Black women Quote by bell hooks
““When we dare to speak in a liberatory voice, we threaten even those who may initially claim to want our words. In the act of overcoming our fear of speech, of being seen as threatening, in the process of learning to speak as subjects, we participate in the global struggle to end domination. When we end our silence, when we speak in a liberated voice, our words connect us with anyone, anywhere who lives in silence. Feminist focus on women finding a voice, on the silence of black women, of women of color, has led to increased interest in our words. This is an important historical moment. We are both speaking of our own volition, out of our commitment to justice, to revolutionary struggle to end domination, and simultaneously called to speak, "invited" to share our words. It is important that we speak. What we speak about is more important. It is our responsibility collectively and individually to distinguish between mere speaking that is about self-aggrandizement, exploitation of the exotic "other," and that coming to voice which is a gesture of resistance, an affirmation of struggle.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Power of a Liberated Voice, 1990s
Speaking freely challenges oppression; authentic, collective speech resists domination and affirms struggle.
In simple terms: Speaking truth can fight oppression.
Key Takeaway
Use voice as resistance.
Themes
feminism
speech
resistance
justice
collective action
Mood
empowering
urgent
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- public speaking
- social movements
- community organizing
Key Concepts
critical theory
intersectionality
political activism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we keep speech authentic?
- What responsibilities accompany a liberated voice?
A Different Perspective
Risk of speech being co‑opted for self‑interest exists.
![“It wasn't [Barack] Obama per se; it was the feeling on the ground; it was seeing an old black woman in a wheelchair being wheeled by her son waving a big American flag, and then seeing a guy with his baby in his arms saying, "I didn't want her to miss tonight! I wanted to be able to tell her!" And…” quote by Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/806/bill-ayers-1848_able_it-wasn-t-barack-obama-per-se-it-was-the_20409.jpg)
