Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

Book Review

This is such an important book. For those of you trying to do the work and further your antiracist education, I HIGHLY recommend this one.
⁣
⁣This book felt a bit like a cross between How to Be an Antiracist and The Moment of Lift, as it delves into the intersectionality of feminism and racism/classism. This book was incredibly eye-opening for me as I didn’t realize the extent to which the mainstream feminist movement has essentially left marginalized communities in the dust.
⁣
⁣The author, who grew up in poverty, draws on her own experiences as well as research to explain how basic needs like food security, safety from gun violence, affordable housing and access to adequate healthcare and education are feminist issues. She also makes the incredibly important point that those who exclude trans, queer and/or female-identifying women from their definition of feminism are NOT true feminists. And reminder that if you vote in favor of candidates that seek to take away or limit women’s rights, you are also not a true feminist.
⁣
⁣She also talks a lot about “respectability politics” and how the attempt to control society’s behavior and sway the general consensus of respectability (including things like hairstyle, accent and clothing) in favor of whiteness is incredibly harmful to BIPOC communities.
⁣
⁣The feminist movement should not be one that seeks to increase the privilege of few over ensuring the survival of many. Do yourself a favor and read this book!⁣
⁣
⁣⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

⁣Have you read this one? If so, what was your biggest takeaway??