Hood Feminism

Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot

By: Mikki Kendall

Narrated by: Mikki Kendall

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.

Relevant must read!

This is a powerful and relevant book that I enjoyed immensely. It analyzes the state of where black women fit within an movement that in some cases is lead by white women who can’t represent black women.

My favorite chapters deliver very powerful views; Pretty for a Black Girl, Missing and Murdered; Fear and Feminism. She definitely speaks truth in the chapter: Race, Poverty and Racism. “It’s not just black lives that matter black votes matter too.”

I appreciate seeing a perspective of how white voices eclipse black movements and voices due to the fact that white feminists are heard and/or ignore the situations that don’t effect them. This book is not impacted by the pandemic and will be as it always has been an issue that existed before and will continue until change is enacted.

For Everyone Living in the U. S. of A.

We all live in our own box. This book will force you outside of that box.

Excellent read

Wonderful perspective of the feminist movement through the lens of those who were never intended to take part in it.

Thought-Provoking

This was a thought-provoking read, one that sparked many a late night discussion between my wife and I. This was a powerful read, one that constantly made me exclaim, “Yes, exactly,” or “I didn’t know other feminists felt this way, too.” There are times when chapters go off on tangents, but the writing usually circles back. Overall, I would recommend this for anyone who wants a different perspective on feminism or for anyone who self-identifies as feminist but also feels outside the mainstream perspective.

Wow, wow, wow!

You will be left forever changed. This book tears through feminism to include EVERYONE. Loved every minute of this listen.