extramonologue

Riot Grrrl vs. A People’s Revolution

I could write about 5000 words on the pop culture influences that have played a role in shaping girls’ self-esteem and identity and ambitions over the past 20 years, but most of you probably don’t care. So here’s a brief, and simple, observation incited by two books that came out today:

1991 was all about the Girl Power. “Cry in public. Don’t Judge Other People. Learn to Be Yourself.”—Bikini Kill manifesto (via Girl Power: The Nineties Revolution in Music by Marisa Meltzer*)

2010 is all about the Power Girl. “If You Have to Cry, Go Outside.”—from the title of Kelly Cutrone’s new book**

Sure, there’s much more to it than that, but I think you need to learn the girl power lesson before you can ever become the power girl—am I right?

*I’m halfway through Girl Power and so far, so awesome.

**I didn’t think I’d want to read Cutrone’s book, but I’m kind of intrigued after hearing her herald it as fourth wave feminism? BOLD!