“I choose to reclaim the term ‘feminism’ to emphasize that being a ‘feminist’ in its truest sense means advocating for the liberation of all people, both women and men, from sexist roles, domination, and oppression.” — bell hooks, Ain’t I A Woman: Black Women and Feminism, 1981

With the passing of Gloria Jean Watkins, widely known as bell hooks, the world has lost a pioneering thinker and feminist. At age 69, hooks left behind a profound legacy that challenged conventional views on gender roles, Black femininity, class, and capitalism. Her groundbreaking work continues to shape conversations on equity and justice.

A Life Rooted in Advocacy

Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, hooks was one of six children in a working-class African American family. Her father, Veodis Watkins, worked as a janitor, and her mother, Rosa bell Watkins, was a maid for white families. These early experiences in the segregated South profoundly influenced her intellectual journey.

hooks earned her doctorate in English from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1987, focusing her dissertation on the works of Toni Morrison. Even before completing her doctorate, she began producing influential works addressing oppression. Her first poetry collection, And There We Wept, was released in 1978, followed by her seminal book Ain’t I A Woman: Black Women and Feminism in 1981.

Redefining Feminism and Intersectionality

In Ain’t I A Woman, Hooks examined the intersections of racism and sexism, highlighting the compounded oppression faced by Black women. Published during the rise of feminist movements, the book provided a critical perspective on the shortcomings of feminist and civil rights efforts in addressing Black women’s experiences. Publishers Weekly recognized this work as one of the 20 most influential women’s books of the past two decades.

hooks’ analysis of intersectionality—long before the term was popularized—remains a cornerstone of feminist and anti-racist discourse. She argued that understanding these interconnected systems of oppression is vital to achieving liberation for all.

Establishing the bell hooks Institute

In 2014, hooks founded the bell hooks Institute at Berea College in Kentucky. The institute embodies her commitment to communication and literacy as tools for social transformation. hooks believed that reading, writing, and critical thinking were essential skills for addressing gender inequality and fostering social change.

Fearless Advocacy Against Injustice

Throughout her career, hooks was unapologetic in her critique of societal injustices. In a 2002 commencement speech at Southwestern University, she condemned “imperialist, white supremacist, capitalist, patriarchal” systems and criticized the complacency of those who conformed to oppressive norms. This speech exemplified her fearless commitment to confronting uncomfortable truths.

hooks also engaged with popular culture, offering incisive critiques. Her work often dissected the intersections of media representation, race, and gender, providing critical insights that remain relevant today.

Legacy and Ongoing Relevance

Like her contemporaries, Angela Davis, Elaine Brown, and the late Audre Lorde, Hooks devoted her life to amplifying the struggles of Black women. Her activism, which began during the Second Wave feminist movement, addressed reproductive rights and systemic racism. These struggles continue today, underscoring the enduring importance of her work.

hooks’ writings also envisioned a hopeful future. In her 2012 book Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations, she articulated her belief in the transformative power of art: “The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is — it’s to imagine what is possible.”

Rest in Power

Through her intellectual contributions, bell hooks provided a roadmap for resistance and progress. Her work addressed the issues of her time and imagined a future where liberation and equity are possible for all. As we reflect on her life and legacy, we honor her enduring impact and continue to draw inspiration from her vision.

May she rest in power.