Hood Feminism

Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgot

By: Mikki Kendall

Narrated by: Mikki Kendall

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

Bloomsbury presents Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall, read by Mikki Kendall.

I'm a feminist. Mostly. 

I'm an asshole. Mostly.

All too often the focus of mainstream feminism is not on basic survival for the many, but on increasing privilege for the few.

Meeting basic needs is a feminist issue. Food insecurity, the living wage and access to education are feminist issues. The fight against racism, ableism and transmisogyny are all feminist issues.

White feminists often fail to see how race, class, sexual orientation and disability intersect with gender. How can feminists stand in solidarity as a movement when there is a distinct likelihood that some women are oppressing others?

Insightful, incendiary and ultimately hopeful, Hood Feminism is both an irrefutable indictment of a movement in flux and also clear-eyed assessment of how to save it.

©2020 Mikki Kendall (P)2020 Penguin Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"Required reading for any feminist, Kendall explores why mainstream feminism neglects to see how race, class, sexual orientation and disability intersects with gender with a clear-eyed assessment of how to fix it." (Evening Standard, The Best Books to Look Forward To in 2020)

"My wish is that every white woman who calls herself a feminist (as I do) will read this book in a state of hushed and humble respect. It’s long overdue that we drop our defenses, listen to her arguments carefully, and then change our entire way of thinking and behaving. Essential reading." (Elizabeth Gilbert)

"In Hood Feminism, author and activist Mikki Kendall looks at how feminism is neglecting marginalised communities, and what can be done to challenge and confront those inequalities from within the feminist movement." (Stylist, The 29 Best Non-Fiction Books Out in 2020)

Thought Provoking

Amazing. Thought provoking. Important. Everyone needs to read this book. White Feminist should read. Important

Stunning

what a brilliant read. so well informed and put together. Cannot recommend enough as a must read!

Very American.

Content was great. Wish I knew that this was just about the USA before reading though - as someone who isn’t American, doesn’t plan on visiting America and doesn’t know any Americans. I would like to read more about this topic in other countries.

Amazing

One of the best books I have ever heard on audible or in every capacity. Her words are ever so powerful but blooming relatable even as a white autistic women with trauma living poverty I could relate and you know what? I felt understood. Inspiring read. Inspiring human. I could not recommend this enough to anyone especially activists.

A must read!

This is not for those who do not enjoy introspection. This text forces you to confront your personal ideologies, preconceptions, and privileges, it demands you to consider those below you in every inch of decision making and when taking up the mantle of being a feminist. Whilst also reminding those privileged enough to see feminism as a political social choice that the women society chose to forgot saved themselves and will continue to meet their needs and do not need pity or a hand out. These women need to be centred, remembered and fought with, their needs need to be considered feminist needs, they need to be advocated and given the tools to build their communities. They need to be given the space to have an uncensored voice and this book is just the start. Thank you Mikki Kendall!

Packs a punch!

The author's unapologetic stance reminded me of the last verse in Nina Simone's Four Women. Nikki's manner is tough and challenges feminists to broaden 'feminist' issues that blight non-white. Some of the themes raised here I was already introduced to in Reni Eddo-Lodge's book. This book is American orientated but I believe the themes are felt in other areas for minority groups.

Definitely strengthen awareness

I like my feminist books to quote more studies, but showing personal perspective of someone from a different background is also valuable.
It definitely helped me grasp the concept of intersectional feminism.
Is it the salvation for feminists around the world? I still don't know, as it applies specifically to American issues. As a European from more monolithic society, I couldn't relate to many situations. But every country has people less and more privileged, so there is a lesson to be learned.

My only issue with content was those jabs towards different types of feminism. There is some internal beef that is really not looking good for the outside.

Regarding audio quality, many words were not articulated carefully enough. Higher speed made them blurred and hard to understand.

Everyone should read this.

This book was a huge eye opening experience, I had no idea of the scale of racism, suppression and discrimination black people in poor areas of the US face, it's been a heartbreaking realisation. If you are naïve or ignorant as I am please read this book.

O Mikki, You So Fine, You So Fine You Blow My Mind

In this slender volume, you will learn everything that you need to know about intersuctional feminism. Mikki draws heavily upon the works of the four pioneering black feminists Camille Paglia, Andrea Dworkin, Elizabeth Warren and Omarosa Magnicault, to make a valuable and important contribution to this valuable and important field of study.

The text is read by the author in a rich, chocolatey voice, which makes it easier to sleep through.

Absolute must read

Deep analysis of all aspects of life touched by feminism, with a strong highlight on black and brown communities who are always at a disadvantage.
I had to slow the pace because listening to this book in English was quite overwhelming given the topic and how much information is offered per chapter.
Great book

Challenging but important read.

This is a challenging but important read, which makes no apologies for how uncomfortable it may make some readers. It highlights how middle class white feminists have often (at best) failed to consider issues of race, homophobia, transphobia, class and poverty, and how the feminist movement needs to do better and challenge its own biases if it really wants to fight for the rights of all women.

Important

Powerful read x hard to listen to at times but most important to understand and process x