"Killing Rage" / 101

As the editors of WRA point out, writing is "a form of action" (5). bell hooks actively challenges society's attitudes about the place of black women in particular, and all women in general, through her very active writing. Her work has had a huge influence on fighting racism and sexism. In the essay "Killing Rage" (1995), hooks shares an experience where others were hostile toward her based on her race and sex. She demonstrates the value of rage. hooks points out that it doesn't necessarily equate to physical violence. In fact, rage is a productive result of reflection, and being silent after experiencing rage is socially and psychologically destructive.

In an interview with Brian Lamb of PERSPECTIVE, Harvard-Radcliffe's Liberal Monthly, about the book Killing Rage: Ending Racism, hooks explains rage and powerlessness very clearly. With regard to the person on the airplane, she says she "felt like [she] could murder him" (http://www.booknotes.org/Transcript/?ProgramID=1278). She points out how ideas in this piece relate to events in our recent history, like the O.J. Simpson case and the Million Man March. She references the Civil Rights Act and Malcolm X. It's a great interview and a must read. This companion site to CNN is very useful. Also, reviewing notes from another books bell hooks has written, such as Outlaw Culture; Resisting Representations (1994), will be useful to you as well (see http://www.stumptuous.com/comps/hooks.html). In this book hooks speaks candidly about topics involving censorship, sex, and the "universal" woman. She refers to people like Madonna, Ice Cube, Camille Paglia, and Katie Riophe. And this website, http://www.users.muohio.edu/kramertm/Mueng111/ideas.html, offers a good summary of some great ideas on education from people like bell hooks, Victor Villanueva, and Adrienne Rich.

Have you ever been on an airplane or on a freeway in a car or at a professional sports game and experienced rage? Think about your experiences as you read the companion critical readings.