Introduction
Mikki Kendall's "Hood Feminism" is a powerful critique of mainstream feminism and a call to action for a more inclusive movement that addresses the needs of all women, particularly those who have been marginalized and forgotten. Through personal anecdotes, cultural analysis, and sharp insights, Kendall exposes the blind spots of contemporary feminism and argues for a broader, more intersectional approach that tackles issues like poverty, food insecurity, and access to education alongside more traditional feminist concerns.
The book challenges readers to reconsider what feminism means and who it serves. Kendall argues that for too long, the feminist movement has focused primarily on the concerns of middle-class white women while ignoring or minimizing the struggles faced by women of color, poor women, and other marginalized groups. By broadening the scope of feminist issues and centering the experiences of those who have been left behind, Kendall presents a vision for a more inclusive and effective feminism that truly fights for equality for all women.
The Limitations of Mainstream Feminism
Kendall begins by reflecting on her grandmother's life and the disconnect between her experiences and those of mainstream feminists. Born in 1924, Kendall's grandmother worked hard throughout her life, first to earn money and later as a homemaker. While she insisted on education for her daughters and embodied many feminist ideals, she wouldn't have called herself a feminist.
This disconnect highlights a key problem with mainstream feminism: it has often relied on the labor of women like Kendall's grandmother without truly representing their interests or experiences. The movement has frequently focused on issues relevant to privileged white women while overlooking the concerns of women of color and working-class women.
For example, while reproductive rights are usually on the feminist agenda, broader healthcare access often isn't. The same goes for education and even basic food security. There's a fundamental lack of understanding of what life is like for women who aren't privileged.
Kendall uses the example of Patricia Arquette's 2015 Oscar acceptance speech to illustrate this point. While calling for equal pay for women, Arquette asked for support from "all the gay people and people of color that we've all fought for" – as if their rights were already assured. This moment exemplifies how white feminism often expects solidarity to flow in only one direction, without recognizing the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized groups.
The Reality of Poverty
One of the most significant blind spots in mainstream feminism is its failure to adequately address poverty and its impact on women's lives. Kendall points out that around 42 million Americans suffer from hunger regularly, with over 70 percent of those living below the poverty line being women and children. This means millions of women and children deal with food insecurity every day.
Kendall shares her own experience of struggling to feed herself and her child while studying for her college degree. While she made it through and now lives comfortably, she doesn't view this as an inspirational story of overcoming the odds. Instead, she recalls the hunger and hardship she endured, emphasizing how poverty affects you for life.
The author argues that some supposedly progressive policies actually make life harder for those already struggling. For example, soda taxes, which exist in various US cities, are intended to combat unhealthy diets. However, for many families living in poverty, soda may be the least-bad affordable option, especially in areas where water isn't safe to drink or other affordable drinks have been found to contain contaminants.
Housing is another issue where women of color often lose out. As white women move to less-desirable areas due to the gender pay gap, they can contribute to gentrification, forcing people of color out of once-affordable neighborhoods. This illustrates how policies that benefit white women don't necessarily help all women.
Kendall emphasizes that poverty forces people to focus on survival – keeping the electricity on and feeding their families – rather than long-term goals like buying a house or shopping for organic food. Women in these situations still deserve support from feminists and policymakers, but their needs are often overlooked by mainstream feminist discourse.
The Challenges Faced by Black Girls
Kendall delves into the specific challenges faced by Black girls growing up in poverty, highlighting how they are often denied the support they need. She recounts being called a "fast-tailed girl" before she even understood what it meant, only knowing it was considered bad.
The term "fast" is often applied to Black girls long before they've had a chance to be sexually precocious. It might be used simply for talking to boys, wearing makeup, or even experiencing early puberty. This labeling can have serious consequences, as it can lead to victim-blaming if a girl experiences sexual assault.
The author points out the alarming statistic that between 40 and 60 percent of Black girls in the US suffer sexual abuse before they turn 18. Despite this, there's often inadequate support for these girls after they reveal abuse. Many government programs focus on preventing teen pregnancy or developing professional skills, but far too little is done to help girls cope with the traumatic situations they face.
Schools, which should be safe spaces for Black girls, often fail to provide the necessary support. Teachers are not immune to bias, and Black and Latinx students are particularly likely to face unfair treatment. School punishments can escalate quickly from detention or suspension to criminal charges, especially with the increasing presence of police officers in schools.
Kendall argues that the placement of police in schools doesn't necessarily make them safer, but it does increase the chance of students getting criminal records. Black students, in particular, face a higher risk of experiencing brutality from school officers, as evidenced by video footage from several US cities showing officers body-slamming Black girls.
This section of the book highlights how society is failing young women of color on multiple fronts, from the way they're perceived and labeled to the lack of support and protection they receive in educational settings.
Body Image and Beauty Standards
Kendall explores how body image issues affect Black girls in particular, sharing her own experiences with family members trying to "fix" her appearance from a young age. She recounts how an aunt attempted to use a lye relaxer on her hair when she was just three years old, leaving her with burns and tears.
The author discusses the complex issue of colorism, where the same skin tone might lead to privilege in one community and oppression in another. Dark-skinned individuals face particular discrimination, from worse career prospects to higher arrest rates and longer prison sentences. This societal pressure has led to the popularity of dangerous skin-bleaching creams.
While feminism does address beauty culture, it often focuses on the male gaze rather than the specific challenges faced by Black women. Similarly, discussions about eating disorders tend to assume that they primarily affect white women, overlooking the fact that girls of color grow up in a society that constantly tells them white women are the ideal.
Kendall shares her own struggle with an eating disorder that started in high school and continues to affect her today. She points out that eating disorders in girls of color often go unnoticed or untreated, especially if they're related to issues like post-traumatic stress disorder.
The persistent "strong Black woman" stereotype contributes to the overlooking of Black girls' vulnerabilities. Kendall argues that feminism has a responsibility to better understand and address how these issues truly affect women and girls of color.
Parenting and Reproductive Rights
Kendall illustrates how debates around parenting and reproductive rights look very different from the perspective of women living in disadvantaged communities. She shares a personal story of her uncle coming to her family home with a gun when she was eight, attempting to intimidate her aunt over a debt. This experience shaped her understanding of what basic safety and security really mean as a parent.
The author emphasizes that when money is short, parenting becomes especially challenging. What might look like neglect to an outsider is often the result of impossible choices forced by poverty. Kendall argues that it's a privilege to be able to engage in debates about organic food or boycotting certain stores – concerns that often preoccupy white feminists but are far removed from the realities of many women of color.
Reproductive rights, a cornerstone feminist issue, are also complicated by matters of race. Kendall shares her own experience of having a life-saving abortion and the subsequent abuse she received from pro-life campaigners. She notes that even pro-choice white feminists often failed to understand the additional risks she faced as a Black woman speaking out on this issue.
The author points out that reproductive rights encompass more than just abortion. In the US, Black women's risk of dying during pregnancy is 243 percent higher than white women's. There's also the disturbing history of forced sterilizations in the US, which disproportionately affected women of color and incarcerated women.
Kendall argues that these issues, which tend to affect those who have the least, desperately need the support of privileged feminists. By broadening the feminist agenda to include these concerns, the movement can become more inclusive and effective in supporting all women.
Policing and Law Enforcement
Kendall challenges the concept of carceral feminism, which relies primarily on the police and justice system to address issues of sexual and gendered violence. She argues that this approach, while reassuring to white feminists, often fails women of color and can even lead to further trauma.
The author points out that involving law enforcement doesn't always help matters and can sometimes make situations worse, especially for women of color. Even in what's considered the best-case outcome – an abusive partner being jailed – the victim may find herself facing new challenges, such as loss of income and potential poverty.
Kendall highlights the risks faced by women who defend themselves against abuse, using the example of CeCe McDonald, a trans woman who was imprisoned for manslaughter after defending herself against an attacker. This case illustrates how the justice system can fail to protect vulnerable women, particularly those from marginalized communities.
The author also draws attention to the alarming statistics regarding murders and disappearances of women of color. Black Americans account for a disproportionate number of missing persons cases, while indigenous women face even higher rates of violence and murder. These cases often receive less attention from law enforcement and media, leading families to rely on social media appeals to find their loved ones.
Kendall argues that carceral feminism is not enough to address these issues. She calls for real feminist solidarity that transcends racial boundaries, emphasizing the need for communities of women to support each other in the face of systemic failures.
Women in Power and Their Impact
Kendall addresses the uncomfortable truth that some white women, even those who have risen to positions of power partly due to feminist advances, have used their platforms to argue for conservative causes that ultimately hurt women.
She challenges the assumption that having a woman in a position of power is automatically good for all women. Using examples like Sheryl Sandberg supporting Facebook's position on the alt-right, Phyllis Schlafly campaigning against the Equal Rights Amendment, and Megyn Kelly's controversial statements on race, Kendall illustrates how women in power can sometimes work against the interests of other women, particularly those from marginalized communities.
The author also discusses the importance of voting rights, pointing out that while white American women gained the right to vote in 1920, lawmakers today are still working to suppress the vote, especially for people of color. She argues that ensuring voting rights for everyone should be a key feminist issue, as it directly impacts women's ability to have a say in policies that affect their lives.
Beyond Allyship: Becoming an Accomplice
In the final sections of the book, Kendall calls for a more active and engaged form of solidarity. She argues that simply identifying as an "ally" is not enough and can sometimes become a convenient way to express support without taking meaningful action.
Instead, Kendall advocates for becoming an "accomplice" – someone committed to action rather than just words. Accomplice feminists, she explains, challenge white supremacy wherever they encounter it and stand up for marginalized communities even when they don't have a direct stake in those communities themselves.
The author acknowledges that being an accomplice isn't easy. It requires a willingness to confront one's own biases and to listen to and amplify the voices of those who have been marginalized. It also means avoiding the trap of "saviorism," where privileged individuals attempt to solve problems without truly understanding or respecting the communities they're trying to help.
Kendall calls for a reassessment of feminism, arguing that it has long been dominated by privileged voices and has often been inaccessible or irrelevant to women struggling with day-to-day survival. She points out that feminism's accomplishments have always depended on the support of carers, cleaners, and countless other women who have seldom received respect from the movement.
Conclusion
"Hood Feminism" is a powerful call to action for a more inclusive and effective feminist movement. Mikki Kendall challenges readers to broaden their understanding of what constitutes feminist issues and to center the experiences of women who have been marginalized and forgotten by mainstream feminism.
Throughout the book, Kendall weaves personal anecdotes with cultural analysis and hard-hitting statistics to illustrate the ways in which current feminist discourse often fails to address the real-life challenges faced by women of color, poor women, and other disadvantaged groups. From food insecurity and inadequate healthcare to the specific challenges faced by Black girls growing up in poverty, Kendall shines a light on issues that are often overlooked in feminist discussions.
The author doesn't just critique; she also offers a vision for a more inclusive feminism. She calls for a movement that tackles issues like poverty, education, and access to healthcare alongside more traditional feminist concerns. She emphasizes the need for intersectionality in feminist thought and action, recognizing that women's experiences are shaped by multiple, overlapping factors including race, class, and sexuality.
Kendall's concept of moving from allyship to accomplice-ship is particularly powerful. She challenges readers to go beyond passive support and take active steps to challenge systems of oppression, even when it's uncomfortable or doesn't directly benefit them. This call to action is not just for white feminists, but for anyone who considers themselves a supporter of women's rights and equality.
The book also serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to and amplifying diverse voices within the feminist movement. Kendall argues that for too long, feminism has been defined by the experiences and priorities of middle-class white women. By broadening the conversation and centering the voices of those who have been marginalized, she believes we can create a more robust and effective movement that truly serves all women.
"Hood Feminism" is not an easy read. It challenges many long-held assumptions and forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about privilege, racism, and the limitations of current feminist discourse. However, it's precisely this discomfort that makes the book so valuable. By pushing readers out of their comfort zones, Kendall opens up space for genuine reflection and growth.
The book is a wake-up call for anyone who considers themselves a feminist. It asks us to examine our own biases, to broaden our understanding of what constitutes feminist issues, and to take concrete action to support women who have been left behind by the movement. It's a reminder that true equality can't be achieved by focusing only on the concerns of the most privileged women, but must address the systemic issues that keep many women trapped in cycles of poverty and oppression.
Ultimately, "Hood Feminism" is a passionate argument for a feminism that is truly intersectional, inclusive, and committed to fighting for the rights and wellbeing of all women. It's a call to action for a movement that recognizes the diversity of women's experiences and works tirelessly to address the complex, interconnected issues that affect women's lives.
As Kendall powerfully argues throughout the book, it's time for feminism to get angry – not just on behalf of middle-class white women, but on behalf of all women who face oppression and discrimination. It's time to become accomplices in the fight for true equality, to challenge systems of oppression wherever we encounter them, and to work towards a world where all women have the opportunity to thrive.
"Hood Feminism" is not just a critique of the current state of feminism – it's a roadmap for creating a more inclusive and effective movement. By addressing the blind spots in mainstream feminist discourse and centering the experiences of marginalized women, Kendall offers a vision for a feminism that is truly revolutionary in its scope and impact.
The book serves as both a challenge and an inspiration. It challenges readers to examine their own assumptions and biases, to broaden their understanding of feminist issues, and to take concrete action to support all women. At the same time, it inspires hope for a more inclusive and effective feminist movement – one that has the power to create real change in the lives of all women, not just the most privileged.
In the end, "Hood Feminism" is a powerful reminder that the fight for women's rights and equality is far from over. But by broadening our understanding of what that fight entails and who it should serve, we can create a movement that truly has the power to transform society. It's a call to action that no one who cares about equality and justice can afford to ignore.