the stereotype of intense sexual prowess embraced it by romanticizing prostitution and pimping. hooks discusses misogyny in rap music, films like Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song and the rape of young black boys as other examples of patriarchal black sexuality. Rape at the hands of adult male perpetrators or an adult female prostitute, scars children and objectifies black men. To combat this, hooks calls for a "new kind of sex" that "refuses to ground sexual acts in narratives of domination and submission" as well as promoting sexual healing therapy among the black community. Themes This novel discusses deals with themes surrounding the many societal challenges and pressures black men face in a patriarchal society. Throughout the book you find themes of racial injustice, gender roles, and feminism throughout the chapters. Masculinity Layered throughout the novel is the idea of how a traditional “cool” black man was supposed to act. Typically being “cool” referred to a black man’s ability to withstand many trials and tribulations. They were expected to face all their challenges head on as opposed to adopting a “poor me” mentality Patriarchy The book discusses the typical societal view of how “traditional”;black men and black women were supposed to act. This is evident in how the novel discusses how black men and women were expected to conform to “societal norms” if they were to be accepted and recognized in society. Reception We Real Cool was received with mixed reviews upon initial release. Sarah Gold of Publishers Weekly commented that hooks was "a writer of extraordinary skill"., but one who "pads out her insights with lengthy quotations from many sources, which thin but don't fully dilute her revolutionary message of love." Vernon Ford of Booklist echoed concerns that hooks relied too heavily on feminist ideology. Nevertheless, his review was generally positive: " [Hook's] recollections of her own family experiences and growing up black in America reflect extraordinary insight into both our cultural frailties and our potential. Readers interested in black cultural issues from a feminist perspective will enjoy this book." See also Hegemonic masculinity References Further reading 2004 non-fiction books Books about men Books by bell hooks English-language books Gender studies books Men and feminism Men's movement in the United States Men's studies Non-fiction books about racism