The biggest thing that Bell Hooks needs to belong is connections. She talks about the connections in Kentucky with the people, her family, and nature. She talks about how she wanted to be with her parents as they age into their older years, and how "When life inside the concrete house was painful, unbearable, there was always the outside." She is connected to nature and also talks many times about the mountains.
Some of the challenges she faced were the racial disparity in Kentucky. She had to deal with people that glorified the confederate flag, and people that "mask their denial of white supremacy by mouthing slogans like 'heritage not hate.'" Another challenge she faced was her fears following her to wherever she moved.
What I need to belong, is joy and a lighthearted atmosphere. I need a place that doesn't instill fear and allows some time to myself. I also have to agree with needing time in nature. There is something so peaceful about nature, that really allows you to just think. When I was writing one of the things I was thinking about was fairies. I don't know why, but that's what I was thinking about. I thought about how they are friends with the animals and everyone is admired for being different and having different skills. Things just seem so great for fairies.
A challenge I face in meeting my needs for belonging is conflict. I can't make everyone happy, and I can't make everyone get along and agree. I also have this inner turmoil of wanting to be with others but also need enough time to myself.
Hooks, Bell. Belonging: a Culture of Place. Routledge, 2019.
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Destiny, I really enjoyed reading your post. To belong I also need to be around nature. A small side note I have just learned about fairies and fairy circles. I didn't know anything about them, but my roommate told me all about them and I think they are very cool. Your images are very nice, and I really liked the warm color used in them, and the way the brighten around the subject/subjects.
ReplyDelete-Jessica Bland
I wonder if, for you, fairies represent the need to dream and be fantastical. I would love to hear more about this, although I appreciate you sharing this specific detail.
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