---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When women with class power…"
description: "\"“When women with class power opportunistically use a feminist platform while undermining feminist politics that helps keep in place a patriarchal syste..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/bell-hooks-464_feminism_when-women-with-class-power-opportunisti_3211022.jpg"
---

#  When women with class power opportunistically use a…

![“When women with class power opportunistically use a feminist platform while undermining feminist politics that helps keep in place a patriarchal system that will ultimately re-subordinate them, they do not just betray feminism; they betray themselves.” quote by bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/bell-hooks-464_feminism_when-women-with-class-power-opportunisti_3211022.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/bell-hooks-464_feminism_when-women-with-class-power-opportunisti_3211022.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/bell-hooks-464_feminism_when-women-with-class-power-opportunisti_3211022.jpg)

> ““When women with class power opportunistically use a feminist platform while undermining feminist politics that helps keep in place a patriarchal system that will ultimately re-subordinate them, they do not just betray feminism; they betray themselves.””

[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.

When women in positions of power co‑opt feminist rhetoric while preserving patriarchal structures, they betray both feminism and themselves.

**In simple terms:** Power‑hungry women misuse feminism, harming the movement and themselves.

Key Takeaway

Align actions with feminist principles, not personal gain.

Themes

feminism power integrity

Mood

concerned determined hopeful

Type

critical inspirational

When to use this quote

- political leadership
- activism
- organizational policy
- media commentary

Key Concepts

Patriarchy co‑optation self‑betrayal

Questions to Reflect On

- How can movements guard against co‑optation by insiders?
- What personal practices sustain authentic feminist commitment?

A Different Perspective

Such betrayals can erode trust and weaken collective progress.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Betray Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/betray-feminism-5999552/) [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Feminism Betray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism-betray-5999551/) [Feminist Platform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminist-platform-5999553/) [Feminist Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminist-politics-2612639/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Undermining Feminist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undermining-feminist-5999550/)

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## More by bell hooks

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