Bell Hooks

[MY LAST NAME], 1
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Changing Prejudices About The Poor
Seeing and Making Culture: Representing the Poor, an article written by Bell Hooks, also
known as Gloria Watkins, analyses societys unfair judgements, misrepresentations and
uncritical attributes associated with poverty. Brought up in a family that could be regarded as
poor, she has deep understanding of the issue at hand. Her insight into the subject is further
illuminated by her reading and interaction with a philosopher, Cornel West, who is apparently
an authority on the subject having written books about it. With the negative connotations the
society imposes on poor people as hopeless, lazy and weak, West tries to convince Hooks that
she is not poor but working class, but to no avail.
Since her childhood growing up as one of seven children whose breadwinner was a father on
a meagre salary as a post office janitor, Hooks was not ashamed of their poor situation
neither looking at it with rose-tinted glasses nor letting it stigmatize her but she was quite
realistic and appreciated such values as courage and integrity that were instilled into her by
her folks. She only became acutely aware of her poor situation like most of the society
whom she castigates as having deep-seated prejudices about poverty when she joined
university where the poor were depicted as shiftless, mindless, lazy, dishonest, and
[MY LAST NAME], 2
unworthy. These societal prejudices shocked Hooks and it is what she sets out to correct in
this article; not only among the better-off in society, but among the poor themselves.
This is in line with the other social consciousness works by the author who has written
extensively on various topics such as race, gender, politics and popular culture. She grew up
in a racially segregated, small Kentucky town among her poor kith and kin who noted that
money and material possessions did not define a person but rather hard work, honesty and
integrity. When she got a scholarship and loans to attend the elite Stanford University, her
parents worried how she would cater for transportation, books and emergencies. Despite
these hardships, Hooks proceeded to become a reputed scholar and prolific author having
earned a PhD and published many books and essays. For all her success, she identifies with
the middle-class folks who are connected in economic responsibility to kinship structures
where they provide varying material support for others where the issue is always about
money (Hooks, 432).
Hooks believes the prejudices associated with the poor negatively impact the actions,
reputation and self-esteem of most poor people. The prejudices are captured in a situation
where the Stanford students were quick to assume that anything missing had been taken by
the black and Filipina women who worked there (Hooks, 433). Dissuading the society from
these judgmental stances, she says that she views the world in terms of who has money to
spend and who does not. The author notes that there are poor people who are good and some
who are bad, just like in the rest of the society. Yet, some poor people cheat and steal because
they also hope to escape the stigma of their class by appearing to have the trappings of more
privileged classes. Poverty in their minds and in our society as a whole is seen as
synonymous with depravity, lack and worthlessness (Hooks, 434).

[MY LAST NAME], 3
Hooks tells the poor that they have all the potential and worth like everyone else.
Emphasizing the importance of morals and values over economic status, she notes that
everyone can live a worthwhile life. Whether rich or poor, all people deserve respect and
dignity as espoused by various theological teachings. Hooks cites her own liberatory religious
traditions that were in solidarity with the poor with them being viewed as ready for moral
integrity, being encouraged to share resources with others, and assertion of an individuals
power to change the world so that the poor would have their needs met, would have access
to resources, would have justice and beauty in their lives (Hooks, 434).
But progressive intellectuals from rich classes who are themselves obsessed with gaining
material wealth are uncomfortable with the insistence that one can be poor, yet lead a rich and
meaningful life (Hooks, 436). This is reinforced by contemporary popular culture which has
negative portrayals of the poor. The lazy and dysfunctional are portrayed as consumed with
longing to be rich, a longing so intense that it renders them dysfunctional and (sic) willing to
commit all manner of dehumanizing and brutal acts in the name of material gain (Hooks,
434). The working poor are portrayed as suffering self-contempt, with a wit and humor
masking the longing to change their lot.
Yet the experience and subsequent success of Hooks and other people from a poor
background show that poverty is not necessarily a permanent state and it does not have
certain values attached to it regardless the popular belief. The poor should not allow
themselves to be dehumanized by such negative labels as depraved, lazy, worthless,
dishonest Indeed, whereas the very rich do not have to work, the poor have no choice but
to work very hard, usually for little pay, to make ends meet; selflessly sharing it with others
in similarly tough situations.

[MY LAST NAME], 4
This article by Hooks is written in simple, persuasive language suitable to everybody. It
addresses both the poor and the rich in society. The credibility of the author is depicted in
their upbringing and qualifications, making for good ethos. Employment of popular culture
and beliefs as depicted in quotation of the movie Pretty Woman presents and weakens
opposing views, bringing out the strong logos in the work. Pathos is depicted in the articles
imagery and diction as depicted in the example, I frequently spent my holidays with the
black women who cleaned in the dormitories. Their world was my world (Hooks, 431) and
use of such euphemisms as underclass and professional-managerial class.
In the materialistic and individualistic society of today, appearances are usually used to gauge
a persons character. Yet looks can be deceptive. Taught in a culture of poverty to be
intelligent, honest, to work hard, and always to be a person of my word, Hooks effectively
calls on the society to shun these prejudices that unfairly judge, misrepresent and uncritically
attribute individual failing to poverty. In so doing, the society will be responsible and ensure
that the poor live a meaningful, contented and fulfilled life in spite of their circumstances.
Works cited
Hooks, Bell. Seeing and Making Culture: Representing the Poor. From Inquiry to
Academic Writing a Text and Reader. Greene, Stuart and Lidinsky, April. Boston: Bedford,
2008. Print

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What prejudices does society have about poverty according to the author?

How does the author challenge these prejudices?

[MY LAST NAME], 1

Changing Prejudices About The Poor

known as Gloria Watkins, analyses societys unfair judgements, misrepresentations and

she is not poor but working class, but to no avail.

money (Hooks, 432).

synonymous with depravity, lack and worthlessness (Hooks, 434).

masking the longing to change their lot.

themselves to be dehumanized by such negative labels as depraved, lazy, worthless,

in similarly tough situations.

This article by Hooks is written in simple, persuasive language suitable to everybody. It

use of such euphemisms as underclass and professional-managerial class.

a persons character. Yet looks can be deceptive. Taught in a culture of poverty to be

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