Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot

Published in 2020, Hood Feminism: Notes on the Women That a Movement Forgot is a nonfiction work by cultural critic and writer Mikki Kendall, whose Twitter hashtag #SolidarityIsForWhiteWomen sparked an ongoing conversation about the need for an intersectional feminism. Over the course of an Introduction and 18 chapters, Kendall engages in feminist critique that centers the experiences of Black women concerning issues such as reproductive justice, poverty, and the patriarchy. This guide is based on the 2020 Viking print edition.

Summary

In the Introduction, Kendall uses autobiography and Black feminist theory to explain that feminism has long marginalized the experiences of Black women, particularly ones from under-resourced communities (i.e., the “hood”). If feminism is to remain relevant, it must become intersectional by paying attention to these women, their needs, and the particularities of their experiences.

In Chapter 1, “Solidarity Is Still for White Women,” Kendall observes that contemporary feminism has lost its legitimacy because it only serves the interests of affluent, middle-class, and professional White women. To retain the relevancy of the movement, White feminists need to learn to be good allies to other women.

In Chapter 2, “Gun Violence,” Kendall argues that gun violence is a feminist issue because it has a disproportionate impact on Black women and girls.