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 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 crafted a ferocious clarion call to all would-be feminists to live out the true mandate of the movement in thought and in deed.

©2020 Mikki Kendall (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Named a Best Book of 2020 by Bustle, BBC, and Time

A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of 2020

“In prose that is clean, crisp, and cutting, Kendall reveals how feminism has both failed to take into account populations too often excluded from the banner of feminism and failed to consider the breadth of issues affecting the daily lives of millions of women. . . . Throughout, Kendall thoughtfully and deliberately takes mainstream feminism to task . . . [but] if Hood Feminism is a searing indictment of mainstream feminism, it is also an invitation. For every case in which Kendall highlights problematic practices, she offers guidance for how we can all do better.”—NPR

“With poise and clarity, Kendall lays out the case for why feminists need to fight not just for career advancement but also for basic needs and issues that often plague women of color, including food security, educational access, a living wage and safety from gun violence. In expertly tying the racial justice and feminist movements together, Kendall’s is one of the most important books of the current moment.”—Time, “100 Must-Read Books of 2020”

“Hood Feminism paints a brutally candid and unobstructed portrait of mainstream white feminism: a narrow movement that disregards the needs of the overwhelming majority of women. In the storied tradition of Black feminism stretching back to Maria Stewart, Kendall persuasively contends that women’s basic needs are feminist issues. 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

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.

Hood Feminism is thoughtful, insightful and incisive.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Hood Feminism ~ Notes From The Women That A Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall.
A memoir, interwoven with African American history, feminist theory, discrimination, racism, political commentary and opinions.

"People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them". James Baldwin.

Hood Feminism is thoughtful, insightful and incisive. Mikki Kendall gets into 'Good Trouble' with prose that won't let you put the book down. Every word screams from the pages, refusing to be ignored. Passionately penned - a call to action. This text took me to task and did not fall short of bringing to the forefront the issues that Black girls / women, trans and marginalized folx frequently encounter. These issues include but are not limited to poverty, hunger, single parenting, education, housing, reproductive justice, race and politics. Ms. Kendall also demystifies stereotypical beliefs and myths that demean Black women and girls.

"It's not going to be a comfortable read, but it is going to be an opportunity to learn for those who are willing to do the hard work. It's not meant to be easy to read, nor is it a statement that major issues facing marginalized communities cannot be fixed - but no problem like racism, misogynoir, or homophobia ever went away because everyone ignored it."   Mikki Kendall.

Honoring the work done by Black Feminists who paved the way, Ms. Kendall fearlessly picked up and carries the feminist torch, reminding us of the historical and current plight we must overcome. Hood Feminism is a modern critique of feminism today, exposing white feminist  mediocre attempts to address inequalities within the movement. Several valid references were made throughout the text exposing how white feminist groups continue to ignore the historical and continuous contributions of racism and structural oppression against marginalized communities. Racism contributed to the wealth gap, which significantly impacts feminist issues. Disheartening to say the least that they remain complicit and dismissive of marginalized people and communities. What will it take to bridge the gaps in solidarity and inequality?

"What I do have is a deep desire to move the conversation about solidarity and the feminist movement in a direction that recognizes that an intersectional approach to feminism is key to improving relationships between communities of women, so that some measure of true solidarity can happen".

AWESOME

I usually don't listen to ebooks but this was great and so many things to highlight. definitely getting the physical book

Required Reading

This a required reading she has a amazing voice sounds like Michelle Obama I like this Book

are you a true feminist?

if you call yourself a feminist, please read this book. especially if you are a white, cis woman. (p.s. I am a white, cis woman)

Amazing Book on Feminism

This book should be required reading for young ladies and women everywhere!! It holds up a mirror to the Feminist movement!