Things You Say

This is basically my interview form I use for online interrogations. This (sorry, another excerpt) is an interview I had to answer myself, for someone with their own zine. I hate myself, now.

THE BASICS
~do riot grrrls exist today? ((Depends where you look; the riots haven't broken on the streets lately, but we're still in the third-wave. We are still 'the minority'. And we are still treated like it. The cause is there, but our women warriors are laying dormant after the last glorious explosion. The minute you stop questioning + start accepting, there will be no turning back. Riot grrrls still exist simply because... they have to.))

~what constitutes a female musician as a ‘riot grrrl’? ((Because the movement was based on a political view, i'd say a strong political stance would be a riot grrrl must. Singing or writing about (third-wave) feminist causes would make a girl a grrrl.))
-can a female songwriter NOT necessarily be feminist? ((If the songwriter at hand is addressing feminist issues, and agrees to take on the label, then sure. PJ Harvey has been cited as saying she herself isn't feminist; songs like 'Dress' + 'Sheela-Na-Gig' would make you think differently however. So this is really an difficult case.))
-is a feminist always riot grrrl? ((Not necessarily, but a lot of women-in-rock writers would push differently. Let's just go by stereotypes for a minute and say Aretha Franklin's 'respect' put the idea of giving ladies props into the mainstream for one of the first times; this would make her a riot grrrl, apparently. Well, not necessarily, a riot grrrl believes in third-wave ethics... not to say she isn't an all-around feminist, but now we're just getting broad here. It's easy to say any girl who takes off her makeup-- or puts it on-- then goes on stage and screams, sings, or whispers her angriest or saddest or dirties secrets makes her a riot grrrl. This is not always true.))

~can a “real” riot grrrl call herself a ‘riot grrrl’? Would this make her a poser? ((You can call yourself anything you want, but then what? R.G.s were activists, musicians, zinesters, artists, all with a DIY-ethic. Listening to all of Bikini Kill's obscurest songs-- and looking great in those cat eye glasses you bought-- that means so little. Anyone willing to march, + to write, + to yell the loudest, those are the grrrls who started (and continue) the riot. You can call yourself anything if you actually plan on living to the standards that come along with the name and the wardrobe.))
-do particular [new] bands classify themselves as R.G.s? ((I think back then, and now still, the riot grrrl bands we all came to know and love never really identified themselves as such; the term was coined through a misconception and the media swallowed it whole; riot grrrl is so much simpler than saying, 'A grassroots third wave feminist movement deeply connected to the punk rock scene in the early and mid 1990’s. Mostly youth oriented, riot grrrl was neither an organization or a specific thought, but instead thrived on non hierarchal “chapters” set up across America and parts of Europe connecting mostly young women with music, a thriving zine scene , and direct political action.' (the most popular definition off urbandictionary). 'this summer there will be a girl riot' was the first mention of those two words together. But pertaining to the question, I suppose fewer bands nowadays are getting the R.G. term, as it's the media who used it the most, and it's the media now who says the movement's dead. I, however, think Peaches picked up on her cue, the gossip too. True, mama Sleater-kInney broke up, and that's disheartening; but last I heard, aren't the Slits on tour again?))

~so darling, are you a riot grrrl? ((i hope so))
-who turned you on to it? ((A goddess I met when I came into the ninth grade, her name was Celeste))
-how old were you? ((Math? Alright, I guess fifteen sounds good... the Riot Grrrl revolution didn't hit me until late sophomore year, although Celeste had tried to push Le Tigre on me early on))
-which band took your viriginity? ((The first time I LIKED riot grrrl, well the band that turned me around was Sleater-Kinney; then when I reported back to the friend who'd 'told me so', she ecstaticly threw bikini kill and the gossip at me... I'm going to the gossip show on april 14, actually))
-anything else you’d like to add, hun? ((riot grrrl rules?))

~do you think the scene died? ((What a horrible thought; I want to say no. No, the feelings haven't subsided, no we haven't 'gotten over it' and no, something still feels wrong. Yes, the mention of 'riot grrrl' will roll some eyes now, yes we're supposed to be equal, and yes, I miss Bikini Kill. How dare ANYONE tell me my rage can be turned off just like 'that' though. No one can tell me to feel comfortable, if my goddamn 'women's intuition' tells me otherwise. The scene can't die, not if people continue to realize something's still off.))
-may I ask why, either way? ((I rambled like a jerk, everything's up there))

~ why did we need a third-wave? ((why wouldn't we? The almighty press told us feminism was dead, but women were still being abused. We were gainING notice in the business world, and we could vote. But any multi-demensional girl will tell you there's more to it; we want to be treated equally, but we don't want to pretend to be genderless, too. We wanted to have sex, safely. We didn't want to wake up the next morning, then have a random asshole tell us we were whores walking down the street while he inched his hand down his pants as he passed by in his car. Life isn't just lawbooks and print, we needed the everyday asshole to acknowledge change was happening.))
-was riot grrrl inevitable? ((Yes. Punk music was supposed to be the free-for-all revolution for all.. and the boys were leaving us behind. Their equality was never intended for a girl who didn't tote a mohawk and a six-pack; scrawny girls in pigtails with an education were left behind with busted guitars and some sharpies. The punk scene forced us to birth ourselves, while they tuned out our voices with their guitars.))

~what’s the difference (if there is one) between ‘grrrl fucking power’ and Spice Girls ‘girl powah’? ((If? Oh, there most certainly is one. Like a lot of people I've talked to, I completely agree that the spice girls' "message' was a prettier, cleaner, preteen-marketed version of the dirty, grimy, uncensored scorned punk grrrls' version. We didn't get any goddamn t-shirts or lollipops, no one was really making money off our zines and haircuts. our grrrl-fuckin-power was what you'd get if you touched us when we didn't wanna be. we would flip you off, then push an amp on you if you disrespected us. we didn't run around making movies about being cute and giving the peace sign to any living creature on the sidewalk. our names were allison, kathleen, tobi, corin, carrie, beth, theo. they weren't 'baby' 'posh' 'scary', any of that shit. we were in bands-- we weren't in studios, in limos, and in a record-producer's-bed-near-you.))

MILD POKING: WORD ASSOCIATION
First thought-descriptions for the following: (3-4 words if you can)
-masculine ((glistening, fear, bull[y]))
-feminine ((napkin [pad], motherdearest, etiquette))
-feminist ((aunty, sister, revolution))

PRODING JUST A LITTLE DEEPER

My focus points were the fifth and sixth paragraph (connecting states’ internet access to rape cases) and the eighth. But again, you may respond to any part of this article ((First of all, I want to know what a 'law professor' knows about psychology and world history. Now, the same man argues that violence doesn't cause crime because that's too basic of logic, says that porn could stop domestic abuse. Interesting, I'd think there would be other factors involved there, as well. Does it mean anything that with the states that have higher internet access... could it be that New Jersey has a high population than Arkansas? Oh that's right! it DOES have about 4 times the population... could that make a difference? Could it ALSO make a difference that New Jersey, Washington, Colorado, and Alaska are not run by Christian run traditional conservatives? If this is hitting to close to home, let's take a look at the other side of the ocean; "in places like Afghanistan....women are shot in soccer stadiums" He also points out that pornography happens to be illegal in middle eastern countries like the one mentioned; does he honestly think, however, that in a culture where women are already seen as lower-than-equals, that showing hardcore porn, where the woman is on her knees, taking it from five men and asking through sobs and drips of come, for more-- would that make the culture snap out of its traditions? "Oh my God... that slut on the floor, who's being used by those men to have come ejaculated on her face... she deserves some more credit. That whore (as the men in the porn would probably be identifying her as) she deserves more power! yes!" I doubt it. Tradition as deep-set as that in the East will NOT be changed by distributing images like that.))

DRAWING SOME BLOOD NOW

This is that “especially long” article; in short, the writer cites “xtina” as the new Bikini Kill, in her sexual rebuttle to popular culture beliefs of feminity and sexuality. I have my own thoughts on this, and it’s hard not to rant myself, but I don’t think I’m supposed to do that. If you aren’t interested in reading the entire article, I’ll send a few paragraphs that summarize.
“Pop music's rules are strict and strident for the ladies in the house. Socialized through the language of the radio, the dudes are out booty-calling hos in different area codes, putting keys in ignitions, and instructing us to shake it like a dog. Still, amid this gender-script minefield, one of pop's biggest stars has found her way, as an emergent leader of new feminism: Christina Aguilera, she of the honeyed warbles, the throaty vocal runs, the conviction mined from profound talent and powerful personal history.”

“It was last year, when Xtina released the single "Can't Hold Us Down," from her 2002 album Stripped--that's when she upset the clockwork. It was an inspirational anthem of girl-strength that called out the double standard. It was a revolt against the life-sucking notion that for a woman to do as a man does is impermissible, and punishable by scarlet letter.”

“I hadn't felt this deliberately included in such a personal/universal statement since hearing Bikini Kill for the first time. During my brief imprisonment in a Cheyenne, Wyoming high school, Bikini Kill verbalized the things I knew to be true, but what the male punks in my record collection had neglected to name. That band split my world open like a geode; 11 years later, speaking from the anonymous corridors of corporate FM radio, Xtina Aguilera did the same.”

“Xtina's persona, her lyrics, personal action and participation--and, most importantly, the ways in which she self-identifies and lives her message--are parallel to those of Bikini Kill. Xtina's girl-might embodies the collective mentality of riot grrrl, with all its confrontation and self-determination. Spouting lyrics that could have been ripped from the pages of Bikini Kill fanzine, Xtina Aguilera takes Riot Grrrl ideals to mass market, promoting revolutionary concepts through traditional means of the capitalism so hated by RG.” Do you think this concept makes sense: that “revolutionary” riot grrrl views could truly still be anti-captitalist coming from a mainstream radio, that feeds off of the same culture that devours capitalism whole? ((Does this need an answer? NO!))

“As Hanna wrote in the "riot girl" manifesto, printed in 1991 in issue two of Bikini Kill fanzine: "We hate capitalism in all its forms and see our main goal as sharing information and staying alive, instead of making profits off being cool according to traditional standards." While Christina profits from "Can't Hold Us Down," she's sharing information to stay alive...Stripped has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.”

“I'm not too bothered if some people get upset about what I wear... with my videos and my pictures of me, I am not an object. I am in control. I'm in the power position. I decide who I am and it's too bad if you don't get it... or want it." - ‘X-tina’

- is it odd to you, or is it perfectly normal that cited in this article, for all the interviews held with X-tina, were the following ‘feminist’ magazines: Blender, Australian and American Cosmo?

((it would be silly to blindly block out anyone who is willing to take on the 'feminist' symbol, especially someone with as much wide-spread (not necessarily in a sexual way) media attention as "xtina". there are just some discrepancies i can't get past.
first of all, the only cited magazines she interviewed with (as reported by this article, at least) were the following: Blender, Australian, and American Cosmo. If you were to 'come out' with news of yr newly found feminism, would these be yr feminist-mags-of-choice? I can't honestly say I've sat through an entire issue of cosmo, but to my knowledge, there doesn't seem to be feminism and empowerment crammed into any of their flashy advertisments for perfume or makeup or their covery story on what "hair style will turn your man on". i'm probably wrong though, considering i can't stand most of the stuff they try to pour down my throat, i'd rather stick to bitch, venus, bust, underground zines and things of that sort, if i want to see any hint of 'feminism enlightenment'.
secondly, i'm confused. i understand the whole 'i'll wear what i'll wear, and you can get off my case about it. as a woman, i have the right to wear what i feel comfortable in, and you can't tell me to wear that same t-shirt and jeans i wore a few years ago.' hell, i'll wear what i wanna wear, you know? HOWEVER, this is where things can get cloudy: toting the feminist name as just another accessory when you go out into the world isn't the way to treat it either. xtina claims to wear what SHE deems sexy... but it looks awfully similar to what all those men who buy her pinup posters and nude issues of maxim are calling sexy. who is she really doing this for, i can't help but wonder. who's idea of 'sexY" does she callher own?
I'm not seeing any empowerment in her ass-less chaps.))


SEXY BLOODY RESEARCH
the following is an excerpt from Pamela Paul’s Pornified. It will cover, in short, a male chatroom on a particular pornographic site.

“By commenting on women as a group, men keep women at a distance, parading their masculinity and proving their potency to one another, and to themselves...
‘Bjoobies!! I love dem Asian features,’ exclaims one man in a bulletin board of responses to a series of online photos showing a half-Asian,half-Caucasian woman, dubbed ‘Kitana,’ frolicking naked in a bathtub. ‘Damnit,’ writes another man. ‘I thought it was Kitana Baker... oh well this chick is still decent enough. She has a weird midriff though.’ He’s not alone in his opnion. ‘Looks like she’s had a few too many sandwiches!!!’ exclaims another viewer. ‘or she needs to stick to light beer!! She has no waistline-- goes straight down from her shoulders!!!’ A third man chimes in, ‘She does nuthin 4 me. Maybe the fugliness, i don’t know.’ A man who calls himself ‘Drexel’ agrees. He writes:
I’m confused. Whose idea of beauty are we subject to? What are the qual-
ifications needed to get one’s boobies on [this site]? The reason I ask, is that there doesn’t seem to be anything extraordinary about this particular young lady. No shocking hair color, exceptional beauty, fancy outfit, giant boobs, etc, etc, that seperate her from any other bathing booty. She’s fine,
I’d hit it and all but, I’m sure I could find 50 more interesting versions with-
in a few keystrokes.
... Another Web site, another forum: a blonde peels off her white bustier, French-cut bikini, and garters in a fram-by frame monstage, ending with her legs spread wide. She poses from the front, and now from the back, squatting, lying down, smiling. ‘I dunno, man, her face is screwy... The eyes/eyebrow combination is off one way or another,’ writes one observer. ‘What’s up with the beaver rash?’ asks a second. ‘Nice granny panties,’ sneers a third, the self-proclaimed I Dig Chicks. yet another viewer piles on: ‘This chick’s boobies are weird. how come her nipples aren’t somewhat centered within her areolas? I don’t think ever seen that before.’ Nobody seems to like the blonde very much... When one man complains that the others are being unduly harsh, a debate breaks out on the baord. ‘Any skank who appears naked on the internet automatically gains immunity from criticism?’ replies a poster. ‘I’ve seen plenty of nasty mean [online] that I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole... Actually, now that I think of it, you’re right, from now on I’ll commence heaping praise on every used up skanky butterface implant ridden ho-bag that gets posted here.’
This isn’t quite the aesthetic appreciation that men make pornography viewing out to be, nor does it seem to be about men loving women. Comments in such porn forums generally fall into two categories: whether the viewer would have sex with the woman depicted or not and whether the image inspired him to masturabte, accompanied by a dissection of the woman’s attributes that turned him on. The prettiness of her face, the curve of her ass, whether she’s been too airbrushed or not airbrushed enough.”

(That was long, I’m sorry.)

-Any thoughts on the selected text? ((That's completely disgusting. Any woman who tells me putting images of herself onto the internet is empowering, or showing her tits for five dollars a month will get her some hard-earned feminist power, is being ridiculous. Pornography, this is an abridged version of my opinion, is just a way for men who couldn't score with the 'fugliest' of the girls they criticize to gather in awkward groups and point and stare. This is upsetting to me, and I don't find anything "equal" about what they were saying. We have not achieved equality yet, and this is just rubbing it in my face now.))

© 2007 Lucia Doyle