Bookishrealm's Reviews > Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot

Do you the know the word intersectionality? Do you know the definition? Because if you don't I need you to read this book and even if you think you know what it means READ THIS BOOK. It's so easy to classify yourself as a feminist BUT does your idea of feminism really address ALL women specifically BLACK women? Last year I was luck enough to receive a copy of Mikki Kendall's graphic novel which I still haven't had the opportunity to read; however, the moment I saw that she was coming out with this book I knew that it was one that I needed to devour quickly.

The information in Hood Feminism doesn't surprise me. You see, I'm a black woman. I know what it's like to watch non-Black individuals declare that they are feminist without truly considering the Black women that they are forgetting. Yet, it was interesting to learn the ways in which certain aspects of feminism directly forget the issues that affect Black women. It was well detailed and made me really think about the ways that a lot of movements have left out the narratives of certain groups.

Like a lot of non-fiction books that discuss race, this isn't an easy read. It will make a lot of individuals feel uncomfortable BUT that's the purpose. These are the conversations that need to happen. Race plays a huge part in everything related to the American system, but for some odd reason it's the one conversation that people are scared to have or they hide behind phrases like "we're a post-racial country" or "I'm color blind." These are the tough conversations we need to have in order to move forward.

Some of my favorite sections of this book included her discussion on the fetishization of being fierce, education, and (this was the best section) allies, anger, and accomplices. If you're looking for a short, but complex novel that looks at the feminist movement in terms of Black women I would recommend checking out this book.