This past weekend, I finished reading Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall. The book makes many valid points. In this post, I will share some of my favorite quotes as well as my critique of Mikki Kendall’s Hood Feminism.
In Hood Feminism, Mikki Kendall argues that feminism, as the world knows it or White women’s feminism, neglects to acknowledge and advocate for women of all backgrounds, ethnic and socioeconomic. Each chapter is dedicated to an issue that traditional feminism neglects, such as hunger, housing, and parenting. Kendall’s analysis of these systemic issues is very thorough and succinct. The points made are beyond valid and need to be discussed.
My Favorite Quotes
“Even the most “positive” tropes about women of color are harmful precisely because they dehumanize us and erase the damage that can be done to us by those who might mean well, but whose actions show that they don’t actually respects us or our right to self-determine what happens on our behalf” (16)
Black women and the greater society have a somewhat clear idea of the dominant representations that exist about Black women. Black women are portrayed as loud, ghetto, and mean. On the other side of this coin, Black women embrace our strength and honor the “strong Black woman” trope. This stereotype is known to have detrimental effects because it does not allow Black women to be vulnerable and have a wider range of emotions. Melissa Hill-Perry argues in Sister Citizen, the strong myth leaves Black women sicker, less satisfied, and more burdened than any other group. We perceive this stereotype to be positive but, as Mikki Kendall says, it dehumanizes us. I appreciate that she acknowledges this because the research is there to support it. Later in Hood Feminism, Kendall acknowledges that the acceptance of descriptors such as strong are generational defense mechanisms to discrimination. I had never previously considered this but it makes so much sense because Black people have to definitely shield ourselves from the harsh realities of the world.
“… it’s about the internalized racism and anti-Blackness that permeates our culture, making light of that dangerous ideology normalizes the violence against marginalized communities (351)
I think this quote truly resonates right now. Following the numerous police-caused deaths of Black men and women, many businesses and companies are going over and beyond to show that Black lives matter. Individuals do not want to lose the Black dollar or be “cancelled” and called a Karen. These performative acts of solidarity are making light of the violence against marginalized communities. We are being blatantly ignored when people are in the streets asking for police reform and the eradication of systemic and institutional racism but instead are given the discount code ‘BLM’ to use on our next purchase. In White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo illustrates that Whiteness is constructed through Blackness. This country’s systems and beliefs are rooted in anti-Blackness ideology to preserve Whiteness. The lack of social awareness that many White people have shown over the last few months is proof that no one wants to subscribe to nor acknowledge the ways this country is complicit in anti-Blackness.
Honest Opinion
This book is much needed. It has been on the list of many anti-racist reading list, including my own. My only true gripe with this book is the title. I believe the term ‘hood’ has been co-opted. ‘Hood’ as the world knows it, insinuates the ghetto, even more so, predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods. Mikki Kendall uses hood because that is where she is from. The connection to the hood seemed too weak for it to be a part of the title.
This book was written for White women readers. Women of color readers can sympathize with the text. They can see themselves within the stories and statistics that Kendall shares. Some WOC might also be ignorant to the points made because of their socioeconomic status. Kendall’s analysis of class is needed but could be understand without the use of ‘hood’.
You can get your copy of Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall below.
