Blog 7

Chapter 17:


What do you think about bell hooks view on feminism and love? Do you agree or disagree, and why?


I would agree with Bell Hooks' ideology of love and that it requires balance. Mutual respect and equality would make for a much stronger foundation in a relationship than performance norms and purposeful constraint. For feminists to close themselves off to an emotion as necessary as love would make for very unsatisfying personal experience, in my opinion. I would argue that what they were rejecting, critiquing, and conflicting with wasn't love at all. No more than the way the social interaction between members of "Jersey Shore" reflects at true healthy friendship or camaraderie. Just because patriarchal domination has supposedly conditioned the notion of love into what we observe in popular culture, i.e. gender roles, aggression, dominance, etc. (which is then perpetuated in the interpersonal exchange of ideas and communication in the general public), does not make the intangible notion of love these things. 

Do you see any patriarchal views about dating, relationships, marriage or love in the previous clip? If so, what are they? Do you think that Patti Stanger's view on love alines with bell hooks' view? Why or why not? Does the previous clip seem to fit with society's view on love, relationships and/or marriage? Why or why not?


Absolutely, the message was highly contradicting. Encouraging people to marry for money only after they've become financially independent? Whaaaat?? Most people would assume, and display disgust or the fact that she's matching wealthy, gumptionless men with self-assumed trophy wives. Yet she has the luxury of defending herself with the perspective that she's not just hooking up women with wealthy men. Her matchmaking extends to an array of gender identities on both sides of the equation. I would say Ms. Stanger's views do not aline with hooks' at all. I suppose I would just argue that the idea the any individual allowing themselves to become dependent on another for whatever reason, isn't engaging in a critical feminist perspective. I don't think I could accurately project what I viewed in the clip to reflect how society views love and unions. I think people are so different, it just wouldn't work to assume everyone felt the same.   


Chapter 18:


In the chapter, however, hooks never states a specific example of how religion (specifically Christianity) is patriarchal. Can you think of instances/parables/specific scriptures that shows male dominance or a patriarchal ideology? *If not, no one's going to be judged for lack of Bible knowledge - trust me :)

I think going back to the "lesser cut" clip we've viewed in class, I'd probably claim the Christian explanation of the creation of man and woman is extremely patriarchal, even though I identity with the christianity.


The above video is of Madonna's song "Papa Don't Preach". After watching the video and listening to the song, is there anything that could be a biblical reference or refer to religion in general? Do you think this is an accurate representation of the Christian religion - or could it be a societal "rule"?


I don't think this refers to religion at all. I think Madonna's character got pregnant at a young age and is portraying her desire for her father's understanding, help, and forgiveness. 


Chapter 19:


Do you find this to be true? And how do you think these “grade-school level primers” should be presented so that the message is successfully communicated to the younger audience?


I would definitely agree. Efficient communication and the spread of awareness at and introductory and fundamental level, and young age, of the topic at hand is key. I think prefect examples of "primers" are materials like the "Happy to be Nappy" children's book that we read in class. Books like that, or school functions like "feminist fairs" could spread information in a passive, interactive way.