Gloria Jean Watkins, better known as bell hooks, is a prominent figure not only in literature, but also in the feminist and civil rights movements. He seamlessly weaves both of these issues together in Killing Rage: Ending Racism to address the problems he believes plague society. Many critics attack Hooks' informal and violent writing style; however, he simply wants to appeal to a wider variety of readers to spread his views on intolerance and call his audience to action. Although his writing style may seem too intense, it illustrates the anger and frustration he feels due to discrimination. As an extremely educated black woman, she says a prejudice-free society is achievable through literacy and communication. The “murderous rage” that Hooks experiences due to racism and sexism impedes his vision of ending racism in a beloved community. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The entire foundation of Hooks' work is the "homicidal rage" she experiences after "sitting next to an anonymous white male who [she] craves murder" (8). After an altercation between the "anonymous white male" and her black friend, Hooks experienced overwhelming anger that inspired her to write Killing Rage: Ending Racism. The anger he experiences ultimately results in an overwhelming sense of helplessness because he has no control over his own destiny and no acceptable outlet to express his anger. Hooks states that he lives in a society that cannot “see black anger as anything other than disease” (12). He believes he lives in a culture that doesn't take his race's problems seriously. The Black population is subjugated to the whims of the public, leading to a frustration that has no healing outlet in response to the oppression and mistreatment experienced by its people. Hooks goes on to state that “most people associate black anger with the underclass” (12). He believes this association is also responsible for the liquidation of black anger. This class struggle, as well as segregation, adds to the repression felt by black citizens. They also contribute to the accumulation of emotions responsible for the transition from helplessness to anger. Many issues contribute to this emotional overload, including repression of anger and denial of racism. According to Hooks, whites colonized Black Americans through segregation in order to “perpetuate and maintain white supremacy” and “part of that colonization process taught us to repress our anger” (14). This dehumanization deprives Black people of a constructive and healthy outlet through which they can change their situation. There is a serious double standard rooted in this issue. Not only do white supremacists oppress black anger, but they also assert their own white anger against black people without consequences. Hooks states that “white anger is acceptable, it can be both expressed and condoned, but black anger has no place and everyone knows it” (15). This only adds to the exasperation and anger experienced by Hooks and his peers. He goes on to highlight the success of white colonization techniques by saying, “blacks repress and annihilate our anger of assimilation” (16). Ultimately, this repression and assimilation causes blacks to fall into a sense of individualism that is distinctive to the plight of the black race. This counterproductive attitude is partially responsible for the continuation of racism in America. Hooks argues that “the black liberation struggle does notcan take place if we remain unable to tap into the collective anger of black people” (20). He believes that only through unification can the black population address the problems they face on a daily basis. If these people could establish a strong sense of camaraderie and organize their efforts to achieve equality, then there would be nothing to stop their attempts at reform. Everyone is responsible for continued discrimination on the basis of gender, not just males. Hooks points out that the “revolutionary feminism [movement] is not anti-male” (63). One of the biggest obstacles to opposing sexism comes in trying to eradicate racism. While fighting racism, advocates continually equate “black liberalization with the development of black patriarchy” by looking to “strong black male leadership” to guide them toward equality (63). By relying on these strong Black men for leadership, anti-racists are attempting to equate white males with Black males, placing Black women even further down the spectrum, which creates one problem while trying to solve another. Women must take a stand in the anti-racism movement, as well as the anti-sexism movement, otherwise they will never truly achieve equality. According to Hooks, to create a beloved community the “first step of the anti-racist struggle” is necessary. fight to break the denial" of racism. Many whites believe they are not racist for a multitude of reasons. The root cause of this white denial, according to Hooks, are the values and attitudes of white supremacists that "permeate every aspect of the culture." which ultimately leads to "subconsciously absorbing the ideology of white supremacy" (267). He states that only after these whites admit their racism and commit to correcting it can the population move towards a community most people have a misconception of what this beloved community entails. Many see it as a society where race is “transcended, forgotten, where no one would see the color of your skin” (263). cultural. No one wants to abandon their heritage and culture to assimilate into another. Many people of color believe that they would be required to “give up their identities, beliefs and values” in exchange for the “values and beliefs of privileged class whites.” (266). Hooks goes on to present the correct view of how communities are loved. to be established, which occurs «not through the eradication of differences but through its affirmation, through the reclamation by each of us of our own identities and cultural heritages» (265). This vision eliminates the cultural protectionism created by the previous example. By educating yourself about the culture and individuality of a group it is possible to accept someone for who they are and overcome discrimination. Hooks says he has already built a beloved community on a much smaller scale and argues that it is an achievable dream for everyone to accept other races and exterminate shades of white supremacy. The people who are part of his beloved community have made “their commitment to live an anti-racist life” (271). Members of these communities recognize individual differences but possess the tolerance and open-mindedness necessary to live in racial harmony. Hooks believes that it is the duty of these people to share their testimony to show the rest of the population that it is possible to live peacefully in an interracial society. To change society, black people “must not allow the actions of white people who blindly support racism to determine the direction of our resistance” (267). They can't let the negativity.
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