She believes men can find the way to spiritual unity by getting back in touch with the emotionally open part of themselves-and lay claim to the rich and rewarding inner lives that have historically been the exclusive province of women. In other words, feeling deeply, refusing to conform to patriarchal masculinity, is just about as good a way of honoring her memory as anything. With trademark candor and fierce intelligence, hooks addresses the most common concerns of men, such as fear of intimacy and loss of their patriarchal place in society, in new and challenging ways. Perhaps the best thing men can do to honor bell hooks after her passing is to fight to not engage with those outdated social norms.

But toxic masculinity punishes those fundamental emotions, and it’s so deeply ingrained in our society that it’s hard for men to not comply-but hooks wants to help change that. In The Will to Change, bell hooks gets to the heart of the matter and shows men how to express the emotions that are a fundamental part of who they are-whatever their age, marital status, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. But to know love, men must be able to look at the ways that patriarchal culture keeps them from knowing themselves, from being in touch with their feelings, from loving. THE WILL TO CHANGE: Men, Masculinity, and Love bell hooks. She dives into the heart of the subject with courage and shows men that they can love and express emotions, regardless of their ages, cultural persuasion, or ethnicity.From the New York Times bestselling author of All About Love, a brave and astonishing work that challenges patriarchal culture and encourages men to reclaim the best part of themselves.Įveryone needs to love and be loved-even men. In this book, hooks explores these themes with candor and grace, suggesting that that everyone deserves love, and more importantly, everyone needs to love. The Will to Change brings together these in-depth discussions for an exploration of the deep-rooted fears of men, including concerns about a loss of status in society and a fear of emotional openness. The Will to Change continues on this provocative path, with a brave and honest attempt to unravel questions and provide answers to questions about love, intimacy and the patriarchy.Īfter the publication of her triology, All About Love, Salvation, and Communion, hooks had conversations with men who were inspired to interrogate their indeas of gender and masculinity. Bell hooks didn't become one of America's foremost voices on modern culture by playing by the rules.

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