*Specifically addressing p.73-74* In this essay, Mikki Kendall explores the expected role of Black Women in the home and how that submissive identity has been shaped over the decades. I found it to be a ripple effect stemming from high rates of incarceration of black men - creating a “pick me” culture (paraphrasing from p. 74) that has shaped and molded this identity and expectation that black women are to “offer to work, take care of all household duties, to be submissive...the list is more than any two women could reasonably be expected to do.” What I summarized that as is the competition for men has become so fierce that women are essentially sacrificing their identities, their sense of self, in order to fit the “perfect mold” of what a partner is expected to be in order be the one that is chosen. All of this stemming from astonishingly high incarceration rates of black men. So then - is part of the solution prison reform? The incarceration rates have far more reaching effects than this, of course, but does our work begin with demanding change there? Where do we begin? How do we start the fight for regaining the individual identities of women of color? I am curious to know your thoughts on this subject...because it riled me right up reading this and it was like a lightbulb clicking on. Especially when discussing feminism, especially inclusive feminism, identity and a sense of self should be at the top of our radar. How do we begin to tackle all other areas of need if women of color first can’t control their own identities???

“We have to shift the focus on anti-rape narratives away from what victims can do to prevent it and toward teaching people not to be predators in the first place.” (P. 66 - Of #fasttailedgirls and freedom) ***may be triggering for victims of sexual assault - I am discussing rape culture at length*** This essay and this section stood out to me while reading the first half of Hood Feminism. The media, in recent years, has shone a huge blaring spotlight on rape culture - and while I do believe this topic is tremendously important to educate ourselves on and begin real change in altering, it is not always handled well by either the media, our varying cultures, or law enforcement. I remember having a three hour conversation with my husband on the way to LA once about rape culture and the percentage - or rather lack of percentage - of women that actually file a report after being sexually assaulted. To endure such trauma and then, basically endure it again during the rape kit process, then again during the interrogation, is unbearable. And then when we specifically look at the data for women of color it becomes even more harrowing. Not only are women of color more likely to be victims of sexual assault they’re even less likely to report it - and how can you blame them?! This topic is something I feel very passionately about and would love to discuss real steps we can take in healing this gaping wound that seems to only get worse as the years go on and media grows. The quote I stated at the start of this post I think is very appropriate as a jumping off point for next steps - what do you think? How do we begin to educate and shape the youth to not become predators in the first place?

In the town of St. Hilaire, most make their living by talking to the dead. In the summer, the town gates open to tourists seeking answers while all activity is controlled by The Guild, a sinister ruling body that sees everything. Dec Hampton has lived there his entire life, but ever since his parents died, he's been done with it. He knows he has to leave before anyone has a chance to stop him. His best friend Russ won't be surprised when Dec leaves―but he will be heartbroken. Russ is a good medium, maybe even a great one. He's made sacrifices for his gift and will do whatever he can to gain entry to The Guild, even embracing dark forces and contacting the most elusive ghost in town. But when the train of Annie Krylova, the piano prodigy whose music has been Dec's main source of solace, breaks down outside of town, it sets off an unexpected chain of events. And in St. Hilaire, there are no such things as coincidences. Reading Date: Month of October 2020