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Monica Miller's avatar

I really appreciated Hanna’s book, and I enjoyed reading your response here. It’s funny, how if you know Bikini Kill songs, you shouldn’t be surprised by the amount of trauma she suffered—but holy cow!

I’m one of the few women my age who are not into the Miranda July book. One book that I did enjoy that Rebel Girl has me thinking about is Nancy Barile’s I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises-and-All Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion.

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Andy Laken's avatar

I read Rebel Girl a couple months ago. I missed Riot Grrrl at the time, and never saw BK live, but in recent years have been fascinated by the movement, BK, and KH. I think seeing the Linda Lindas (all in their teens or younger at the time) cover Rebel Girl during the pandemic helped me realize the brilliance of that song and got me more curious about KH's story.

I appreciate you addressing head-on some of the thornier issues her story raises and recounts, questions of privilege, how change movements can quickly develop oppressive 'rules', and looking from a mature male perspective on the gender dynamics that her work raises. Post #metoo, I think as thoughtful man we need to take a hard look at the scenes / systems / industries / institutions we've been a part of or benefited by: and ask ourselves what were women's experiences there? Did they have access? Were they subject to impossible demands? Did men take credit for their work? What was handed to me (or easier for me) that was difficult / impossible for women?

Alongside the book I can recommend the excellent documentary on KH 'The Punk Singer'.

Anyway thanks for plugging this excellent book!

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