Bell Hooks explores the intricate connections between classism, racism, white supremacist ideology, and sexism in modern American society in her book “Where We Stand: Class Matters”. She emphasizes the significance of acknowledging this complex interplay by sharing her personal journey from a working-class background to the upper class achieved through academia and prolific writing.
Despite no longer being a poor working-class individual, Bell Hooks, a black woman who grew up in a racially segregated area, dedicates a significant portion of the book to discussing racism, even though its main focus is on classism. However, many people perceive America as one of the wealthiest and most advanced nations globally. Nevertheless, Bell Hooks sheds light on the negative aspects of society in her book. Before reading this book, I associated America with concepts such as equality, diversity, and freedom. However, Hooks prompted me to reconsider these notions and contemplate the true reality within the country.
Although America has a long history of revolution, civil rights movement, women’s movement, and other social movements that reflect the population’s love for progressive ideas, it is important to note that a significant number of individuals continue to suffer under the oppression of the privileged class. These marginalized groups are often overlooked and ignored, despite their presence. Hooks emphasizes that a vast majority of people from low-risk to impoverished backgrounds avoid discussing social class, leading to an unconsciousness of their societal standing.
According to Hooks, the rich and the poor fear talking about class for different reasons. In her book’s opening, she reminisces about her working-class family, particularly her grandparents who have a profound impact on her story. She clearly expresses how much she valued living with them and emphasizes that the magic of life was evident in every aspect. Nonetheless, despite openly discussing money, no one in their crowded household had a secure job or a social security number, and they avoided addressing the issue of social class altogether.
In her analysis, Hooks explores the reasons why people in the United States, regardless of their economic background or privilege, tend to avoid talking about social class. One factor is the fear that poor individuals have of being stigmatized and mocked, which deters them from openly discussing their financial situation. Additionally, these individuals experience discomfort and insecurity related to their social class. Moreover, they often lack awareness of how classism exploits and affects them.
Conversely, Hooks suggests that privileged individuals, particularly white ones, refrain from engaging in conversations about social class because they do not genuinely intend to bring about systemic change in society.
Hooks argues that the middle class refrains from confronting classism due to their fear of facing personal hardships. They worry that advocating for the less fortunate could jeopardize their own basic needs, ultimately widening the gap between the wealthy and the impoverished and promoting a more segregated society based on social class in the United States. However, Hooks contends that privileged individuals with social and economic advantages actually benefit from this system.
The text highlights the realization that individuals from all white class backgrounds aim to maintain their own social status by subordinating underprivileged non-white individuals. Hooks refers to this as “predatory greed” and “class genocide”. This contradicts the notion of Americans celebrating diversity and valuing equality. Hooks shares an anecdote about segregation, where neighbors claim that the lack of diversity is unrelated to racism and solely based on class. However, I find it difficult to believe this assertion.
Hooks recounts a personal anecdote about her search for an apartment after acquiring enough funds. She discovered that the buildings she was interested in, all inhabited and managed by white individuals, were mysteriously sold by the time she arrived. This occurrence perplexes Hooks, as she acknowledges that the dominance of white residents and realtors in these buildings and neighborhoods may be more indicative of social class rather than white supremacy.
The text addresses the issue of racism and how it manifests in certain white individuals who actively exclude people of color. Despite their refusal to admit being racist, Hooks argues that these individuals have negative attitudes towards people of color, particularly black individuals. However, she believes that change can only happen when these individuals acknowledge their own racism, reflect on the damage they have caused, and consider how they would feel if they or their loved ones were treated similarly. In her book, Hooks presents different perspectives on this matter, including the influence of mass media and religion. She also shares her personal experiences growing up in a segregated community with her family. Additionally, she explores how mass media distorts reality by depicting impoverished individuals as lacking while portraying wealthy figures as virtuous saviors. As a result, this creates an illusion that celebrities face similar challenges as ordinary people.
However, my current belief is that the sympathy displayed is only surface-level. From what I have gathered, the presence of a distorted reality in mass media that upholds white-supremacist ideologies stems mainly from its production being controlled predominantly by white individuals. In my perspective, mass media possesses the capability to shape politics at its very essence. However, if it continues to be monopolized by one particular group, it is improbable for it to present anything unfavorable or harmful.
Even though activists like Bell Hooks may succeed in publicly conveying messages through books and garnering recognition on television, their impact cannot surpass that of the entire mass media. I believe it is safe to say that our thoughts and behaviors in society are largely influenced by what the mass media presents. Altering the current system and the individuals within the mass media realm is a challenging task. Therefore, to truly transform its nature, it is crucial to encourage more individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to enter the predominantly white-controlled empire of mass media.
Not all individuals are able to do this, but there is a growing population of elite individuals of color obtaining greater social status. This differs significantly from what white activists supporting anti-racism can accomplish because they do not possess a complete understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized groups. Additionally, I found it most intriguing how shifts in religious practices impact class distinctions in contemporary society. Hooks elucidates that the church was once a space where the issue of greed was acknowledged, but as the influence of the church wanes, so does the concern for the moral implications of greed.
Hooks does not extensively explore the connection between religion and classism, but I am interested in understanding how they are linked in the United States. I want to see how religious culture can be used to create a society where nobody has to feel shame or fear poverty. Moreover, I would like to examine the best way for individuals facing underprivileged situations to handle classism, racism, and sexism. As my understanding of how these three forms of oppression are intertwined expands, my hope for achieving a society without classism, racism, and sexism decreases.
Despite believing that we can improve our current circumstances, the author acknowledges the challenge of determining what the optimal condition for underprivileged individuals entails. Merely considering desegregation as a solution is insufficient. In fact, Hooks presents her own experience of growing up in a segregated yet somewhat sheltered environment. For underprivileged individuals, merging with privileged white individuals could pose a threat. While courageous individuals like Bell Hooks may be able to navigate such challenges, the majority of people who have historical and empirical apprehensions about facing discrimination would find it difficult to make such a choice.
The article suggests that both class-segregation and racial segregation may be appealing to individuals who desire security, protection, and comfort within their communities. It emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about classism and one’s societal position to give individuals more choices and prevent them from settling for an underprivileged life out of fear. The author expresses curiosity about how education can foster class-consciousness and racism awareness in both privileged and underprivileged individuals.
