Renowned author, poet, feminist, and cultural critic Bell Hooks passed away on Wednesday at 69. Her niece, Ebony Motley, announced her death, stating that Hooks died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. Berea College, where Hooks had been teaching since 2004, confirmed her death and mentioned that she had succumbed to a long-term illness. The exact cause of death was not disclosed.

The Legacy of Bell Hooks: A Name with Intentionality

Born Gloria Jean Watkins on September 25, 1952, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Hooks wrote her name in lowercase letters as a symbolic gesture, highlighting her identity over her name. She took the pen name “Bell Hooks” in honor” of her maternal great-grandmother, Bell Blair Hooks.

Education and Academic Journey

Hooks’ early education placed in segregated schools in Christian County, Kentucky. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin. She later received her doctorate in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Her academic career was equally distinguished. Hooks taught at prestigious institutions such as Stanford University, Yale University, Oberlin College in Ohio, and City College of New York. She eventually returned to her home state to teach at Berea College, which later became home to the Bell Hooks Center.

A Literary Pioneer: Books That Changed the Conversation

Hooks authored over three dozen books spanning a wide range of subjects. Her first work, a collection of poetry titled And There We Wept, was published in 1978. In 1981, she released Ain’t I a Woman: BlaAin’tmen and Feminism, a groundbreaking book that continues to influence discussions on race and feminism. Her 1984 work, Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center, critiqued mainstream feminism for centering on the experiences of white women, thereby excluding marginalized voices.

Themes of Intersectionality and Place

A recurring theme in Hooks’ writings was the intersectionality of race, gender, class, sexuality, and geographical location. Her work often drew from her upbringing in Appalachia. Books like Belonging: A Culture of Place and Appalachian Elegy: Poetry and Place reflect her deep connection to her roots.

A Voice for Love and Justice

In a 2000 interview with All Things Considered, Hooks eloquently expressed the power of love as a force for transformation. She spoke of love as a romantic sentiment and a profound, inclusive force that can bring about personal and societal change.

“I’m talking about a transformative love that challenges us in our personal and civic lives,” she said. “Real love will transform you.”

Love and the Civil Rights Movement

Hooks often linked the transformative power of love to the civil rights movement, viewing it as a movement rooted in a politicized, justice-driven love. She cited the sacrifices of civil rights activists, such as James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, as examples of the profound love that fuels the fight for justice.

“When I think about the love of justice that three young people—two Jews and one African-American Christian—go south and fight for justice and give their lives… I think that’s the quality of love that’s great.”

A Call for Connection

Hooks frequently emphasized the importance of connection, not just on a personal level but on a societal scale. She noted the growing desire for individuals to feel more connected to their neighbors and the world and expressed hope for a romantic focus on love, much like the ideals of the 1960s.