As I sit here listening to “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill, I realize reading feminist books and listening to Riot Grrrl music has arguably done much more for my development than my parents lecturing me or my grandparents taking me to church.
I get my parents want me to grow up to be a good person, but to be quite honest, the majority of their teachings consist of rules of what not to do. Things such as:
- Don’t look like a slut.
- Don’t stand out.
- Don’t act like a slut.
- Don’t act like a boy.
- Don’t look like a boy.
- Don’t be too obvious.
- Etc.
Some of them (most of them) don’t make much sense. What constitutes looking like a slut? What does a slut act like? Why shouldn’t I stand out? What should I not be obvious about? Why can’t I dress and act like a boy? I am one, so what’s with that? They know. They ignore.
But feminist books? Zines? Riot Grrrl music? They encourage me to be myself. They tell me to look how I want. Act how I want, as long as everyone is equal. I much prefer that message to my parents’ and grandparents’ beliefs. Maybe if I try to be the girl they want me to be, I’ll be a Riot Grrrl. That, I believe, would be the second best way to express myself. If I can’t be a boy, well, I’ll just upend all of your expectations.
Writing From A Teenage Oddball 