Unlocking Exclusive Theory; Du Bois and Hooks
W. E. B Du Bois and Bell Hooks are African-American scholars who insert themselves into the conversation of postmodern discourse, specifically in literary theory. Literary theory creates an outline for discussion of work. While the discussion of work has had influential participants, both Du Bois and Hooks look to challenge postmodern discourses, by calling attention to the racialized inequality in practice and participation.
Hooks inserts herself into the argument about how literary discourse is created, as she was at one point excluded from the exclusive group. Her initial exclusion comes from her racial and gender identification. Hooks writes:
“The failure to recognize a critical black presence in the culture and most scholarship and writing on postmodernism compels a black reader, particularly a black female reader, to interrogate an interest in subject where those who discuss and write about it seem not to know that black women exist or even to consider the possibility that we might be somewhere writing or saying something that should be listened to…” (2510)
Hooks is frustrated with postmodern discourse as it promotes talking about …show more content…
Rights for Du Bois is more than civil rights. It is the right to be seen as a fully fledged being with intellect and value, someone who is worthy of being in the conversation. In his work, Criteria of Negro Art, he says: “We want to be Americans, full-fledged Americans, with the rights of other American citizens. (870)” He really means that he wants the same rights and respect that come from being white in America. Within those rights and respect, lies an overarching desire to have African-American art valued in the same way white art is. He sees postmodern discourses completely bypassing the legitimate and thoughtful art and literature by black artists to continue to center around white
W. E. B Du Bois and Bell Hooks are African-American scholars who insert themselves into the conversation of postmodern discourse, specifically in literary theory. Literary theory creates an outline for discussion of work. While the discussion of work has had influential participants, both Du Bois and Hooks look to challenge postmodern discourses, by calling attention to the racialized inequality in practice and participation.
Hooks inserts herself into the argument about how literary discourse is created, as she was at one point excluded from the exclusive group. Her initial exclusion comes from her racial and gender identification. Hooks writes:
“The failure to recognize a critical black presence in the culture and most scholarship and writing on postmodernism compels a black reader, particularly a black female reader, to interrogate an interest in subject where those who discuss and write about it seem not to know that black women exist or even to consider the possibility that we might be somewhere writing or saying something that should be listened to…” (2510)
Hooks is frustrated with postmodern discourse as it promotes talking about …show more content…
Rights for Du Bois is more than civil rights. It is the right to be seen as a fully fledged being with intellect and value, someone who is worthy of being in the conversation. In his work, Criteria of Negro Art, he says: “We want to be Americans, full-fledged Americans, with the rights of other American citizens. (870)” He really means that he wants the same rights and respect that come from being white in America. Within those rights and respect, lies an overarching desire to have African-American art valued in the same way white art is. He sees postmodern discourses completely bypassing the legitimate and thoughtful art and literature by black artists to continue to center around white