Brainstorm Week 10 - Sadie Van den Bogaerde

The Ovarian Psycos and Chicas Rockeras are two incredible examples of communities built with the intent of healing so that their members can move into the future that they imagine. Both groups bring together women and girls of different backgrounds but give them space to collaborate and heal themselves and those around them, all while building confidence and independence that women too often lack because of the pressures of this patriarchal society.

I was really moved by the “Ovarian Psycos” movie, for a number of reasons. As a female cyclist, I was so excited to see such a strong, badass group of women getting together to ride and support one another. I always rode in a group of boys and never had that sense of sisterhood, only that I had to be able to fit in with the guys. I was inspired that the women who organized this group had the intentionality of healing themselves as a community. This alone set the group apart from just any ride club. Of course the male bike mechanic couldn’t understand why they “say no to boys,” because he’d never experienced the collective trauma that most of the ‘Ovas’ had. Even through their different life experiences, the women came together to celebrate themselves, as women, and call back to their ancient ancestry even though through colonialism and patriarchy they were a group “without roots.” This resilience practice of bringing together their shared, ancient past, while adopting a modern, punk, anti-establishment energy gives the group an incredibly unique bond and image, and allows the women a space to heal one another.

Chicas Rockeras Rock Camp similarly felt so close to my personal interests and involvements as a kid who was always in band and playing instruments, but was formed with key differences than any of the groups I’ve taken part in. I really resonated with the young girl who was described as being “too scared to actually hit the snare drum.” To be told to defy all that society tells you as a young girl by being loud for once is powerful. Chicas Rockeras is a Chicanafuturism because it is preparing young girls to grow into a new generation of powerful, loud women. Chicas Rockeras is forming a future for young girls by leading them to discover their own power.