Black women celebrate bell hooks

Statement by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell

WASHINGTON — On December 15, bell hooks died in her Kentucky home. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell issued the following statement:

“We send our deepest condolences to all who loved bell hooks — her family, friends and the legions of people who were touched by her work. We, too, mourn the passing of this feminist visionary. But we also celebrate her life and contributions to champion the rights of all people — especially Black women.

“bell hooks revolutionized feminism, reclaiming it for Black and working-class women. Even today, we are inspired and guided by her words:

‘It is obvious that many women have appropriated feminism to serve their own ends, especially those white women who have been at the forefront of the movement; but rather than resigning myself to this appropriation I choose to re-appropriate the term “feminism,” to focus on the fact that to be ‘feminist’ in any authentic sense of the term is to want for all people, female and male, liberation from sexist role patterns, domination and oppression.’ [from ‘Ain’t I a Woman’]

“We, at In Our Own Voice, promise to honor her life by always claiming our rightful place and demanding that our voices be heard. We carry the words of bell hooks with us as we battle for equality and justice for all.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national Reproductive Justice organization focused on lifting up the voices of Black women at the national and regional levels in our ongoing policy fight to secure Reproductive Justice for Black women, femmes, queer, trans and gender non-conforming people, and youth. Our strategic partners include Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc., SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision.