The Block 6 reading will be “Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot” by Mikki Kendalls. Today’s feminist movement has a glaring blind spot, and paradoxically, it is women. Mainstream feminists rarely talk about meeting basic needs as a feminist issue, argues Mikki Kendall, but food insecurity, access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage, and medical care are all feminist issues. All too often, however, the focus is not on basic survival for the many, but on increasing privilege for the few. That feminists refuse to prioritize these issues has only exacerbated the age-old problem of both internecine discord and women who rebuff at carrying the title. Moreover, prominent white feminists broadly suffer from their own myopia with regard to how things like race, class, sexual orientation, and ability intersect with gender. How can we stand in solidarity as a movement, Kendall asks, when there is the distinct likelihood that some women are oppressing others?

In her searing collection of essays, Mikki Kendall takes aim at the legitimacy of the modern feminist movement, arguing that it has chronically failed to address the needs of all but a few women. Drawing on her own experiences with hunger, violence, and hypersexualization, along with incisive commentary on reproductive rights, politics, pop culture, the stigma of mental health, and more, Hood Feminism delivers an irrefutable indictment of a movement in flux. An unforgettable debut, Kendall has written a ferocious clarion call to all would-be feminists to live out the true mandate of the movement in thought and in deed.

All books are provided free of charge with your CC Gold Card, and are available for pick-up now at the CC Bookstore in the Yalich Student Services building. Be sure to fill out this registration form prior to pick-up.

Please be aware that this book contains sensitive content including racism and suicide.

The ABC is meant to be self-led and asynchronous. We encourage you to create space to discuss these books and their topics in the communities you already inhabit (e.g., department meetings, athletics teams, student clubs/organizations, etc.) and at your own pace. 

Happy reading!

Peony Fhagen
Senior Associate Dean of Equity, Inclusion, and Faculty Development

Rosalie Rodriguez
Senior Associate Dean of Students for Equity and Inclusion

Ersaleen Hope
AVP for Staff Equity and Inclusion