--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once you do away with the idea of people…" description: "\"Once you do away with the idea of people as fixed, static entities, then you see that people can change, and there is hope.\" — Bell Hooks" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/bell-hooks-464_change_once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people_3224037.jpg" --- # Once you do away with the idea of people as fixed, static… ![“Once you do away with the idea of people as fixed, static entities, then you see that people can change, and there is hope.” quote by Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/bell-hooks-464_change_once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people_3224037.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/bell-hooks-464_change_once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people_3224037.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/bell-hooks-464_change_once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people_3224037.jpg) > “Once you do away with the idea of people as fixed, static entities, then you see that people can change, and there is hope.” [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. Seeing people as capable of change creates hope and openness to transformation. **In simple terms:** People can change, offering hope. Key Takeaway Embrace growth in yourself and others. Themes hope change humanity Mood optimistic encouraging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - relationship counseling - personal development - social activism - education reform Key Concepts feminist theory psychology Questions to Reflect On - What changes do you seek in yourself? - How can you support others' growth? A Different Perspective Change is not guaranteed; some may resist despite hope. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-change/) ## Related quotes > [If a man like Malcolm X could change and repudiate racism, if I myself and other former Muslims can change, if young whites can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eldridge-cleaver/if-a-man-like-malcolm-x-could-change-and-repudiate-racism-if-i-myself/) [Eldridge Cleaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eldridge-cleaver/) > [Whether it's from the books or the films, there are some people that will have a very fixed idea in their head. You're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-dancy/whether-it-s-from-the-books-or-the-films-there-are-some-people-that/) [Hugh Dancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-dancy/) > [I think it does surprise me a bit when people have a very fixed idea of what I'm like, based upon the work that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pj-harvey/i-think-it-does-surprise-me-a-bit-when-people-have-a-very-fixed-idea/) [PJ Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pj-harvey/) > [“I have a history of trying to fix that which is broken, and I still don’t think I’ve fully learned that people can’t be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/i-have-a-history-of-trying-to-fix-that-which-is-broken-and-i-still/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [People had fixed an image of me in their heads that took a lot of time to change. And I don't like being typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prachi-desai/people-had-fixed-an-image-of-me-in-their-heads-that-took-a-lot-of/) [Prachi Desai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prachi-desai/) > [“Some people can't be fixed, or if they can, it's only by love so big it destroys the fixer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-sheridan/some-people-can-t-be-fixed-or-if-they-can-it-s-only-by-love-so-big-it/) [Mia Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-sheridan/) > [“As strange as it sounds, broken people are fixed by other broken people. It's God's economy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/as-strange-as-it-sounds-broken-people-are-fixed-by-other-broken/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [Lots of things can be fixed. Things can be fixed. But many times, relationships between people cannot be fixed, because they should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lots-of-things-can-be-fixed-things-can-be-fixed-but-many-times/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Markets are not static entities that are 'intervened' in (for good or bad) but are outcomes of public and private interactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariana-mazzucato/markets-are-not-static-entities-that-are-intervened-in-for-good-or/) [Mariana Mazzucato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariana-mazzucato/) > [If things do not exist as fixed, independent entities, then how can they die? 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Imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-phelps-roper/if-you-can-see-these-people-as-human-beings-and-capable-of-change/) [Megan Phelps-Roper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-phelps-roper/) > [So I think (Obama) definitely has convinced people that he stands for change and for hope, and I can't wait to see what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sarandon/so-i-think-obama-definitely-has-convinced-people-that-he-stands-for/) [Susan Sarandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sarandon/) > [“The world isn't necessarily going to explode. There will just be vast change. There is hope. It is in the rain forests, the healing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/the-world-isn-t-necessarily-going-to-explode-there-will-just-be-vast/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [“Even the cruel feel pain. And even the cruel can change. I hope this changes him. He could do so much, if only he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/even-the-cruel-feel-pain-and-even-the-cruel-can-change-i-hope-this/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) ## 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 Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once you do away with the idea of people as fixed, static entities, then you see that people can change, and there is hope.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bell Hooks" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people-as-fixed-static-entities/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people-as-fixed-static-entities/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/bell-hooks-464_change_once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people_3224037.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/bell-hooks-464_change_once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people_3224037.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/bell-hooks-464_change_once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people_3224037.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Once you do away with the idea of people as fixed, static entities, then you see that people can change, and…” — Bell Hooks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bell Hooks", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Once you do away with the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people-as-fixed-static-entities/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/once-you-do-away-with-the-idea-of-people-as-fixed-static-entities/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```