Brainstorm Week 10

Feministas in the borderlands organize community in the present through the formation of groups such as Ovarian Psychos. This is a group that formed in Eastern Los Angeles and consists of women that support each other as a community by riding bikes. In Ovarian Psycos: Film about Women of Color Bike Brigade, Joanna Sokolowski and Kate Trumbull-LaValle discuss how the Ovarian Psychos Cycle Brigade aims to bring together women experiencing trauma and difficulties (Sokolowski and Trumbull-LaValle, 2016). The use of bicycles to bring women together is powerful and provides a space for individuals to connect and relay their emotions. This space offers the "community" centered concept that many women struggling with trauma need. In addition, on the Overthrowing Vendidx, Authority, and the State (OVAS) website, the author mentions "We will learn tactics, build strategy and in the process find our purpose... accepting that we may or may not ever heal" (OVAS, 2020). This demonstrates how these women create a sustainable path while recognizing and embracing differences. It is important to have an understanding and connected community of women that also takes differences into consideration. In Chicas Rockeras: Empowering Girls in Southeast Los Angeles, Allison Wolfe says"With a goal of encouraging self-esteem and self-empowerment in young girls through a medium of music, the first non-profit girl rock camp sprouted in Portland, Oregon" (Wolfe, 2016). The introduction and exposure of young girls to music is critical assists with the various resilience practices discussed this quarter. This is another method of Chicanxfuturism that allows individuals to express their voices and opinions in an engaging manner and empowers young girls to go out of their comfort zones. The goal of the camp is to encourage girls to transgress boundaries by being loud and speaking up. In Chicas Rockeras: SELA, the website mentions "Our camp experience promotes healing, growth, and confidence for girls through music education while building self-esteem and encouraging group collaboration" (Chicas Rockeras, 2020). This further elaborates on how the camp is imperative in strengthening the voices and expression of young girls as they mature into women. These readings are important in supporting many of the various resilience practices we talked about this quarter.