Homegrown: Engaged Cultural Criticism

by bell hooks, Amalia Mesa-Bains

Mainstream rhetoric has made a concerted effort to polarize African Americans and Latinos, emphasizing differences in language and religion, while designating one or the other as the “favored minority” at will. In Witness , Amalia Mesa-Bains and bell hooks invite us to reexamine this politically popular binary and consider which differences are manufactured and which are real. In Witness , Mesa-Bains and hooks explore their own similarities and differences, sharing the ways their childhoods, families, and work have shaped their political activism, teaching, and artistic expression. Drawing on shared experiences of sexism, classism, and racism, hooks and Mesa-Bains show how people from divergent cultural backgrounds can work together for radical social change. While the black/Latino divide and the increasing cross-community political collaboration has been addressed in progressive newspapers and magazines, Witness , an inclusive call to reflect and act, is the first of its kind to look at these issues in depth. And Amalia Mesa-Bains, a pioneer scholar and producer of Chicana art, with bell hooks, one of the most acclaimed of African American theorists—prove an unparalleled match for the job. bell hooks is one of the leading public intellectuals of her generation. She has written extensively on the emotional impact of racism and sexism, particularly on black women, as well as the importance of political engagement with art and the media. In her recent work on love, relationships, and community, she shows how emotional health is a necessary component to effective resistance and activism. Amalia Mesa-Bains is an artist, curator, and writer who has initiated comprehensive exhibitions of Latino art, including Chicano Resistance and Affirmation and Mi Alma, Mi Tierra, Mi Contemporary Chicana Art . Her artwork incorporates various aspects of Chicano/a history, culture, and folk traditions, exploring religion, ritual, and female rites of passage. She won a MacArthur Fellowship in 1992.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Essays, Social Justice, Race, Education, African American

175 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

About the author

bell hooks (deliberately in lower-case; born Gloria Jean Watkins) was an African-American author, feminist, and social activist. Her writing focused on the interconnectivity of race, class, and gender and their ability to produce and perpetuate systems of oppression and domination. She published over thirty books and numerous scholarly and mainstream articles, appeared in several documentary films and participated in various public lectures. Primarily through a postmodern female perspective, she addressed race, class, and gender in education, art, history, sexuality, mass media and feminism.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent cultural criticism between two scholars of color regarding race, class, immigration rights, and the contiued struggle against white supremacy. I listened to the audiobook and there was one narrator for both voices, I think if the authors had been allowed to record their parts, it would have been better.

[N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up! i loved the chapter on memory / collective memory as resistance. i would’ve loved more solid references and citations, there’s a few sprinkled throughout but most of the hooks’ points are highly anecdotal (most of her work is iirc?) and for that reason it feels a little insubstantial. but the format made for easy reading, and the conversations conveyed interesting though not necessarily novel observations of prevailing modern culture 🤔

[ink · Rating 4 out of 5]

academically interesting and proves why we should engage with art and inspect our culture more to really understand rather than just follow the mainstream. one of the things you would reread for a college essay 👍

[counter-hegemonicon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good points I guess but mostly smoking that fantasy of multiculturalism without the corresponding critique of POC antiblackness pack. Also totally dishonest about Mexico which I will never visit again. Adelantar/mejorar la raza anybody?

[Claire Polacheck · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay I did think that the 2023 edition of this would have more commentary from the last two decades than just a tiny afterword but that’s what I get for arbitrarily picking audiobooks on libby in the “available now” category. it was fun to hear about the bush administration like it really happened. this was accessible and engaging, i particularly enjoyed amalia’s perspective on beauty and convergent american experiences

[Marisha Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This conversation was so interesting to me. It made me feel something. I listened to it on audible and it really felt like I caught a special moment between two very special women bringing very special perspectives to the table. I finished this book feeling hopeful and better informed. Definitely consider this to be a good read!

[Frank Karioris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear hearted conversation and dialogue between two amazing thinkers. Sits well in line with hooks other two volumes. More focused on art, but, for both, art touches nearly every single aspect of life - so it is not as limiting as it at first might appear on the surface.

[Lew Stanisława · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, interesting read with strong and precious points, particularly on the harms of capitalism and patriarchy. I do get a feeling that Bell had some crazy standards for other BIPOC folks and did not accept much divergence from her ideals of culture and intellectualism.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for being the best friend I could ever ask for?

[Victoria Tang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treasure trove of ideas and history that I want to gift to all my friends. I learned so much.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Two women talking over the kitchen table". Profound, informative, prophetic, and reflective. 

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite so far of bell hooks’ “talking books.” I especially loved the chapter on Resistance Pedagogies.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really nice little book for looking into cultural studies. There are a number of common themes:

A strong focus on capitalism and how it has led to the commodification of artists of colour, black and latino cultural artifact and celebrations (such as the day of the dead), and multiculturalism (which is a tool used to sell to a more diverse audience). All of this in an effort to keep the white commanders in control.

In addition there is a look at radical pedagogy and changing the way that we structure education to people who do not fit into the white, individualistic framework of contemporary pedagogy. Specifically, a strong focus on providing more bilingual education to latino students and black students (english classes for the former and spanish classes for the latter).

In addition, these women place an emphasis on memory and the continued relationship with one’s past as a tool for revolution. Without knowing one’s past, one cannot venture into the future. These women want for people of colour to embrace their history: both the good and the bad. In addition to this, they are quite clear that patriarchy does exist within minority communities, and the only way to truly move forward is to understand that this is the case, move out of this, and empower strong female leaders.

All of this is discussed in a down to earth, nuanced manner, that is not overtly academic.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review from thinkgirl.net:

Homegrown records a wise, poetic, and revolutionary conversation between bell hooks, renowned African-American writer on sexism and racism, and award-winning Chicana artist Amalia Mesa-Bains. Traversing such topics as family, spirituality, art, activism, immigration, multiculturalism, education, and death, their chat challenges divides between African-American women and Latinas. Ultimately, they model storytelling as political activism. The afterword makes readers hungry for more homegrown talk over kitchen tables, where all social justice movements emerge and renew. — Review by Julie Fiandt

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent dialogue between a chicana and an african-american woman about how their races were taught to deal cautiously with other races, the traditions they hold in common, the way our society makes life harder for women of color and a million other well-reasoned, beautifully written things...

[ps - does anyone know how to move something from currently-reading to another shelf? i have not yet figured it out...]

[Belinda]

I was lured by the way the joint authors (bell hooks & Amalia Mesa-Baines) and how it's arranged. The book is written as a conversation between two women, two intellectuals of color who share the same passion for cultural criticism. They talk about the similarities and differences they have. Haven't been reading in order. Right now, focused on the chapters "Home," Memory," and will begin "Dia de los Muertos" soon. Interesting for my needs....again, the Alamo project.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique and important intersectional exchange on race, womanhood, community and education in today's United States, homegrown is one of those works that left me with more questions than answers. It is short, though powerful in its brevity. A simple conversation between bell hooks and Amalia Mesa-Bains, this work serves as a reminder of the power of the individual and the strength of community. Inspired and thought-provoking, particularly for women of color.

Highly recommended.

[Liliana Valenzuela · Rating 3 out of 5]

an engaging dialogue between a Latina artista and an African-American writer and thinker. The edition is marred by errors in Spanish and even in English, in spelling, grammar, poor editing. I would still recommend it for those wanting to learn about the nuances of what's going on the Latino community and the Black community and what women artists and thinkers have to contribute.

[Shelly]

This is a book I have had on my shelf for a LONG time... LOVE bell hooks - picked it up, put it down, read other things. I thought I would at least be honest about it, so it's back to the to-read shelf it goes. What are y'all taking on vacation with you?

[Erica Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! I loved the "Feminist Iconography" section where hooks and Amalia explain that "Frida Kahlo" has been materialized! That is very true! Young people these days "think" they know Frida and her art..

[Kristina]

fun conversations between these amazing women.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

very educational

[Teddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Much needed addition for black/brown (that's alphabetical, folks, don't get all upset) collaboration.