The Women Forgotten by the Movement

By Naomi Diaz

One of the great things about America is how scarily diverse the citizens are on the aspects of race, ethnicity, gender, religions, cultures, and so much more. It’s just so great… right?

Unfortunately, in America, simple and quite beautiful things that make us unique are a double-edged sword. They simultaneously have the ability to determine our likelihood to life, Liberty, and pursuit of happiness as “promised” to us in our Constitution. (Ahem, and by “us,” I mean men.)

Although our differences can act as separators, further widening the gap from unison, it is of great importance that we acknowledge them so we can understand each other, and one of the many gateways that will lead Americans on the right path of enlightenment is feminism.

As we know, to be a woman in America is no easy task. Socioeconomic and prejudice setbacks have always piled more & more weight onto the backs of women since the founding of our country. When thrown into the melting pot, the ugly and quite disgusting goop of systemic misogyny is what you’re bound to receive.

Although beautiful, the problem is that modern-day feminism has never really included all women, as we’ve been repeatedly promised (and by “we,” I mean women of color).

To be in America is to walk upon the land of the free(ish). The incorporation of feminism into society sent the country on a humongous and much needed 360 degree flip. It was great, don’t get me wrong! On the earliest come-ups of reform, however, what was harmful about the movement was the intentional exclusion of women of color.

This is an issue that should be concerning everyone, and ‘Hood Feminism’ never fails to raise the commotion. Written by activist Mikki Kendall, the novel highlights the urgent flaws found in today’s feminist movement. Modern feminism’s most “potent and electrifying critique,” has volumes packed into the margins that makes it almost impossible to ignore.

A memoir to the many women of color that have

design by Rylee Pearlman

been ignored in the past, this book reminds us that we truly are not alone. It brings to light issues including gun violence, poverty, and homelessness while also acknowledging the aspects of human life often taken for granted like healthcare, safe neighborhoods, relationships, food supply, and education, and demonstrates how they leave their stinging marks on the community.

This novel is the much-needed wake-up-call that anyone with a brain could benefit from and shares hidden jewels that can apply to almost anyone, not just women.

Hood Feminism, however, is quite the heavy read. As Kendall writes in the beginning, “That’s the point of this book. It’s not going to be a comfortable read, but it is going to be an opportunity to learn for those willing to do the hard work” (xvii).

This novel encourages the readers to liberate themselves from the sidelines, leaving the toxicity of the bystanding mindset. The work then enters the playing field. Remaining open-minded and willing your ego to accept the jabs of criticism is honestly no easy task, but it all takes time. Understand that Kendall ain’t asking y’all to be perfect either -- nobody is.

Kendall’s goal is achieved once readers begin to feel critiqued and they are hit with a tsunami of realization. Allow yourself to express vulnerability; don’t be afraid to be wrong or ask questions. It’s okay to be absolutely lost, as long as you are determined to find the right path.