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[Welcome To Riot Grrrl Online] About Riot Grrrl Here is some history of riot grrrl. Riot Grrrl began in 1991 at Olympia Washington, when a few girls (mostly from Bikini Kill and Bratmobile) decided to get together and talk about their main interests.. feminism and punk rock. The first time they met it was all fun, they put up posters to get attention of other open minded girls. Then they found out they had other things in common : they were all vegetarians; against drugs; and had been molested as children. At one meeting a very smart girl took notes, photocopied them and turned them into a cool fanzine. That's how it all began. Some people think that Bikini Kill started it all, in my eyes they did. Bikini Kill, however does not think of themselves as starting the riot grrrl movement. In Bikini Kill's songs, they sing about different women issues such as: rape, incest, & other issues that some women face. Some people think that bikini kill, riot grrrls, & feminists are "man-haters". They're not. They just want to be equal to men, not better to them. Zines are a BIG part of the riot grrrl scene. Most riot grrrls believe in DIY. (do it yourself) That means that they start chapters, zines, etc. of their own around the riot grrrl movement. There is no right or wrong definition to riot grrrl. Everyone has their own definition to riot grrrl. Urban Dictionary defines 'riot grrrl' in 4 possible ways. 1.) Riot Grrrl: Movement/organization of empowered womyn (and occassionally men) dedicated to expressing radical, grassroots feminism through art and activism. Spotlighted in the media around the time the punk band Bikini Kill was at the height of their powers. 2.) Riot Grrrl: Radical 'women orientated' music scene from the early 90's. Bans attached were Huggy Bear, Bikini Kill and Voodoo Dolls. 3.) Riot Grrrl: a feminist, who can rock out, have fun, and doesn't give a shit what any one else says. "At the havoc concert front row was a riot grrrl, she also has her own band, and has never let a guy tell her what to do." 4.) Riot Grrrl: 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. There is no one specific example of riot grrrl, in fact the best example is contrasting different people who associated themselves with the movement. I would never give out a set definition though because that would automatically exclude another grrrl. Riot grrrl to me means: grrrl love, respect, feminism, & equality. Riot grrrls want to be heard. They want to speak out against various issues in today's society. Riot grrrl is not 'man-hating'. It is a movement for grrrls that want to be equal to men. Riot grrrls want to make a stand. Riot grrrl is being a nonconformist & not meeting society's standards. Riot grrrls want to make a change. Riot grrrls are a loosely set up network of underground feminists and music fans, of all ages, all over the country. It's about GRRRL power : women getting together to help and encourage each other, getting rid of sexist stereotypes of what girls are suposed to be... quiet, soft, sweet, innocent, helpless, etc. Not all riot grrrls are girls, some are riot boys & believe strongly in the riot grrrl movement. Grrrls can be found anywhere from honor roll kids to downtown club kids. We are not all punk, all white, all lesbians, all musicans, all zine writers/editors, all vegetarians, all victims of abuse, or all straight edge. True riot grrrls don't discriminate. Riot grrrl is any woman who believes that they should be treated equally in all ways. Riot grrrls believe they shouldn't be treated as "sex objects" but as human beings. Riot grrrls want to have the same rights as men, but not be treated like they can't do anything. Women aren't here to look pretty. Most guys think women are weak, stupid, etc. but we are not! We are sick of guys running things in the world. It would be nice if a woman was running things for once. The world is male-dominated. It would be nice if it was equal...male & female dominated. Guys have their stereotypes of women & their stereotypes are wrong. Some men will call a woman "his bitch". We are NOT bitches. We are not slaves either. We don't like it when guys call us names like, "bitch", "whore", "dyke", etc. The list could go on. The point is we are all women & we NEED equality. We are sick of men telling us how to act, how to be, etc. Most but not all men stereotype women too much. Some men think that their dicks make them powerful or in control. It's not what's in between your legs that counts, but what's in yourr mind & in your heart. Another definition would be this: To me & other grrls it means equality. No man is better than a woman and vice versa. Riot grrrl is about choice and it should embrace everyone, because individuality is one of the most special things that one can have, and everybody has it & needs to use it. It is a sisterhood, as long as we dont forget that we are all different and not to overlook that because that it what makes each of us beautiful. Riot grrrl is a punk feminist movement. It can only exsist in the punk and underground music scene. Riot grrrl probably couldn't have happened in any other time period, except for the first punk revolution in the 70's. Riot grrrl incorporates feminist ideals and uses them to de-gender the punk scene. Punk rock is not just for boys anymore. In a scene based on progression, resistance and rebellion, grrrls look around and find that they are still treated like secondary citizens. Most (but not all) guys look at girls as sexual conquests, entertainment or attendents to hold their bookbags while they dance. Everyone becomes a hypocrite, preaching anti-sexist ideals, all the while practicing what they were brought up to do: treat girls like they would treat their mommies or even like wives- like property. Look between your legs, us grrrls will never ever hold a place in the brotherhood. This is why riot grrrl originated in the first place. Over half the worlds population is made up of women. White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, rich, poor, straight, gay, bisexual, disabled, all female, we are all women. We have become a silent majority. Stand up and fight!!!! Riot! Riot loudly, riot quietly. Just riot!!!!!! Society has put a gag in our mouths; rip it out and fucking riot!