Freedom
Introduction
Bell Hooks grew up experiencing absolute equality, unity, and freedom, where children mingled freely without segregation. She also mentioned how the peace they experienced from the wilderness tree they used as homes made their lives easier. Additionally, all community members were responsible for each other’s happiness, making it easier to live together freely. The region also hosted both blacks and whites who never saw the other as a lesser human being. Religion, poverty, and the instilled societal values surrounded Bell Hooks’ childhood growth and development, molding her successful future of freedom. This paper explores how these factors shaped Hooks’ growth towards and fight for freedom.
Poverty played a critical role in preparing Hooks for her future in freedom advocacy. Abject poverty characterized Hooks’ community, and their hope was upholding their ancestors’ culture. She explains that poverty led to the community’s survival by secluding it to a forest away from civilization. The forest trees, with so much peace, became the community’s home. Hooks’ community’s seclusion due to poverty played in their favor because it helped them avoid slavery. Additionally, poverty shaped Bell Hooks’ life by preparing her with endurance, resilience, and overcoming tough times to hope of a better tomorrow.
Religion and religious teachings educate about freedom and crafting Hooks to advocate freedom to other minority groups. The community lived a religious life by worshipping and believing God. Residents had the privilege to attend churches regardless of their race or gender. However, Hooks’ spiritual life changed when someone criticized her mother’s dressing in church, probably influenced by their poverty (Hooks, 2008). Because of the freedom they enjoyed, family resulted in worshiping from home because they believed God was capable of hearing and answering them wherever they prayed.
Social values critically influenced Hook’s character in the fight for freedom. Leaders from Kentucky backwoods inculcated several values that developed the desire for freedom. The elders were critical to the community development since they, together with the taught values, responsibly watched the kids grow as per their ancestral laws and regulations. The values entailed Appalachian laws that were important to Hook’s community (Hooks, 2008). The taught values also helped members to acquire gratitude, resilience, and positive thinking in life. Additionally, Hooks’ willingness to abide by the land laws controlled her self-determination to do right for others. The societal values also pushed Hook to attend college on the West Coast, helping her face the world and its challenges with an open face. Therefore, social values and teachings contributed significantly towards Hooks’ fight for and teachings about freedom
As part of their societal values, Hook’s community lived by no gender or racial discrimination policies despite being the slavery era. The lack of racial or gender discrimination was essential for societal growth because “the aim of social justice is full and equitable involvement of people from all social groups in a society jointly shaped to meet their needs” (Horpedahl, Jackson, & Mitchell, 2019). It was challenging for Hook to grow up in a white man dominated land. However, the taught values helped her turn these challenges into opportunities. Additionally, her community teachings did not include gender or racial discrimination. Therefore, Hook grew up knowing she had a similar race as the whites regarding lifestyle and physical properties. The region also experienced severe racial tensions, shaping Hook’s view on the value of life.
Conclusion
Various issues surrounded Hook’s early growth and development stages that have influenced her life and the path to freedom. During that time, racial discrimination was rampant in the western regions. Slavery was also at its peak; hence, Hook’s skin could have easily condemned her into slavery. Hooks’ community lived a religious lifestyle; religious teachings and practices helped enlighten the community about the importance of peace and freedom. The blacks’ reception from the Western section was a clear indication of the existing cultural differences. Conversely, Hook’s community lived without racial discrimination; the whites knew the value of life and related peacefully with the blacks without separation. Hook’s community elders’ societal values helped shape several aspects like resilience, unity, and positive thinking. These aspects helped elevate Hook towards her purpose of freedom. The community also taught the Appalachian laws, which instilled inspiration and Hook’s strength to walk the freedom journey.