--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In order for me to engage in a…" description: "\"In order for me to engage in a revolutionary struggle for collective Black self-determination, I have to engage feminism because that becomes the vehic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/609/bell-hooks-464_black_in-order-for-me-to-engage-in-a-revolutio_3066446.jpg" --- # In order for me to engage in a revolutionary struggle for… ![“In order for me to engage in a revolutionary struggle for collective Black self-determination, I have to engage feminism because that becomes the vehicle by which I project myself as a female into the heart of the struggle, but the heart of the struggle does not begin with feminism. It begins with…” quote by Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/609/bell-hooks-464_black_in-order-for-me-to-engage-in-a-revolutio_3066446.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/609/bell-hooks-464_black_in-order-for-me-to-engage-in-a-revolutio_3066446.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/609/bell-hooks-464_black_in-order-for-me-to-engage-in-a-revolutio_3066446.jpg) > “In order for me to engage in a revolutionary struggle for collective Black self-determination, I have to engage feminism because that becomes the vehicle by which I project myself as a female into the heart of the struggle, but the heart of the struggle does not begin with feminism. It begins with an understanding of domination and with a critique of domination in all its forms.” [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Revolutionary Black liberation must start with understanding domination, not solely feminism, though feminism is a tool. **In simple terms:** Black self‑determination begins with confronting domination, feminism is a means. Key Takeaway Address domination first, then use feminism. Themes social justice intersectionality political theory Mood critical empowering Type political theoretical When to use this quote - activism planning - community organizing - policy advocacy - education reform Key Concepts critical theory feminist praxis Questions to Reflect On - What forms of domination persist in your community? - How can you integrate feminist tools without centering them? A Different Perspective Feminism alone cannot solve all systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Begin Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begin-feminism-5167590/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Collectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectives/) [Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critique/) [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Domination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/domination/) [Engage Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engage-feminism-5167589/) [Female](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female/) [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Feminism Vehicle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism-vehicle-5167591/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Projects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/projects/) [Revolutionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolutionary/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-determination/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) [Struggle Collective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle-collective-5167592/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Vehicle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vehicle/) ## Related quotes > [To counter the fixation on a rhetoric of victimhood, black folks must engage in a discourse of self-determination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/to-counter-the-fixation-on-a-rhetoric-of-victimhood-black-folks-must/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [The crisis facing men is not the crisis of masculinity, it is the crisis of patriarchal masculinity. Until we make this distinction clear, men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-crisis-facing-men-is-not-the-crisis-of-masculinity-it-is-the/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [I can be critical of Beyoncé and yet also appreciate aspects of her power and representation. I can especially critique the way white supremacist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-can-be-critical-of-beyonc-and-yet-also-appreciate-aspects-of-her/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [... feminist solidarity rooted in a commitment to progressive politics must include a space for rigorous critique, for dissent, orwe are doomed to reproduce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/feminist-solidarity-rooted-in-a-commitment-to-progressive-politics/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [... the outcome of the Clarence Thomas hearings and his subsequent appointment to the Supreme Court shows how misguided, narrow notions of racial solidarity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-outcome-of-the-clarence-thomas-hearings-and-his-subsequent/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [I still think it's important for people to have a sharp, ongoing critique of marriage in patriarchal society — because once you marry within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-still-think-it-s-important-for-people-to-have-a-sharp-ongoing/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [When we only name the problem, when we state complaint without a constructive focus or resolution, we take hope away. In this way critique…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/when-we-only-name-the-problem-when-we-state-complaint-without-a/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [We have to constantly critique imperialist white supremacist patriarchal culture because it is normalized by mass media and rendered unproblematic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/we-have-to-constantly-critique-imperialist-white-supremacist/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Readers forget that one can critique yet still admire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/readers-forget-that-one-can-critique-yet-still-admire/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Self-ruled Taiwan cannot be expected to accept such an affront to the legitimacy of its government and the self-determination of the Taiwanese people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-akin/self-ruled-taiwan-cannot-be-expected-to-accept-such-an-affront-to-the/) [Todd Akin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-akin/) > [What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations ... is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/what-really-distinguishes-this-generation-in-all-countries-from/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [“I AM ALL ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATION. Will. Control. I determine my path in life. I decide my failures and successes. Screw fate. Destiny can kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/i-am-all-about-self-determination-will-control-i-determine-my-path-in/) [Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/) > [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [She might be without country, without nation, but inside her there was still a being that could exist and be free, that could simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-maas/she-might-be-without-country-without-nation-but-inside-her-there-was/) [Sharon Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-maas/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More by Bell Hooks > [Right now, for many Americans, class is being foregrounded like never before because of the economic situation. It doesn't mean that race doesn't matter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/right-now-for-many-americans-class-is-being-foregrounded-like-never/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Most folks believe we are hardwired biologically to long for sex but they do not believe we are hardwired to long for love. Almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/most-folks-believe-we-are-hardwired-biologically-to-long-for-sex-but/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [... we need to interrogate "reverence," for idolization can be another way one is objectified and not really taken seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/we-need-to-interrogate-reverence-for-idolization-can-be-another-way/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Couples who rarely or never have sex can know lifelong love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/couples-who-rarely-or-never-have-sex-can-know-lifelong-love/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [The power of patriarchy has been to make maleness feared and to make men feel that it is better to be feared that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-power-of-patriarchy-has-been-to-make-maleness-feared-and-to-make/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“I feel enormously blessed to be a successful black woman writer in this culture, but I have found my small fame, such as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-feel-enormously-blessed-to-be-a-successful-black-woman-writer-in/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Language is also a place of struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/language-is-also-a-place-of-struggle/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [In this culture, the phrase 'black woman' is not synonymous with 'tender,' or 'gentle.' It's as if those words couldn't possibly speak to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/in-this-culture-the-phrase-black-woman-is-not-synonymous-with-tender/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [It's interesting to look at all the aspects where everyday Americans, many of whom are not college educated, are thinking deeply now about our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/it-s-interesting-to-look-at-all-the-aspects-where-everyday-americans/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [The true teacher is within us. A good teacher is someone who can help you to go back and touch the true teacher within,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-true-teacher-is-within-us-a-good-teacher-is-someone-who-can-help/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Advancing the notion that there can be many "feminisms" has served the conservative and liberal political interests of women seeking status and privileged class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/advancing-the-notion-that-there-can-be-many-feminisms-has-served-the/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [I love my family, even as I critique their dysfunctionalities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-love-my-family-even-as-i-critique-their-dysfunctionalities/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [You must have courage to love, you have to have a profound will to do what is right to love, and it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/you-must-have-courage-to-love-you-have-to-have-a-profound-will-to-do/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [To truly love we must learn to mix various ingredients - care, affection, recognition, respect, commitment, and trust, as well as honest and open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/to-truly-love-we-must-learn-to-mix-various-ingredients-care-affection/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Often emphasis on identity and lifestyle is appealing because it creates a false sense that one is engaged in praxis. However, praxis within any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/often-emphasis-on-identity-and-lifestyle-is-appealing-because-it/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) [Explore all 541 Bell Hooks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) ## More Black quotes > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [We have to build our own power. 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I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. 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