Feminist Theory: From Margin To Center

196 Pages·1984·47.421 MB·English

by  Bell Hooks

FEMINIST THEORY: FROM MARGIN TO CENTER

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r o m m a r 1n
t o c e n t e r
:bell hooks
south end press
Copyright © 1984 by bell hooks
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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
H'ooks, Bell.
Feminist theory from margin to center.
Bibliography: p.
1. Feminism-Unit.eel States-Evaluation. 2. Afro
American women-Attitudes. 3. Marginality,
Social-United States. I. Title.
HQ1426.H675 1984 305.4'2'0973 84-50937
ISBN 0-89608-222-9
ISBN 0-89608-221-0 (pbk.)
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South End Press 302 Columbus Ave Boston MA 02116
For us sisters-Angela, Gwenda, Valeria,
Theresa, Sarah
For all we have shared
for all we have come through together
for continuing closeness

acknowledgments
Not all women, in fact, very few have had the good
fortune to live and work among women and men actively
involved in feminist movement. Many of us live in circum
stances and environments where we must engage in femi
nist struggle alone with only occasional support and affir
mation. During much of the writing of Ain't I A Woman:
black women and feminism I worked in isolation. It was my
hope that the publication of this work would draw me closer
to feminist activists, especially black women. Ironically,
some of the most outspoken black women active in feminist
movement responded by trashing both it and me. While I
expected serious rigorous evaluation of my work I was
totally unprepared for the hostility and contempt shown me
by women whom I did not and do not see as enemies. Despite
their responses I share with them an ongoing commitment
to feminist struggle. To me this does not mean that we must
approach feminism from the same perspective. It does mean
we have a basis for communication, that our political com
mitments should lead us to talk and struggle together.
Unfortunately it is often easier to ignore, dismiss, reject, and
even hurt one another rather than engage in constructive
confrontation.
Were it not for the overwhelmingly positive responses to
the book from black women who felt it compelled them to
either re-think or think for the first time about the impact of
sexism on our lives and the importance of feminist move
ment, I might have become terribly disheartened and dis
illusioned. Thanks to them and many other women and men
this book was not written in isolation. I am especially grate
ful for the care and affirmation given me by Valeria and
Gwenda, my younger sisters; Beverly, my friend and com
rade; Nate, my companion; and the South End Press collec
tive. Such encouragement renews my commitment to femi
nist politics and strengthens my conviction that the value of
feminist writing must be determined not only by the way a
work is received among feminist activists but by the extent
to which it draws women and men who are outside feminist
struggle inside.