bell hooks

In the “Choosing The Margin As A Space of Radical Openness”, hooks discusses how language shapes and forms who we are.  bell hooks states “it is no easy task to find ways to include our multiple voices within the various texts we create” (p 147).  We change how we speak in order to better fit in.  For instance, the way we talk at home and how we speak at work or school is usually different.  This is problematic because we are taught to believe that there is only one “correct” or “proper” way to speak.  Generally speaking, the appropriate form of communication is “sounding white.”  But we shouldn’t have to sound white in order to be successful.

So what does it mean to be marginalized?  bell hooks states “to be in the margin is to be part of the whole but outside the main body” (p 149).  But hooks sees this in a positive way, a space of resistance.  Because language can have such a huge influence on us, it is important to step away from “the main body” (popular culture) and critically analyze the ideas presented in the media.  Why does the media continue to portray stereotypes?  Why does society as a whole think it’s okay?   We can use various types of social media (YouTube, blogs, etc.) as a way to marginalize ourselves and speak out against these inequities.  It might not create immediate change, but at least it would spark a discussion and maybe get new ideas out there.