Madison Files
RIOT GRRRL
Central Question:
How did the Riot Grrrl movement reflect the political issues that impacted women during the 1990s?
How it Began:
The Riot Grrrl movement was a third wave feminist movement based in Washington in the 1990s, formed in response to pro-life movements and anti- Clinton movements happening in Olympia. The movement was led by young women with a focus on domestic violence, LGBT+ issues, and race issues.The music that came out of the movement is chaotic but impactful. REVOLUTION GIRL STYLE NOW!
Written by Kathleen Hanna, who is often considered the leader of Riot Grrrl, Rebel Girl quickly became the anthem for the movement. The song overturned hetrosexual traditions in music and yet, wasn't overtly homosexual, leading to the riot grrrl tradition of sexual ambiguity to cause shock among listeners, yet remaining ambiguous enough where LGBT issues don't directly affect riot girls. The song drives home the central point of riot grrrl, close female relationships and feminist solidarity, without being overtly homosexual.
Bikini kill - Rebel Girl
Bratmobile's cover of the Runaways song shifted the original meaning of the song to be more sexual and queer with the shift of "streetboy" to "straight girl". Became a Riot Grrrl anthem along with the original version performed by The Runaways. The song shows Riot Grrrls intentions to turn traditions in music and focus on a more modern viewpoint.
Bratmobile - Cherry Bomb (from Pottymouth)
Pretend We're Dead by L7, directly responds to the far right and serves as a political message for riot girls to stand together to oppose conservative policies. The song exemplifies one of Riot Grrrls main purposes, opposing the right wing viewpoints and demonstrating women solidarity.
L7 - Pretend We're Dead
Whats Yr Take On Cassavettes by Le Tigre demonstrates conversations on public figures impact on society and shows the Riot Grrrl tradition of denouncing celebrities for sexism. By using John Cassavettes, a filmmaker, Le Tigre demonstrates conversations many riot girls were having at the time.
What's Yr Take On Cassavetes
Sleater-Kinneys #1 Must Have, showcases the downfall of Riot Grrrl and the events that led to its demise. It addresses media issues along with references to the Woodstock Festival (of 1999 not the 60's one) where many women were raped and attempts to make sense of these issues and modern misogyny. This song can be seen as the end of Riot Grrrl, from the perspective of the band who was involved from the beginning.
Sleater-Kinney - #1 Must Have
The Fall of Riot Girl
While the riot girls preached equality and diversity, the movement was largely populated by white women which, as in most movements with a white majority, isolated black and mexican members and led to hostility and overall racism within the movement.