Brainstorm Week 10 - Angie Lai

Ovarian Psycos and Chicas Rockeras exemplify how feministas in the borderlands organize communities in the present as they plant seeds for the future by fostering community and support for the youth, as well as themselves. In the film, Ovarian Pyscos: Film about Women of Color Bike Brigade, Xela said that an at-risk youth becomes an "at-risk adult", and posed the question, "Where are the spaces for us?" (2:20). In order to have effective leaders for the next generation, there needs to be positive spaces and communities for today's Chicanas. On their website, Ovarian Pyscos say they "are connecting dots, becoming aware of community agencies, spaces and movimientos in an effort to solidify [their] local networks making everything and everyone more accessible for and to each other". This statement supports Chela Sandoval's theory of animating affinities within difference, moving everyone towards emancipation. By being inclusive, affinities within difference are acknowledged and supported. Chicas Rockeras also creates positive spaces and communities, moving everyone towards emancipation with a focus on youth. In Alison Wolfe's article, "Chicas Rockeras: Empowering Girls in Southeast Los Angeles'', she mentions that the camp provides a sliding scale tuition, making it accessible and affordable, and emphasizes that these girls take these skills and this energy "from camp home to their own lives and communities". When these girls feel empowered and practice resilience, they're able to create change within their homes and communities which works towards the health and wellness of the future. The Chicas Rockeras website says their campers are between the ages of 8-17, which is a critical age range that really informs your identity and self-image. It is vital to instill self-confidence and self-worth in young womxn within this age range, so they can grow up to be confident and informed leaders. In Jessica Schwartz's article, "Si se puede!: Chicas Rockeras and punk music education in South East Los Angeles", she states that the camp "utilizes punk feminist pedagogy, with a mestiza consciousness, to remind students of their past and present power, and also give them a space for their affective empowerment musically" (45). This connects the resilience practices we've learned throughout the quarter, touching on music, pedagogy, consciousness, and recognition of the past and present, to help campers create the needed social change.