, the intensity of our yearning. The understanding that love redeems appears to be a resilient aspect of the heart’s knowledge. The healing power of redemptive love lures us and calls us towards the possibility of healing. We cannot account for the presence of the heart’s knowledge. Like all great mysteries, we are all mysteriously called to love no matter the conditions of our lives, the degree of our depravity or despair. The persistence of this call gives us reason to hope. Without hope, we cannot return to love. Breaking our sense of isolation and opening up the window of opportunity, hope provides us with a reason to go forward. It is the practice of positive thinking. Being positive, living in a permanent state of hopefulness, renews the spirit. Renewing our faith in love’s promise, hope is our covenant.