Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism 2nd Edition

The woman on the cover, as explained in the book, is Hooks’ mother. And she’s on the cover for a reason - I won’t spoil it for y’all - but if you have a grandmother/mother born before 1950 that had something to do with your upbringing, I’m almost positive you’ll understand after reading this book.Hooks was an intellectual, through and through. They prefaced this book by basically saying: I was young when I wrote this, so don’t hold it against me. At first, after reading the intro, I thought the writing was going to be subpar. In fact, it was exactly the opposite. Hooks’ arguments go right for the jugular from almost the first page 😩😭I’ve owned the book for probably close to a year now and I’m still reading it. Mind you, I read about two books a week and not on a kindle/ipad. This book is not long in length but it’s long in thought, if that makes sense. Every sentence is packed with facts and leaves you questioning, well dang, ain’t I a woman? Hooks’ basic premise is that some people struggle with acknowledging the presence of black feminism. Some black men just refuse to see our struggles and actually, in some part, contribute to our overall persecution. Some white women simply see us as “women” but don’t incorporate our minority background and miss our feelings and major contributions to society. I’m summarizing extensively here and there’s plenty more to the arguments - just read it and see how you feel afterwards

I had to read this class for my women's studies class. Everyone agreed it's a book that forced everyone to look into themselves about how the U.S. has treated women of African descent for centuries. White men, Black men, and White women have ALL benefited from the sufferings of Black women in the United States. hooks demonstrated her argument very well in this book. As a class, we agreed that hooks is right. Personally, it was very sad to read this book because black women clearly need to be aware of the historical oppression they've been under for decades in the United States. Even though some things have changed for women of African descent, a lot more needs to be done. Everyone who cares about feminism and black women must read this book. The feminist movement has served the interest of white women for too long. It's time white women acknowledge this fact and support black women as well as those from other races. I'm officially a follower of hooks and she is my number one U.S. feminist scholar to date.

I read this in college in the 90s and it blew my mind. i used to read a lot of pro-black discourse that lead me to think black men needed "saving" (i think that still goes on). This was a refreshing and necessary departure from the norm. Black women's struggle shouldn't be subordinated. "The struggle" isn't diluted by acknowledging black women deal with sexism and racism. I wanted to make sure this title was in my daughter's library as she heads to college. I just gave it to my daughter on her 18th birthday. She's exploring her racial identity, race relations, and power just like I did at her age so I trust her thinking will be greatly expanded as mine was. this is the only title I ever read by bell hooks and i never forgot it. (and no offense but i like the original cover better. that photo would not make me want to read it)

This goes into detail about some ideas presented in Feminism is for Everybody.This is a great book for exploring how racial dynamics have undermind feminism and excluded many minority and lower socio-economic women from the benefits that have been realized (mostly for well-to-do women).This book does a great job of explaining how feminism needs to be broadened to actually advocate for things that will universally benefit women and shows how the focus in the 70s, 80s, 90s has really only benefited those who already were privileged.

without intersectionality, a lot of y’all would just base your one identity off the fact that u can oppress other groups and be their oppressor. feminism is not feminism without all women advocating for their struggles and oppression

This book cost too much for there to be mold stains amongst other things. I returned one book to get another. Quality not that much better. Amazing book otherwise!!! Just purchase from another seller. Will just go to the book store next time

This was a very comprehensive and satisfying journey of Black women's plight and power in America. I also think it's a clear clarion call for Black women to re-consider penetrating and course correcting a movement that has been very limiting and exclusionary in its perspectives and efforts.

Be prepared to think and question what you've known. bell has always been an excellent writer and I love their insights in this book.