A review by katie_skean
Black Looks: Race and Representation by bell hooks

This one was more uneven than the other two I read and overall I didn't get as much out of it, athough the several chapters that I did understand I would recommend to anyone. It mostly me because a lot of it was out of my depth and was the sort of Foucalt-quoting academic writing that I was initially afraid of encountering to begin with. Other times, like her criticism of Anita Hill, it wasn't that is was so academic, but I was upset and confused by what she was saying. I didn't know if it just hadn't aged well, or maybe it was possible that it was kind of sloppy to begin with. She criticized her for not making clear why she was testifying and I didn't understand if she didn't understand the fact that Hill was subpoenaed or what. I would love to know more about what debate this writing sparked at the time and if hooks ever reconsidered and changed her stance. I'm glad that I got to see this more erring/human side to hooks, as I was so in awe of her intellect, compassion, and communicative abilities from the other two books I'd read. Still in awe overall and even still a little enchanted. She had a strong finish with the last essay on the ties between Native and Black Americans. Can't wait to read more.