Reference no: EM132866609

Question 1: Why did bell hooks criticize Margaret Thatcher and Sandra Day O'Connor perspective of power?

• Bell Hooks criticizes O'Connor's perspective of power because she "is not supportive of most reforms that would enable women to have greater control over their lives" and she only supports policy decisions that will maintain the status quo (Hooks 89). Her appointment shows women, especially white women, that you can gain power and prestige within the existing structure so long as you support it. Women like O'Connor continue to support white supremacy, capitalism, and patriarchy and they will continue to undermine the feminist movement as long as it benefits the status quo undermining the struggle to end sexist oppression. These women are assuring men that their "masculinity" is in no way diminished and will continue to support white supremacy.
•  "Margaret Thatcher, leader of England's conservative party, made the decision to terminate the distribution of free milk to school children" (Books 85). She became influential and powerful within England's political structure and in the process became the oppressor of other people when she decided to revoke free milk from school children. Bell Hooks criticizes them because they gave up on women's rights and the feminist movement in order to become more powerful and influencial within a system that supports "white sumpremacy".