Who Was Bell Hooks? How Did Feminist Author and Activist Die At 69
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Bell Hooks, a renowned writer, author, and poet closed her book of life on Dec 15. She was a professor and a great author, writer, and poet known for her works on issues like feminism, racism, capitalism, and class domination. Her niece confirmed her death through a social media post. The world is in remorse right now as a gem of an author and professor passed away so suddenly.
Who Was Bell Hooks & Cause Of Death
Gloria Jean Watkins, famously known as Bell Hooks, passes away, aged 69. Bell Hooks took her last breath at her home, surrounded by her family, in Berea, Kentucky on Wednesday due to kidney failure.
She started her career as a writer in the year 1976, at the age of 24. When she started with a book named “Ain’t I a Women: Black Women and Feminism” which was published later in the year 1981. She has her name on more than 40 books so far describing her passion for writing and her commitment to this field. Her thoughts, ideas, and beliefs challenged the traditional system of society. It created a space for underprivileged and oppressed people to come out of their shelves and fight for their rights.
Her first poetry collection famous as “And there we wept” was published in 1978. This marked the diversity of Hooks writings and the broad spectrum of her thoughts.
The Story Behind The Origin Of Her Pen Name
Bell hooks, the name originated from her great grandmother, Bell Blair Hooks, as she was inspired by her grandmother’s snappy and bold tongue.
To showcase the difference between her pen name and great grandmother’s name she chose to write her name in the lower case along with a message for her readers to value the quality of her work rather than her personal qualities.
Bell Hooks Education Background
Hooks was the 4th out of 7 children, born in 1952, in an African American family.
She was a graduate of Hopkinsville High School and did a bachelor’s in English from Stanford University. She did Masters from the University of Wisconsin in 1976, the year she began writing. Later in 1987, she completed her doctorate in English from the University of California.
Before starting with her Ph.D. she was an English professor at the University of Southern California.
Hooks started working as a teacher at Berea College in 2004. In 2010 the school honored her by opening Bell Hooks Institute at Berea College. Her name was written in the Kentucky Writers Hall of fame in 2018.
Tribute Floods On Twitter
The news of Bell Hook’s demise spread like a fire gaining tributes from various authors, celebs, and organizations.
Her family, in a statement, said they are honored to have a sister, friend, and influencer, whose accolades and international fame will be cherished forever.
A US-based journalist tweets that she owes Bell Hooks more than she could give back as the author helped her awaken different worlds that she did not know existed.
A professor of African American studies at Princeton University Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor expressed Hooks death as ‘devastating’ and says that black women can never rest so they die early
UN Women, the United Nations has thanked hooks for teaching that feminism is for everybody.
