I met bell hooks in the spring of 1989 at a conference held at Queens College, celebrating Toni Morrison and her novel Beloved. Of the many noted and important literary scholars and critics participating, bell hooks was one of the most well-known, both inside and outside of academia. I attended the panel that she was on and was blown away by her observations about and analysis of the pain, longing, and yearning in Morrison’s work in general, and Beloved specifically. She also managed to relate her commentary to things beyond Morrison and Beloved. Her remarks provoked strong reactions, some of which were negative, and even hostile. She listened and responded in a way that was brilliant, generous, and expressed humility and acceptance, but also steadfastness. After the session ended, I got out of my seat, entered the aisle, and started to leave the auditorium. Suddenly, I felt someone...

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