bell hooks at College of Charleston

This post has been a year in the making, so here it goes!

When many people were getting ready to enjoy the last unofficial days of summer, many people packed the Sottile Theater last August 31(2012), to see noted feminist and scholar bell hooks at the College of Charleston.

I was surprised to see how many people, especially students, attended since the event happened the Friday before Labor Day.  The college, especially the Women and Gender Studies program, did a great job in promoting this event.

bell discussed a variety of topics during her time on stage. She talked about how it is a perilous time to be an African-American woman in the age of Michelle Obama.  She said that when you see an African-American woman, you can see "all of our journeys".  She also said that feminists theories from an African-American standpoint must not be ignored.

bell also said that despite all of the trials we go through, "love is the necessary foundation that keeps us whole".  "Anytime we do the work of love, we do the work of ending discrimination," she said.

I got to greet her before (because I was super early and came straight from work) and after the event.  She was very gracious and was treated like a rock star by the audience (especially by the students).  bell's lecture was very inspiring and I hope that she makes a return trip to the college (or visits a nearby college).

Another blogger wrote about the event here.