Unveiling the Social Class Lens in ‘Hood Feminism’ by Mikki Kendall: A Riveting Call for Solidarity

In a world divided by countless identities, perhaps one of the most understated, yet profoundly influential, is social class. And no text captures the essence of this unspoken barrier quite like Mikki Kendall’s groundbreaking book, Hood Feminism. In a striking call to action, Kendall unveils the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities, challenging our preconceived notions of feminism’s exclusivity. Through a powerful lens focused on social class, the author uncovers the intricate intersections of race, gender, and wealth—a stirring reminder that the fight for equality cannot be won without addressing the disparities rooted in economic inequality. Join us as we embark on a transformative journey, stepping into the gritty neighborhoods and examining the unseen consequences of social class, its unmatchable influence, and the imperative need for intersectional feminism.

Social class refers to a hierarchical system in society that categorizes individuals or groups based on their economic status, occupation, education, and social power. It is a way of classifying and stratifying people into different levels or classes. Social class often determines a person’s access to resources, opportunities, and privileges in society. It can affect various aspects of life such as income, education, healthcare, housing, and overall quality of life. Social class is often associated with social mobility, where individuals can move up or down the social ladder depending on their socio-economic circumstances.

Social class is important to us because it plays a significant role in shaping our opportunities, lifestyle, and overall well-being. Here are a few reasons why social class is important:

1. Economic opportunities: Social class determines the financial resources available to individuals and affects their ability to access quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Higher social classes often have greater financial resources and more opportunities for upward mobility.

2. Social mobility: Social class influences the chances of upward or downward mobility within society. It determines the social networks, connections, and resources that individuals can utilize to improve their circumstances. It also impacts an individual’s access to scholarships, internships, and other opportunities for personal growth.

3. Power and influence: Social class often correlates with political power, access to decision-making processes, and influence over public policy. Those in higher social classes tend to have more voice and agency in shaping societal structures and institutions.

4. Lifestyle and social interactions: Social class can impact the quality of life and the type of social interactions one has. Membership in a particular social class often dictates the norms, values, and culture that individuals engage with. Lifestyle choices, consumption habits, and leisure activities can also differ significantly between social classes.

5. Health and well-being: Social class affects access to healthcare facilities, quality medical services, and health-related knowledge. Individuals from higher social classes tend to have better health outcomes, live longer lives, and have access to better healthcare resources compared to those in lower social classes.

6. Social identity and self-esteem: Social class can influence how individuals perceive themselves and how others perceive them. It can shape one’s social identity, self-esteem, and sense of belonging to a specific group or community.

7. Inequality and social justice: The study of social class helps us understand inequalities that exist within society. Recognizing and addressing these inequalities is crucial for promoting social justice and creating a more equitable society.

Overall, social class is an important concept as it influences various aspects of our lives, including our economic opportunities, social interactions, well-being, and the broader distribution of power and resources within society.

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot” by Mikki Kendall is a thought-provoking and urgent book that explores the limitations of mainstream feminism and highlights the necessity of addressing the specific needs and struggles faced by women of color, particularly those from marginalized communities. Kendall argues that the feminist movement often prioritizes the concerns of white, middle-class women, neglecting the issues that affect women in poverty, who face racism, violence, and economic injustice on a daily basis.

The book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of feminist discourse and its pitfalls. Kendall covers a range of topics, including reproductive justice, education, food insecurity, law enforcement, and cultural representation, among others. Through personal anecdotes, historical context, and statistical evidence, she demonstrates how these issues disproportionately affect women of color and how they are often left out of mainstream feminist discussions.

Kendall emphasizes the importance of intersectionality, understanding that women’s experiences are shaped by multiple identities such as race, class, sexuality, and disability. She argues that an inclusive feminism that addresses the needs of all women is essential for creating meaningful change and progress. Kendall also addresses the concept of allyship, urging readers to move beyond performative activism and actively engage in challenging the systems that perpetuate inequality.

“Hood Feminism” aims to disrupt mainstream feminist narratives and calls for a more inclusive movement that centers the voices and experiences of marginalized women. Kendall’s powerful and accessible writing challenges readers to examine their own biases, privileges, and blind spots, and encourages them to join the fight for intersectional feminism that uplifts and empowers all women.

In the book “Hood Feminism” by Mikki Kendall, the author discusses various social class methods related to feminism and activism. Here are some of the methods mentioned in the book:

1. Intersectionality: The recognition that people’s experiences of oppression are shaped by multiple factors, including race, gender, class, and more. Intersectionality emphasizes the need to address these interlocking systems of oppression to achieve true social justice.

2. Centering the Marginalized: The idea that feminism should prioritize and uplift the voices and experiences of those who are most marginalized within society, rather than focusing solely on issues that primarily affect more privileged groups.

3. Economic Justice: Recognizing the significant impact that economic inequality has on marginalized communities, advocating for policies and actions to address this imbalance, such as advocating for a living wage, equal pay, affordable housing, and better job opportunities.

4. Access to Education: Addressing inequality in education by advocating for reforms that ensure all individuals, regardless of social class, have access to quality education, and actively working to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.

5. Healthcare Equity: Recognizing that marginalized communities often face limited access to healthcare, advocating for affordable healthcare options, reproductive justice, mental health support, and comprehensive sex education.

6. Food Justice: Recognizing the prevalence of food insecurity and lack of access to healthy food in marginalized communities, advocating for policies that address these issues, such as improving food assistance programs, promoting urban farming, and supporting local businesses.

7. Housing Justice: Addressing the systemic issues that lead to homelessness, advocating for affordable housing, fighting against gentrification, advocating for tenant rights, and addressing the racial and economic disparities in housing.

8. Criminal Justice Reform: Recognizing the over-policing and unjust treatment of marginalized communities, advocating for reform within the criminal justice system, such as reducing mass incarceration, addressing racial biases in policing, and supporting prisoner rights.

These are just some of the social class methods mentioned in “Hood Feminism.” The book covers many more topics and emphasizes the importance of addressing the intersectionality of various issues to achieve true equality.

Hood Feminism quotes as follows:

1. “Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That A Movement Forgot” by Mikki Kendall

In this provocative and thought-provoking book, Mikki Kendall challenges traditional Feminism by highlighting the experiences of marginalized women. Hood Feminism explores the interconnectedness of race, class, and gender, providing an urgent call to action for a more inclusive feminist movement.

2. Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell

Although not directly related to feminism, Outliers provides valuable insights into the complexities of inequality and systemic injustices. With powerful anecdotes and data-driven analysis, Gladwell uncovers the factors that contribute to success or hinder social progress, encouraging readers to critically examine their assumptions about success and the structures that influence it.

3. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America” by Barbara Ehrenreich

Drawing on her own experiences, Barbara Ehrenreich delves into the struggles faced by low-wage workers in America. Through her immersive undercover journalism, Ehrenreich exposes the harsh realities of poverty, revealing the systemic issues that perpetuate inequality. Nickel and Dimed serves as a poignant reminder of the intersectionality between class, race, and feminism.

4. Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life” by William Deresiewicz

While exploring the flaws within the American education system, Excellent Sheep touches upon issues of privilege and inequality. Deresiewicz highlights the consequences of a hyper-competitive environment, urging a renewed focus on personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and civic responsibility. This book prompts readers to reflect on their own values and the role education plays in perpetuating or dismantling systemic injustices.

5. “Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches” by Audre Lorde

A timeless collection of essays and speeches by Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider delves into the intersections of race, identity, and feminism. Lorde’s powerful words challenge conventional notions of feminism and advocate for solidarity across social, economic, and racial divides. Her works serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of inclusivity, empathy, and empowerment within feminist discourses.

These five books, including Mikki Kendall’s Hood Feminism, offer diverse perspectives on social justice, inequality, and feminism. They collectively shed light on the interconnectedness of race, class, and gender, encouraging readers to critically analyze power dynamics and take a proactive role in combating systemic injustices.