Feminism is for Everybody

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"782","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","data-thmr":"thmr_158","height":"200","style":"float: left;","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"129"}}]]Feminism Is for Everybody - Passionate Politics by author bell hooks (prefers that her name be spelled in all lower case letters) lives up to its title. It is a passionate account of the struggles and challenges faced by the feminist movement. The account also makes a strong case for the inclusion of men within the movement. One of the arguments that hooks makes throughout the book is that feminism—creating a world free of sexism—is only possible if men and women both believe in and fight for the feminist cause.

The patriarchal society is based on the power of man over women; of boss over underling; of lesbian lover over partner; and, of parent over child. Relationships built on this uneven turf are doomed to fail. In order to achieve societal transformation, everyone must learn to think in a non-sexist fashion. Activist hooks repeatedly makes the point that little boys and little girls need to receive an equal education on sexism. They will therefore be able to naturally develop the ability to think in an anti-sexist manner. By creating a society in which women and men are truly equals, the potential for honest, full, committed relationships for everyone will be the reward.

Author hooks provides a history of the feminist movement—its successes, failures, disappointments and readjustments. The reader is told in the first section that the basic goal of feminism is the replacement of the patriarchal system existing in the society with one free of male dominance and sexism. She readily points out the many benefits for all.

Within that large framework, hooks takes each sub-category of the feminist platform and explains its progress toward the end goal. Each of the sub-categories must succeed in order to reach the ultimate goal of an equal society for both genders. Issues such as racism and classism are elements that intersect very closely with feminism. The eradication of racist, classist and sexist thinking and behavior is essential in achieving the feminist agenda.

Author hooks also dedicates ample space to what feminism is not. It is not fighting to allow only a few privileged, upper-class women to succeed; rather, its struggles focuses on the betterment of all women and men. Feminism is not synonymous with lesbianism. Removing the negativity of the patriarchal system will provide a better life for gay and straight and man and woman.

For the future of feminism which has declined recently in popularity and public relevance, radical visionary feminism urges each woman to examine her own life to better understand her position within the framework of the patriarchal society. In its impending renewal, feminism must take strength from the great strides that women and men have towards gender equality. Feminism is for everybody.

Download the pdf for the whole book.

List of Contents:

INTRODUCTION Come Closer to Feminism

1. FEMINIST POLITICS Where We Stand

2. CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING A Constant Change of Heart

3. SISTERHOOD IS STILL POWERFUL

4. FEMINIST EDUCATION FOR CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

5. OUR BODIES, OURSELVES Reproductive Rights

6. BEAUTY WITHIN AND WITHOUT

7. FEMINIST CLASS STRUGGLE

8. GLOBAL FEMINISM

9. WOMEN AT WORK

10. RACE AND GENDER

11. ENDING VIOLENCE

12. FEMINIST MASCULINITY

13. FEMINIST PARENTING

14. LIBERATING MARRIAGE

AND PARTNERSHIP

15. A FEMINIST SEXUAL POLITIC

An Ethics of Mutual Freedom

16. TOTAL BLISS

Lesbianism and Feminism

17. TO LOVE AGAIN

The Heart of Feminism

18. FEMINIST SPIRITUALITY

19. VISIONARY FEMINISM

Summary via Bookrags