This afternoon, the world recieved word that writer, poet, and philosopher bell hooks had passed. At 69, hooks — who penned 1981’s “Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism” along with 1984’s “Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center” and countless other foundational texts of intersectional feminism — remained a vital voice both in academia and in the public mindset at large. She challenged white America’s shallow understanding of race just as she challenged straight culture’s dominance in our society. She expanded the way we think about sex, love, masculinity, race, queerness, and American life, and the world is reeling from her loss.
On Twitter, writers, intellectuals, and queer community members remembered hooks and her impact on their lives in fond terms, all while wishing she hadn’t gone so soon.
The family of @bellhooks is sad to announce the passing of our sister, aunt, great aunt and great great aunt. The author, professor, critic and feminist made her transition early this am from her home, surrounded by family and friends. 🖤
— Enter Ebony (@Enter_Ebony) December 15, 2021
The passing of bell hooks hurts, deeply. At the same time, as a human being I feel so grateful she gave humanity so many gifts. AIN’T I A WOMAN: BLACK WOMEN AND FEMINISM is one of her many classics. And ALL ABOUT LOVE changed me. Thank you, bell hooks. Rest in our love. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/lXnAlaZpng
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) December 15, 2021
“Love is an action, never simply a feeling” ― bell hooks
We mourn the tremendous loss of bell hooks. A woman of great compassion, courage, & extraordinary intellect. Thank you for always putting your love for Black people in action – for challenging us to imagine a bolder future pic.twitter.com/9tydxdgJsg
— Well-Read Black Girl ™ (@wellreadblkgirl) December 15, 2021
“LOVE REDEEMS,” bell hooks writes. “Despite all the lovelessness that surrounds us, nothing has been able to block our longing for love, the intensity of our yearning. The understanding that love redeems appears to be a resilient aspect of the heart’s knowledge. . . 2/4 pic.twitter.com/KuoDF83Gcz
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) December 15, 2021
“Like all great mysteries, we are all mysteriously called to love no matter the conditions of our lives, the degree of our depravity or despair. The persistence of this call gives us reason to hope. Without hope, we cannot return to love.” 4/4 pic.twitter.com/QpeomYCfpE
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) December 15, 2021
It is because of bell hooks that i learned theory can be a place of deep transformation and healing. Your memory lives on forever. You taught us well.
Rip Gloria Jean Watkins. pic.twitter.com/H6z3aUTRqy
— Breya (@TheBlackLayers) December 15, 2021
The entirety of my intellectual and creative project is this: “marginality [is] much more than a site of deprivation; in fact I was saying just the opposite, that it is also the site of radical possibility, a space of resistance.” Indebted, as we all are to bell hooks.
— Tressie McMillan Cottom (@tressiemcphd) December 15, 2021
Oh my heart. bell hooks. May she rest in power. Her loss is incalculable.
— roxane gay (@rgay) December 15, 2021
If you’re just learning about bell hooks, there’s no shame. You can always read her words and meet her on the page.
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) December 15, 2021
it is not hyperbole to say bell hooks saved me and so many of the women i’ve been blessed to move through this life alongside. what an incalculable loss, my goodness
— Hannah Giorgis | ሐና ጊዮርጊስ (@hannahgiorgis) December 15, 2021
We lost bell hooks. The heart breaks.
— Lisa Lucas (@likaluca) December 15, 2021
