Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism
Also known as Ain't I a Woman? Black Women and Feminism
bell hooks's 1981 study of racism and sexism in the lives of Black women.
At a glance
Key ideas
Slavery's legacy, Stereotypes, Black nationalism …
See all 4Reception
Acclaim, Criticism
See all 2Connections
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- hooks examines how racism and sexism have shaped Black women's lives, from slavery through the civil rights and feminist movements to the 1970s.
- She argues that slavery gave Black women the lowest status of any group and created stereotypes that persist.
- She criticises Black nationalism as largely patriarchal, and the mainly white, middle-class feminist movement for ignoring poor and non-white women.
- The title comes from Sojourner Truth's 1851 speech.
Why it matters
- It is a groundbreaking text of Black feminist theory, widely taught in gender and Black studies.
Key facts
- Author
- bell hooks1
- Published
- 1981, South End Press2
- Begun
- When hooks was 19 and an undergraduate2
- Title
- From Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman?" speech, 18511
- Recognition
- Named by Publishers Weekly in 1992 "one of the twenty most influential women's books in the last 20 years"2
Key ideas
-
Slavery's legacy1
Sexism and racism under slavery gave Black women the lowest status of any group.
-
Stereotypes1
Slavery cast white women as pure and Black women as seductive, justifying abuse.
-
Black nationalism1
Largely a patriarchal and misogynist movement.
-
White feminism1
Did not speak to poor and non-white women, reinforcing sexism, racism and classism.
Reception
Connections
Written by
Links
Sources
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