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LauraGrace Orner
Dr. Kendra Parker
English 113: Feminist Perspectives
October 8, 2016
Chick Fight: The Feminist Feud and How Its Turning People Away
In her article bell hooks vs. Beyonc: What this feminist scholarly critique gets wrong
about Lemonade and liberation, Lasha critiques bell hooks analysis of Beyoncs visual
album Lemonade. Specifically, Lasha does not consider herself a feminist because she feels that
the movement has become more about infighting than social justice. She believes that the feuds
of the movements leaders with each other (i.e. bell hooks and Beyonc) overshadow any good
that feminism doing. As she herself puts it practical feminism is more popularity contest than
movement for equality and liberation, more infighting than unity. It is a trendy term, and an
elitist one. Although some people believe in the power of feminism and its leaders to create
positive social change, Lasha maintains that feminists have become too oppositional with one
another to achieve any future coherence as a movement. In sum, then, her view is that the
arguments between feminist superpowers such as bell hooks and Beyonc make it impossible for
the movement to be anything of substance, thus she cannot associate herself with it.
I agree with Lasha. In my view, feminists are attacked enough in our patriarchal society
without individuals within the movement shaming each other when fellow activists stray outside
their personal feminist perspective. Feminism must be multifaceted to allow for the diverse
numerous perspectives of its activists. Hooks clearly does not believe this for she is quoted by
Lasha as saying Beyonc can both create images and present viewers with her own
interpretation of what those images mean. However, her interpretation cannot stand as truth.
Lasha continues this thought by arguing that neither woman is truly fixing the problem of gender
discrimination, but is either ignoring patriarchal rule or campaigning for matriarchy. While I do
not agree with Lasha that these women are not making strides for the feminist movement, I do
agree with her that hooks is in no position to say that Beyoncs feminist vision is untrue. Both
of these women, hooks and Beyonc, contribute unique and influential perspectives on the
feminist movement. I admire both women for what they bring to the table, but I cannot condone
hooks actions within the movement until she is no longer involved in infighting.
I believe that it is important to discuss the feminist movement and to share our own
individual perspectives of it; that is why I chose to take an English class on feminist
perspectives. However, I believe that we must come to the table with an open mind and be
prepared to listen in order to understand rather than to simply retort. Individuals will not share
their point of view if they believe that it will not be respectfully heard. Similarly, people will be
deterred from the feminist movement if they believe that it is not a cause worthy of respect. How
can we expect people outside of the movement to respect our point of view, if we ourselves
cannot respect our fellow feminists perspectives? The feminist movement must work toward
mutual respect of our different perspectives in order to make any advancement on our shared
goals.
Works Cited

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Lasha. "Bell Hooks vs. Beyonc: What This Feminist Scholarly Critique Gets Wrong about
Lemonade and Liberation." Salon. N.p., 17 May 2016. Web. 08 Oct. 2016.