Reflective Essay Assignment—bell hooks readings Due October 26
Assignment Title: Personal Reflections on Greed and Peace in bell hooks’ Works
Overview
In Chapters 5 and 4 of Where We Stand and Sisters of the Yam, bell hooks explores critical themes that resonate with individual and collective struggles in American society: the politics of greed and the search for inner peace. hooks argues that greed, as a capitalist value, contributes to the degradation of relationships and society, while true peace requires individual and collective healing and self-awareness, particularly for Black women. This essay invites you to reflect on how these themes connect with your personal experiences and observations of society.
Essay Prompt
Write a reflective essay in which you analyze and respond to one of the following prompts:
Greed and Materialism:
In Chapter 5 of Where We Stand, bell hooks critiques the pervasive impact of greed and materialism in capitalist culture. How have you observed or experienced the effects of greed, materialism, or class privilege in your own life, community, or broader society? How do these observations align with or challenge hooks’ critique of the politics of greed?
Inner Peace and Healing:
In Chapter 4 of Sisters of the Yam, bell hooks discusses the importance of self-care, healing, and finding peace, especially for Black women navigating systemic stressors. Reflect on a period when you sought or achieved inner peace amidst personal or societal challenges. How do hooks’ ideas about self-awareness, community care, and healing connect to your own strategies for managing stress or finding peace?
Intersection of Greed and Peace:
Consider the relationship between the themes of greed and peace in these two chapters. How does hooks’ discussion of capitalist greed as a societal force connect to her ideas about achieving inner peace? Do you believe it is possible to find peace in a society driven by materialism and competition, as hooks argues? Why or why not?
Guidelines
• Your essay should be between 750-1000 words. [ A three-page double-spaced document typically contains 750–1,000 words, with 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font, and minimal spacing.]
• Support your analysis by incorporating at least three direct quotes from bell hooks’ texts.
• Use the first-person narrative to connect hooks’ ideas and your personal experiences or observations.
• Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion that connects your reflections—and include a works-cited page.
Assessment Criteria
Your essay will be assessed on the following:
• Depth of personal reflection and connection to the themes of greed and peace in hooks’ works.
• Use of specific examples from your own experiences or societal observations.
• Engagement with the texts through analysis of quotes and ideas from bell hooks.
• Clarity of writing, including organization, grammar, and coherence.