Bell Hooks Argues There Must Be No

¶ … Bell Hooks Argues There Must be no Split Between Theory and Practice

Hooks also argues quite compellingly about not splitting theory and practice when it comes to feminism. In other words, practice what you preach. The best theory in the world cannot help anyone if it is not put into common practice. As Hooks notes, "I have come to see that silence is an act of complicity, one that helps perpetuate the idea that we can engage in revolutionary black liberation and feminist struggle without theory" (Hooks 39). There must be a theory to believe in, and there must be action to make the theory come true and be realized. She goes on to expound on her thoughts, "By reinforcing the idea that there is a split between theory and practice or by creating such a split, both groups deny the power of liberatory education for critical consciousness, thereby perpetuating conditions that reinforce our collective exploitation and repression" (Hooks 40-41). Her argument may seem emotional, but this is an emotional subject, and her belief that splitting theory and practice only creates more problems is well spoken. Without theory and practice, no group can ever hope to make their cause understood and ultimately successful. For example, if the Revolutionaries had only voiced their theory that America should break from Great Britain, but never put it into practice, then Americans might still be British subjects. Hooks' argument is valid, and while it may seem emotional, it makes good sense.