Misremembering the Riot Grrrls

We didn't laugh when we read Sandra Tsing Loh's jokey review of Joan Sewell's book in this month's Atlantic Monthly. In fact, we were flummoxed by the first few sentences:

"Here’s the next wild turn in the female sexual revolution. Goodness! we hear you wondering, half in excitement, half in alarm. Is it some hot new wave of Seattle girl-on-girl action? (Or is that “grrrl-on-grrrl”? Indeed, do we even have grrrls anymore—are they still in bisexual vogue, with their tattoos, piercings, perky magenta pigtails, and combat boots?)"

We were moderately aware and awake during the heyday of the riot grrrl movement. We dated, then married, and now have a family with a woman who would have been labeled a "grrrl" due to her politics and her taste in music and dress. Albeit, this was all in Boston, not Seattle. But how could Loh, who is paid to be a keen observer of our culture, get grrrls so wrong? Her take on it is not unlike our younger brother's in 1993: "Bunch-uh-dykes."

To make sure we weren't suffering false memory syndrome, we checked out the EMP's online exhibit Love, Rock, and Revolution. Immediately we came across a possible reason for Loh's ignorance:

"As with much analysis by the mass media, the mainstream take on riot grrrl was flawed. At the time, coverage was hindered by the fact that many women involved in riot grrrl declined to speak to the media; by the fall of 1992, a 'media blackout' had been declared."

So, now we have yet another piece of parental advice to provide our daughter. When you start your revolution, make sure you have a good public relations department.

Scan of Bikini Kill show flyer circa 1992-1993 courtesy joannaerina.