Question

Hooks’ three criticisms of feminism

Cohen’s view of speciesism

The Land Ethic

Answer 1

• Hooks defined black feminism as a survival mechanism that African-American women have and continue to need to use to challenge their multifaceted oppression.
• Hooks argued that if feminism seeks to make women equal to men, then it is impossible because in Western society, not all men are equal.
• She claimed, Women in lower class and poor groups, particularly those who are non-white, would not have defined women's liberation as women gaining social equality with men since they are continually reminded in their everyday lives that all women do not share a common social status.
• In particular, she speaks to young female readers who know little about feminism, many of whom falsely assume that sexism is no longer a problem or is "no longer relevant since women now have equality.
• Hooks also speaks to male readers, assuring them that we too can play a positive role in the feminist movement. The bottom line is that feminism is a movement to end sexist oppression.Hooks argues that if people adopt her definition, and know more about feminism and feminist history, then they would no longer fear it.
• Hooks argues "that freedom of privileged-class women of all races has required the sustained subordination of working-class and poor women".She asks readers to consider how "feminist liberation is linked to a vision of social change which challenges class elitism",
• In this sense, she suggests that we rethink the meaning of work. "When women work to make money to consume more rather than to enhance the quality of our lives on all levels, work does not lead to economic self-sufficiency. More money does not mean more freedom if our finances are not used to facilitate well-being".
• Hooks does not shy away from pointing out that females can be sexist. She illustrates this point with a critique of "lifestyle feminism" and "power feminism," two contemporary co-optations of feminist thinking that, according to hooks, shape the feminist movement toward competitiveness and away from a clearly-defined goal of ending sexist oppression.
• Hooks argues that the feminist movement lacks a strong sense of sisterhood due to this focus on competition (sexually, economically, physically) concurrent with a lack of participation in consciousness raising groups.
• Due to time limit,any remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation