Here are 4 possible reasons:
1. The Mainstream Media
Media Attributes:
2nd Wave feminism got a bashing in the mainstream media and that is why the Riot Grrrl movement were reluctant to talk with the press.
Lets face it the mainstream media are usually exploitative. Just ask Axl Rose, remember “Get in the Ring” (1991). “And that goes for all you punks in the press that wanna start shit by printing lies instead of the things we said.”
Riot Grrrl's No(n)-stable Identity:
Riot grrrls had a few reasons why they wanted a flexible definition of themselves. Riot girl is part of 3rd wave feminism and postmodernism which questions the idea of a stable identity and involves deconstruction. It was also so they could reach a wider audience (within feminism) allowing participants their own personal reasons for being part of the movement. Consequently, the media couldn’t refer to it as a particular static scene. Being a riot grrrl meant different things to different people but because mainstream journalists seem to prefer a more stable definition they became confused.
Misrepresentation:
The movement called for a mainstream media blackout, this led to the media reporting misinformation and often focusing on the riot grrrl fashion rather than their feminist politics. Any female punk musician was being called a riot grrrl even when they didn’t associate with the movement.
2. Race & Class
The original riot grrrl movement was predominately made up of white middle-class women. Those non privileged grrrls felt that their specific issues were not being addressed.
3. What Is More Important Politics or Profit?
It was obvious that most of the bands involved with the riot grrrl movement were motivated by political ideology rather than profit making. This is why most of them stuck to independent labels even when approached by the big Record Companies.
4. New Avenues
Many of the musicians wanted to explore new avenues and new genres of music. You can only handle playing 2 chords for so long.
No comments:
Post a Comment