This is my first introduction to Hooks. The book is an investigation of male feminism (both shortcomings and possibilities) for men in a "imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy". She talks about the development and shortcomings of feminism for men, and of the implications of patriarchy, particularly for black men and for women who profess to fight against it. I found her critique of patriarchy to be on point, but wished she would have given more direction for further action or reading. Maybe in 2004, there were not resources available. She states (again, in 2004)
No significant body of feminist writing addresses boys directly, letting them know how they can construct an identity that is not rooted in sexism. There is no body of feminist children's literature that can serve as an alternative to patriarchal perspectives, which abound in the world of children's books.
and I would add in the world of sci-fi/fantasy. So my question is, in the past 15 years, does this body of work now exist? Are there role models and characters in literature (especially in YA lit) that promote alt-patriarchal thinking?
4 stars (out of 4)
No comments:
Post a Comment