Review: Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Goodreads

“There’s nothing feminist about having so many resources at your fingertips and choosing to be ignorant. Nothing empowering or enlightening in deciding that intent trumps impact. Especially when the consequences aren’t going to be experienced by you, but will instead be experienced by someone from a marginalized community.”

Release Date: March 3rd 2020

Genre(s): Non-fiction, Feminism

Publisher: Viking

Pages: 288

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

Hood Feminism is about the many issues covered under feminism that are rarely prioritized or even discussed. It discusses the lack of intersectionality in much of the mainstream feminist movement and how the lack of inclusion within the movement impacts marginalized groups. Mikki Kendall combines research with her own personal history and experiences, sharing the issues she faced throughout her life and how underlooked they are within the feminist movement. This book brings those issues to light and illustrates the importance of solidarity within in order for the feminist movement to positively impact the people the movement fights for. 

Review

Hood Feminism is a book I’d easily put on my list of essential reads, especially if you consider yourself a feminist or are learning more about feminism. From the first chapter, there were so many impactful and insightful quotes and messages shared regarding the feminist movement as a whole and where we can strive to do better. This continues throughout the novel, where Kendall discusses her experiences with subjects that don’t get the attention within the movement that they deserve, and how to change that.

The subject matter of Hood Feminism can be described in one word – insightful. Kendall discusses experiences that are unfamiliar to so many people, as well as the misconceptions around marginalized groups. Much of her recollections are from her childhood in Chicago and how her life in her neighborhood shaped her. She also talks about her life in public housing as a single mother, with things we take for granted like clean, drinkable water, unavailable to her. She also discusses the systems set in place that impacted her during these times, and how systems set in place to help had a much different intent from actually providing help.

Kendall also provides research regarding these topics and how marginalized groups as a whole are impacted by these issues. Again, the things that many people often take for granted are discussed in these sections and are never discussed at the forefront of the feminist movement despite its impacts.

There were many times where I had to put down Hood Feminism for a moment to process my anger. To process how so many basic needs are inaccessible for so many people, and how biases against marginalized groups continue to make getting access to these resources difficult. There are also so many shocking and disturbing topics covered in this book; things that I did not realize that were going on in my country. To hear that as recently as 2010 that California prisons were forcing the sterilization of women of color is beyond words to me. And so much of the country is so unaware of things like this, which is why reading books like Hood Feminism is essential to understanding and taking action on causes like these. So many people are blind to the idea that marginalized groups exist and are impacted this way, but this book provides so many detailed examples of it and why ideas like ‘colorblindness’ and other dismissals are so harmful. And with this knowledge in hand, Mikki Kendall shows us how to take action. By pointing out the obstacles she and others face, she shows a roadmap of where these barriers are and what can be done to stop them. 

Again, Hood Feminism is a book that I consider an essential read, especially if you consider yourself a feminist. It covers what feminism should be bringing to the world’s attention, but doesn’t. And it demonstrates how intersectionality is essential to our discussions around feminism. Because without it, there are so many people that become left behind within the feminist movement.