I cannot think of a better book to read and discuss after witnessing the first Black and Asian American WOMAN inaugurated as our Vice President, than Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall. Yesterday was a monumental day for Black women and this book could not be more fitting. The feminist movement often excludes a huge population of women-Black women. The intersectionality of race and gender leaves Black women at the most risk and forces them into being some of the most marginalized group of people. Often, the feminist movement seeks to increase the privilege for the few, rather than focus on the basic human needs for the many. Kendall's book is a slap in the face of information that needs to be heard. Hood Feminism is written in essay format and each chapter is interwoven with Kendall's own life experiences, which add a rich context to her cause and drive the points home to the reader.
Mel's Thoughts:
Some of the chapters that stood out to me the most were: Hunger, Gun Violence, Of #fasttailedgirls and Freedom, Pretty for a...., Missing and Murdered, Fear and Feminism, Education, Reproductive Justice, Eugenics and Maternal Morality, and Parenting While Marginalized. I could have highlighted every word and felt like Kendall's message was loud and resounding. There is an issue and you cannot consider yourself a feminist if you do not stand up for the basic human rights of ALL women, regardless of race, color, class, occupation, sexual orientation, assigned gender, criminal history, education, etc. Reading her words felt like going to church. After every chapter I was shaking my head in agreement and wondering how something so obvious alludes so many white women, like myself.
Reading books like these always lights a fire under me and after I finish I reflect on how I can do better. In my opinion, there is no point of reading Hood Feminism , if it means you won't be taking the information to heart and using it to make a difference in the world. Messages that stood out to me that I know I can do more of an effort in helping with is helping increase access to food for women in need. My town has a small food bank and I plan on contacting them about volunteer opportunities as a good place to start, but that is only the beginning. The chapter of Hunger hit home with me and the resounding message that food is a basic need, thus a human right, that so many Black women are not given access to.
Buy this book, mark it up, and come back to it again and again. We can do better.
Rating:
4.5 stars
A must read for anyone for all women, especially those who consider themselves a feminist.
Favorite Quotes:
"For a movement that is meant to represent all women, it often centers on those who already have most of their needs met."
"We rarely talk about basic needs as a feminist issue."
Comments