Noted feminist thinker and writer bell hooks, visiting distinguished scholar at New College of Florida, will give a series of community readings and discussions during February and March.
For more than 30 years, hooks has been a leading voice in feminism, gaining national attention with her 1981 book “Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism.” The work was later named “One of the Most Influential Books in the Last Twenty Years” by Publisher’s Daily.
The Utne Reader named hooks as one of “100 Visionaries Who Could Change Your Life” and The Atlantic Monthly called her “one of our nation’s leading public intellectuals.” hooks is the author of more than 30 books and many articles and essays, and is distinguished professor in residence in Appalachian Studies at Berea College. She received her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, her master’s degree from University of Wisconsin and her doctorate from University of California at Santa Cruz.
Her work has explored race, class, religion, gender and sexuality. Recent work has focused on love and community. The theme of hooks’ residency at New College is love and how it can help people move past stereotypes and connect with each other.
The first event, “Love Unlimited: Conversation on Love,” is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, February 14, in the Sainer Pavilion on Caples Campus of New College. It will feature hooks reading selections from her 2001 book “All About Love: New Visions.” A book signing will follow.
The second event, “Writing Beyond Race,” will be on Thursday, Feb. 21, with a community and college conversation at 5 p.m. and a lecture at 6 p.m., with a reception to follow. The event is in the Sainer Pavilion. The discussion is based on her most recent book, “Writing Beyond Race: Living Theory and Practice,” a collection of essays published in November 2012 that examines how people can challenge and change systems of domination.
The third event is a lunch discussion only for faculty and staff associated with the Gender Studies program. It will be at noon Friday, March 8, in a location to be determined.
The fourth event, “Moving Past Identity: Feminism Today,” is a lecture scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, in the Sainer Pavilion. It is co-sponsored by the New College Gender Studies Program.
The final event is an “Open Conversation with bell hooks,” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, on the College Hall Bayfront Patio. It is open to all New College faculty and staff.