#1 Talking Back: Young Women and Their Voices

I can remember the rush I got as a kid talking back to my parents. Wondering whether I would get grounded or spanked. It was usually a toss up between the two. At the age of seven though I couldn't help but feel like  a rebel telling my parents how I felt about their rules (except looking back on it I was usually in the wrong). Honestly out of all the women writers though we have read about I think Bell Hooks could have been the easiest to relate to, at least for myself that is. Most people can put themselves in bell hooks place whether its talking back to parents, a friend, a boss, or anyone that considers themselves to be at a higher status. Kids crave for the attention of their superiors just like bell hooks did in talking back. They want their opinions to be heard. And why not?

I feel like we don't encourage our youth to speak out enough. They are our future. If they don't have a voice young they may never have one. The best thing about bell hooks was her persistence. She clearly got knocked down most of the time when she tried to add into conversations but that didn't matter to her. She also had the double disadvantage of being a woman and a child. We also can't forget about her race. (That is the one part of this passage I cannot relate to. I have always had the white privilege that I think many people take for granted.) But on another note how exactly is a girl supposed to overcome this obstacle? Young girls have enough to be self conscious about now a days. As a society we need to encourage them to write and speak out, voice their opinions. Building confidence begins young and develops over time. Bell hooks is the prime example of this. She started young telling adults how she felt and now she is a very successful woman's writer.

Yet I can't help but wonder does every women writer have a mental break down about their work at some point in time. Even Bell Hooks being a strong women has doubted herself. She mentions, " It has been difficult for me to claim "writer" as part of that which identifies and shapes my every day reality." This statement definitely discouraged me a little. Just because it's sad to think that this women who is a symbol of strength still is influenced by societies views on women speaking out. Especially for opinions that are important and intelligent. I know this conflict will always be their for women. I just hope that it discourages people less and less from being afraid of their voices!