In celebration of International Women’s Day, writers at HC Manchester are sharing the stories of the incredible women that inspire them.
Riot Grrrl was a manifesto, a set of ideas from the 1990s from women who wanted to be part of the Punk movement. They wanted to be seen, heardĀ and be equal. And, while we may have diversified away from punk, the messages against sexism, homophobiaĀ and racism still hold strong.Ā Riot Grrrl was about more than punk. It was, and still can be, about finding community with other artists ā people.
The manifesto created a conversation about standing up for what you believeĀ in and fighting to be whoever and whatever you wantĀ to be. While news of Riot Grrrl has been hidden in media, echoes of it can still be heard, such as in womenās marches likeĀ Reclaim the NightĀ and other women led acts of activism. The chants of “Women unite. Reclaim the night!” and “Women. United. Will never be defeated” show the power, aggressionĀ and necessity of movements like these.
Pioneer of Riot Grrrl, Kathleen Hanna, still promotes the ideals of punk feminism through her music. She is the lead singer-songwriter of Bikini Kill, who are touring this year, has a multimedia company called Le TigreĀ and performs with the band The Julie Run.
Source: Johnathan Charles
The Riot GrrrlĀ Manifesto was published in Bikini Killās 1991 Zine 2. The manifestoĀ shouts about women in art, musicĀ and how we fight for equality in life. This manifesto is especially powerful as it is unapologetic. Riot Grrrl gives women theĀ opportunity to be angry without it mattering if itās considered ugly or unacceptable.
Womxn, girlsĀ and everybody who identifies as suchĀ have the power to change the world. Even in academia, women are known to have āweakerā language. They use the word ālikeā more because they are unsure of their own confidence and unsure if their words are allowed. Riot Grrrl allows you to go beyond this. It teaches womxn to be themselves, to trust in their voiceĀ and to trust the power that their voice has.
“BECAUSE we are angry at a society that tells us Girl = Dumb, Girl = Bad, Girl = Weak.”
Society rules through patriarchy. Womxn are told weāre less than men. In shops, we are princesses whereas boys are superheroes. In reality, we are the same. Girls are strong, boys are strong. This movement fights for equality. It fights for womxn to be treated equally in society.
“BECAUSE we donāt wanna assimilate to someone elseās (boy) standards of what is or isnāt.”
Bikini Kill zine where theĀ Riot Grrrl Manifesto was orignally printed. Source: Tigersnaps
Womxn are so much more than society lets us be. Womxn want to live in a world where their own ideals of how to be are accepted and respected. Womxn want to live life without expectations and standards about their bodies, their career choicesĀ and however they choose to live their lives. Because, it really is nobodyās business except their own.
Riot Grrrl creates the idea of a community that raises its voice and shouts. A community that creates and nurtures change. To be able to do this, to reach our full potential as people, womxn need equality. While the music of punk and alternative may only be played in the back bedrooms of student housesĀ or bars tucked away in the corners of cities, the Riot Grrrl Manifesto is still as relevant now as it was in 1991.
Read the full Riot Grrrl Manifesto here. Ā