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Assignment 6

In Bell Hooks’ “Eating the Other”, she explains how western societies have exploited those with cultural differences. They’ve become intensely interested in these different cultures that it has brought up strange desires. In Britain, whenever “the Other” was discussed in conversations, it has always made referenced to those with different sexual desires that deviated from what was considered normal. In modern culture of the United States, they’ve connected the idea of being culturally diverse to having diverse sexual interests. They’re both seen as odd sources of pleasure in  that it is different from what society is usually being exposed to. As a result of the exploitation of “the Other”, western society is seen as usual as being dominant over “the Other”, especially in those who have power.

Another way in which culture is strongly connected to sexual desires, is the idea that it is an “exciting experience”. Hook provides an example of a time where she was walking by Yale University, and she noticed a several white male students discussing how they’ve created a task of having sexual relations with as many women of different racial backgrounds as possible. This example shows us how western society have tried to escape what they’re normally exposed to, and in doing so have sexually exploited “the Other”. They’ve also generalized the idea that women of certain racial backgrounds might be easier or harder to have sexual relations with. Moreover, in establishing this task made by the western society, they are admitting to the fact that they’ve had a white supremacist society for some time by associating other women of different races as weird or interesting.

Hook also describes the idea of imperialist nostalgia, which is the mourning of western societies of their past successes in racial inequality. These societies do not claim responsibility for their actions and even further deny the existence of their ancestors actions. This idea is another way in which exploitation can take form of “the other”.  Hook also says the longing for pleasure is another reason for the desire to westernize and/or take part in other cultures. Additionally, lesser -economically represented groups have been lured into western society with the promise of political change and recognition. In doing so it reinstates the idea of a nationalist society.