Hood Feminism
Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot
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4.5 • 134 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“The fights against hunger, homelessness, poverty, health disparities, poor schools, homophobia, transphobia, and domestic violence are feminist fights. Kendall offers a feminism rooted in the livelihood of everyday women.” —Ibram X. Kendi, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist, in The Atlantic
“One of the most important books of the current moment.”—Time
“A rousing call to action... It should be required reading for everyone.”—Gabrielle Union, author of We’re Going to Need More Wine
A potent and electrifying critique of today’s feminist movement announcing a fresh new voice in black feminism
Today's feminist movement has a glaring blind spot, and paradoxically, it is women. Mainstream feminists rarely talk about meeting basic needs as a feminist issue, argues Mikki Kendall, but food insecurity, access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage, and medical care are all feminist issues. All too often, however, the focus is not on basic survival for the many, but on increasing privilege for the few. That feminists refuse to prioritize these issues has only exacerbated the age-old problem of both internecine discord and women who rebuff at carrying the title. Moreover, prominent white feminists broadly suffer from their own myopia with regard to how things like race, class, sexual orientation, and ability intersect with gender. How can we stand in solidarity as a movement, Kendall asks, when there is the distinct likelihood that some women are oppressing others?
In her searing collection of essays, Mikki Kendall takes aim at the legitimacy of the modern feminist movement, arguing that it has chronically failed to address the needs of all but a few women. Drawing on her own experiences with hunger, violence, and hypersexualization, along with incisive commentary on reproductive rights, politics, pop culture, the stigma of mental health, and more, Hood Feminism delivers an irrefutable indictment of a movement in flux. An unforgettable debut, Kendall has written a ferocious clarion call to all would-be feminists to live out the true mandate of the movement in thought and in deed.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Blogger Kendall (Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists) indicts mainstream feminism for focusing on "debates over last names, body hair, and the best way to be a CEO" rather than the basic survival of marginalized women in this searing essay collection. Grounding her critique in personal experiences of gun violence, police discrimination, single motherhood, poverty, sexual harassment, and the "school-to-prison pipeline," Kendall accuses "theoretically feminist white women" of failing to "make common cause against white supremacy" and "turn to the patriarchy for protection" when they feel threatened. She asks white, straight, cisgender, middle- and upper-class women to become "accomplices" rather than "allies"; to stop fetishizing the bodies of women of color; and to make a living wage, safe neighborhoods,"food insecurity," voting rights, and access to quality medical care and education feminist issues. In the case of Muslim and African-American women challenging the patriarchal structures of Islam and the black church, however, Kendall advises mainstream feminists to step back and resist the impulse to play "white savior." Her forays into satire, including instructions for "How to Write About Black Women," are less impactful than her autobiographical reflections, but Kendall manages to draw a clear picture of what true intersectional feminism looks like. This hard-hitting guide delivers crucial insights for those looking to build a more inclusive movement.
Customer Reviews
A Must Read For Justice Believers
Hood Feminism successfully elevates and presents the case for why addressing feminism from the viewpoint of marginalized and ignored Black/brown women is essential if we truly are to make progress in achieving true solutions for justice and equality in society. Mikki Kendall integrates a great mix of academic research and lived experience to bring points to life and tackles a number of highly complex issues making the connection for why they matter- not just for women, not just for Black/brown people- but for all people in society to thrive.