“the wounded child inside many males is a boy who, when he first spoke his truths, was silenced by paternal sadism, by a patriarchal world that did not want him to claim his true feelings. The wounded child inside many females is a girl who was taught from early childhood that she must become something other than herself, deny her true feelings, in order to attract and please others. When men and women punish each other for truth telling, we reinforce the notion that lies are better. To be loving we willingly hear the other’s truth, and most important, we affirm the value of truth telling. Lies may make people feel better, but they do not help them to know love.”

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About bell hooks

bell hooks is an American cultural critic and feminist theorist. She is best known for her accessible, intersectional writings on race, gender, and education, blending academic rigor with a commitment to social justice. Her work remains influential in discussions about identity and systemic change.

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"the wounded child inside many males is a boy who, when he first spoke…" — bell hooks | Daily Quotes