Mordant Belle

Image Credit: Media Rights

I have just learned about BookTV, a program on CSPAN. I am pretty much overjoyed about it.

And happily, you can watch a (crappy version, my apologies) in-depth interview with bell hooks. I’m still working on seeking out other authors within their horrible, horrible database…it seems I will have to do an individual search for each one instead of finding them based on other criteria (le sigh). Warning: You will need RealPlayer, which is free to download, but that’s a pain if you don’t already have it.

bell hooks is made of awesome. I already have listed one of her books, Feminism is for Everybody, as a great introductory text. I love her because she is not afraid to stand up and point out sexism or racism when she sees it (including pointing out sexism in anti-racist organizations or racism in anti-sexist and feminist organizations), but she does it in a way that make me, at least, want to take responsibility and make a change, compelling me to take responsibility for my mind, my self and my world, rather than putting me on the defensive.

Below the fold: Clip from The Media Education Foundation on her great documentary with them, Cultural Criticism & Transformation, as well as a clip of her interview on Charlie Rose and links to more great information on bell!

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Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women
By Susan Faludi, 2006, Three Rivers Press, 592 pages
Mel’s Reading Status: READING

Commentary:
This book is difficult to read so far, simply because of the sheer volume of information. But it’s absolutely crucial reading, for anyone, but especially feminists. I recommend you read it in small spurts — I’m taking it chapter by chapter, giving it time to digest.

Summary, Description, and/or History:
Originally published in 1991 (the cover I have here is for the 15th Anniversary edition), it’s a little out of date in terms of numbers. However, the phenomenon are still there, the analysis is still right on, and the truths it unveils are still disturbing at how much of the discrimination faced by women is part of a system. The book is INSANELY well-researched, literally TONS of numbers; Faludi is a Pulitzer-prize winning former Wall Street Journal reporter, and it shows. Feminist beginners should definitely read this as soon as they can stomach it; this is one of those texts that long-timers will refer back to again and again.

Additional Comments always welcome.

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