Hello comrades, it's time for our first discussion thread for The Will to Change! Please share your thoughts below on the first two sections of the book. There's quite a lot to talk about between hooks' discussion of masculinity discourse within feminist circles, the ways both men and women uphold patriarchy, and the near universal experience of men being forced to suppress their rich emotional worlds from a young age. I'll be posting my thoughts in a little bit after I'm done with work.

If you haven't read the book yet but would like to, its available free on the Internet Archive in text form, as well as an audiobook on Youtube with content warnings at the start of each chapter, courtesy of the Anarchist Audio Library, and as an audiobook on our very own TankieTube! (note: the YT version is missing the Preface but the Tankietube version has it) Let me know if you'd like to be added to the ping list!

Our next discussion will be on Chapters 2 (Understanding Patriarchy) and 3 (Being a Boy), beginning on 12/4.

Thanks to everyone who is or will be participating, I'm really looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts! feminism

  • MaoTheLawn [any, any]
    ·
    22 hours ago

    I listened to the Tankietube version. The voice was so much better suited than the Youtube version. The YT version was also missing the preface.

    I found it interesting overall, although generally so far Hooks (I know she doesn't want it capitalised, but it makes for confusing reading otherwise, sorry...) has prioritised personal reflections over hard data. That's all I found lacking. I'm sure she gets into that in the next chapters. The words have had a nice rhythm so far though. It's an easy listen.

    The stuff about the scarcity of male affection resulting in it being worth more was especially interesting.

    I had another bit that resonated with me, but I can't recall it right now. I'm sure someone else will mention it for me.

    In general, while listening I reflected on my current psyche, and how in getting through some trying times I have recently become more emotionally blunted than I've been in a long time, and found myself at times unable to even find the words to comfort others. It resonated with me that to rectify that, I must consciously recognise when I do it.

    Overall, a valuable listen so far, and I'll be tuning into the next chapters.