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The Riot Grrrl Movement |
If
you have ever skimmed through a beauty magazine and felt ugly, you are not
alone. A psychological study done in 1995 discovered that three minutes of
looking at a fashion magazine caused 70 percent of women to feel guilty,
shameful, and depressed. Girls have it tough. They give into often-fatal
beauty myths, and by the time they reach college, one out of every four
will have an eating disorder. Teenage girls are expected to look perfect,
be proper and cater to men’s needs. True, women’s rights have come a
long way over the past century, but no matter what anyone says, women are
not viewed as equal. So how, might you be wondering, are teenage girls
supposed to grow into strong, confident, and independent women while
battling the pressures of society? Well, The Riot Grrrls had the same
thoughts and they decided to do something about it. The Riot Grrrl
movement gives voice to adolescent girls who are fed up with the standards
and constraints set by patriarchal society.
It was an underground movement that began in the summer of 1991 in
Washington D.C. as an offshoot of the male-dominated punk rock scene. The
lyrics from the song “The Riot Girls,” written by Brenda Baker, embody
the spirit of the movement. “No one calls ‘em ladies. They burned
their dresses and cut their curls. They got a point of view. They got a
job to do. Make way for the Riot Girls!” Most people call it punk rock
feminism, although it has spread much further than punk circles. Not only
do they seek to eradicate oppression through music and playing in bands
but they also spread revolutionary inspiration through publishing zines.
Led by bands such as Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy, and Bikini Kill, and
zines such as Jigsaw, Chainsaw, and Girl Germs, the
movement created a network of Riot Grrrls and soon chapters were started
across the country. The movement grew even further from its punk rock
beginnings when it received coverage in magazines such as Newsweek
and Sassy.
Still, many are left wondering, “Who are these girls and what purpose do they serve?” The Riot Grrrls are unapologetic, aggressive, in-your-face activists who act out against domination and refuse to play by anyone’s rules but their own. They are self-proclaimed misfits and outcasts: the fat girls, punks, nerds, lesbians, tomboys, and girls just fed up with being ruled by rich white Christian men. They are young fierce feminists. The Riot Grrrls are tired of abuse, and they shout it from rooftops. Although they take a political stance and speak out against injustices such as rape and abuse, they are also concerned with teenage struggles such as relationships, school, friends and boys. They have created a wide-spread community in which they rant and rave, play music, share stories and provide comfort and assurance.
More recently Riot Grrrl has created an Internet community,
allowing many more girls to get involved. All the girls will agree that
being a part of the movement has changed their thoughts and actions, and
the way they view themselves in everyday life. To most, it is a community
of emotional support.