Black Feminism Course Hub
bell hooks: Black Feminism and Womanism as Liberatory Practice
A lecture and discussion led by Dr. Melina Abdullah to explore what it means to embody Black feminism and womanism, what it means to walk in the world as our whole and complete selves, and what it means to radically love through the works of bell hooks.
Land, Labor and Life Acknowledgment:
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BREATH
This land on which we inhabit is physically situated in the original Ancestral homelands of the Native people. I live on the Tongva land, now known as Los Angeles. We pay respect to the Tongva and all Indigenous people – past, present, and future – and their continuing presence in the homeland and throughout their historical diaspora.
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BREATH
We pay homage to those who were stolen from Africa, placed in bondage, falsely named as chattel, and forced into labor, who were called “slaves,” but never submitted as such, who have always been fully human, with an unbroken connection to the Divine and to each other. We honor our African Ancestors for the still-unpaid labor which built what is now the Americas.
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BREATH
To both our Indigenous and African forebears, we commit to the continued struggle for liberation and reparations, for it is only through freedom and justice that we truly give honor.
ASHE!
Course Overview
On December 15, 2021, the world lost one of its most brilliant minds and loving and courageous souls. Bell hooks left us with 34 books and countless articles and lectures…some of the most important offerings of any intellectual. Wading through her works is nothing short of life-changing.
During this eight-week community course, we will immerse ourselves in bell hooks, engaging in a collective read and discussion of some of her most important books. Together, we will explore what it means to embody Black feminism and womanism, what it means to walk and the world as our whole and complete selves, what it means to radically love, and how we…and the world…are forever changed in the process.
Accessibility:
We are grateful to partner with Pro Bono ASL to provide American Sign Language interpretation for this course. For more on Pro Bono ASL, please visit probonoasl.com.
We are also grateful to partner with Vidman Barber to provide real-time captioning for the course. For more info on Vidman Barber, please visit vidmanbarber.com.
Reading
Essential Reading:
You are encouraged to purchase your reading materials from small, Black-owned bookstores. All books are available at Eso Won Books in Los Angeles’ Africa Town (Leimert Park), located at 4327 Degnan Blvd. You can also order by phone and have books shipped 323-290-1048.
Bring your wallet! There are lots of treasures in Eso Won and throughout Africa Town. Great meals at Hot and Cool Café, coffee at Harun, treasures at Sika’s and Queen Aminah’s. Africa Town is a whole vibe and greatly benefits from your patronage.
hooks, bell. 2001. All About Love: New Visions. New York: Harper Collins
hooks, bell. 1994. Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom. New York: Routledge.
Class Schedule
“Course Introduction/ Syllabus Review
Assignment:
Finding Feminism | Feminism Is for Everybody – excerpts
Whose land are you on?
Session Transcript
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“Love is what justice looks like in private
Assignment:
All About Love – Chapters 1-5
Session Transcript
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“Love as Sacred Praxis
Assignment:
All About Love – Chapters 6-9
Note:
One example where you have given love and one where you have received love.
One example when your intention of love required modification.
Session Transcript
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“Love as Revolution
Assignment:
Read: All About Love – Chapters 10-Conclusion
Tell us where you have or where you can build beloved community
Session Transcript
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“Power and Transgression
Assignment:
Read - Teaching to Transgress – Intro-Chapter 5
Tell us what righteous transgressions you have made in your own life.
Session Transcript
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“Teaching as Sacred
Assignment:
Teaching to Transgress – Chapters 6-10
Be transgressive and steal back time for yourself. Take 10-20 minutes to get into a meditative space, then write your response to the prompt - “What is your vision of the world?”
Session Transcript
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“Revolutions of Mind, Body and Spirit
Assignment:
Teaching to Transgress – Chapters 11-14
Be transgressive and steal back time for yourself. Take 10-20 minutes to get into a meditative space, then write your response to the prompt “What is your vision of the world?” Bring your vision statement to class.
Session Transcript
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“Living Liberatory Praxis
Assignment:
Killing Rage - excerpt
Identify a site of resistance
Revisit your vision statement
Carve out your piece of the work
Commit to a space and clear building practice.
Session Transcript
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