Author and activist bell hooks has sadly passed away at the age of 69, a statement released by her family has confirmed.
The late writer’s real name was Gloria Jean Watkins but, throughout her career, she went by bell hooks.
We’re explaining why the author went by a different name and why it was written in lowercase.
- TRENDING: Why is there no YouTube Rewind 2021?
Who was bell hooks?
Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and one of seven siblings, bell hooks went on to become a legendary writer, releasing more than 40 books, ranging from essays and poetry to children’s books.
One of the author’s first books was published in 1981 and was titled ‘Ain’t I a Woman? Black Women and Feminism’.
hooks focused feminism, racism, culture, capitalism, politics, gender roles, love, and spirituality in her writing, once stating: “We [cannot] see gains for feminism distinct and separate from other struggles.”
The writer earned a master’s in English at the University of Wisconsin and a doctorate in literature at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
- TICKETS: What is the ‘Can We Talk’ Challenge?
Why is bell hooks’ name written in lowercase?
The author was born Gloria Jean Watkins but adopted and honoured her great-grandmother’s name, Bell Blair Hooks, throughout her career.
As reported by The Washington Post, hooks said that she didn’t capitalize her name because she wanted people to focus on her books, not “who I am.”
This idea was confirmed by one of her former students at Yale University in a 2019 New York Times piece: “Watkins wanted her pen name to be spelled in lowercase to shift the attention from her identity to her ideas.”
Writing her name in lowercase was also a way to distinguish herself from her great-grandmother, as well as to “erase her young self, the young Gloria Jean Watkins, described by her as ‘the girl who was always wrong, always punished.”
In a 2009 interview, the author further explained: “Even when people capitalize my name, I don’t freak out, even though that would not be my choice. I’m not attached to it, and in that sense I think we have to choose, what are the issues that really matter?
“I think we are obsessed in the U.S. with the personal, in ways that blind us to more important issues of life.”
Author passes away aged 69
The sad news of bell hooks’ passing was confirmed on Twitter via a statement by her niece, Ebony Motley.
The statement read: “The family of @bellhooks is sad to announce the passing of our sister, aunt, great aunt and great great aunt.
“The author, professor, critic and feminist made her transition early this am from her home, surrounded by family and friends.”
RIP, bell hooks.
In other news, TikTok: What is the Can We Talk challenge and how to participate
Discover more from Today Headline
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.