Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center
Cover of the first edition
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| Author | bell hooks |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Feminist theory |
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Publication date
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1984 |
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Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center (1984; second edition 2000) is a book by bell hooks. Her second book, it confirmed her importance as a leader in radical feminist thought.
Throughout the book, hooks uses the term white-supremacist capitalist patriarchy as a lens through which to both critique various aspects of American culture and to offer potential solutions to the problems she explores. She addresses topics including the goals of feminist movement, the role of men in feminist struggle, the relevance of pacifism, among women, and the nature of revolution.
Hooks can be identified in her discussions of these topics as a radical feminist because of her arguments that the system itself is corrupt, and that achieving equality in such a system is neither possible nor desirable. She promotes instead a complete transformation of society and all its institutions as a result of protracted struggle, envisioning a life-affirming, peaceful tomorrow.
A second edition, featuring a new preface, "Seeing the Light: Visionary Feminism", was published in 2000. In the preface to the first edition, hooks, talking about black Americans in her hometown, discusses the meaning of her title's "From Margin to Center:"
Living as we did—on the edge—we developed a particular way of seeing reality. We looked from both the outside in and the inside out. We focused our attention on the center as well as the margin. We understood both. This mode of seeing reminded us of the existence of a whole universe, a main body made up of both margin and center.
A distinguishing feature of Feminist Theory is hooks' use of what is contemporarily called intersectionality in her analyses. An analysis of oppression that considers the intersecting nature of race and gender was pioneered by black feminist organizations of the 1970s. hooks criticizes the "Sisterhood" framework of second-wave feminism, saying that the "emphasis on Sisterhood was often seen as emotional appeal masking the opportunism of bourgeois white women." In "Feminism: A Movement to End Sexist Oppression", chapter two, hooks offers a thorough critique of feminism as defined by the feminist movement at the time, citing the racism and classism within it. hooks proposes defining feminism "as a movement to end sexist oppression." Additionally, hooks suggests saying "I advocate feminism", as opposed to "I am a feminist", in order to avoid the misconception of women's issues taking precedence over issues of race, class, etc.
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