Salvation: Black People and Love (Bell Hooks Love Trilogy) [Paperback]

In the book's introduction, hooks is clearly positioning herself in the great tradition of African-American literature and cultural activism: she makes reference to Lorraine Hansberry, Zora Neale Hurston, Ann Petry, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, June Jordan, and, of course, King. Later in the book she goes on to reference many other comparable figures: Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Paul Laurence Dunbar, etc. Among the topics she addresses are the following: images of African-Americans in the media, single mothers, black masculinity, the role of gay men and women in the black community, etc.

hooks' project is admirable, and her prose is engaging. Despite the book's strengths, however, I did not find it wholly satisfying. hooks has an annoying habit of citing her own books too much; I know she is a prolific author, but I find too much self-citation quite unappealing. Some of her critiques are questionable; I was particularly disturbed by her harsh assessments of Betty Shabazz and Coretta Scott King. And frankly, hooks cites so many different people and cultural phenomena that the book often feels rushed and shallow. Toni Morrison's "Sula," rapper Lil' Kim, the film "Soul Food," "The Cosby Show," Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, W.E.B. Du Bois, Clarence Thomas: the names fly by at a dizzying rate.

Still, there is much to admire in "Salvation." I was particularly impressed by her large-spirited celebration of black gay men and lesbians; she mentions such important figures as Audre Lorde and Joseph Beam, and offers an intriguing glimpse at the hidden history of black gay people. Many of her autobiographical passages also have the ring of power and honesty. Overall, "Salvation" is well worth reading, especially for those with an interest in African-American studies.

she offers up theory, evidence and most of all a solution and a call to action for us ALL to affect the way love exists in black community. What Salvation leaves is an uplifiting message that while we come from the fractures and fissures left by forced relocation, slavery and dehumanization, love is not an impossibility or a fairytale, but a real necessity in our lives. I also appreciated how hooks addressed not just issues of romantic love but parental affection and the need of a "love ethic" within the black community that will be our salvation.
hooks has done it again, and with every book she lays the map of the black experience from the eyes of a scholar, a woman and a black person. She does it so clearly, and honestly, without guile or resentment, that even non-black scholars can appreciate her viewpoint without feeling alienated -- my roomate and I talked about this book for days after I (initially hesitating for fear she wouldn't 'get it') shared it with her. Its nice to be wrong about some things :)