The Idea of University- Bell Hooks
The author began by discussing the relationship between her and her parents and their attitudes toward her attending Stanford University. As she made the transition from high school to college, Hooks' parental support was present but minimal: a fact made clear when Hooks stated, "It is difficult for me to talk about my parents and their impact on me because they have always felt wary, ambivalent, mistrusting of my intellectual aspirations even as they have been caring and supporting." Imagining that Bell would venture off to college and completely abandon her past was the fear of the Hooks family, thus causing them to adamantly oppose her going so far from home. Despite her parents' cynicism of her behavior in college and even though they acted in ways which sometimes made her question the value and significance of intellectual endeavor, Bell yet pursued her aspirations with the minimum support she had. From a more personal standpoint, I received support from a myriad of f!amily and friends in the college decision-making process. Naturally, there was a slight sense of uncertainty and apprehension, on my father's part especially, but overall, there were no major hindrances in my way. My parents never had to wonder or worry
" Not only do I speak openly about my background without any regrets, but I also take great pride in it. No shame has ever overtaken me, not at any time. My main focus coming to college was to gain knowledge and simultaneously enlighten as many as possible: just as I have a lot to learn, I also have an abundance to share with others about my background and life experiences. This is what I understand college to be- a place where people of diverse communities, heritages, religions, etc. come together to intellectualize and influence each other in a positive way, stimulating our thought processes, challenging one another. This does not mean that we all have to come together and form a collegiate melting pot, but we should at least be open-minded to differences, whether or not one of us is from the ghetto or another of us is a product of Society Hill. One other interesting fact that Hooks alluded to could have easily gone unmentioned since she discussed it ever so briefly. Hooks recalled an instance from her past: Hooks also note how difficult it was for her to maintain and remain true to herself in a predominately white, Ivy League institution, when she herself came from a working-class background. "It
Some common words found in the essay are:
Ivy League, Hill Hooks, Imagining Bell, Stanford University, , total unity,
Approximate Word count = 823
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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