In California, a new breed of Brownie is learning about social justice instead of sewing, empowering young girls marginalised by the mainstream
Oakland, California, has played host to a powerful league of revolutionary spirits over the years. The Black Panther Party, Brown Berets and Yellow Peril all called the bustling Bay Area city home at some point in their interwoven histories. And now, in the spirit of radical foremothers Angela Davis, Grace Reyes, and Yuri Kochiyama, comes a pint-sized girl group with every bit of the political passion of their predecessors.
The Radical Brownies, a social justice-oriented version of the Girl Scouts, was set up only a few weeks ago to “empower young girls of colour to step into their collective power, brilliance and leadership to make the world a more radical place”. The group of 12 girls are not affiliated to the Girl Guide movement and there are no badges for hostessing. Instead, the members, aged between eight and 12 years old, learn about black history, civil rights and social justice; their reward system includes a “Black Lives Matter” badge and lessons in sustainable agriculture for a “Food Justice” badge. “Radical Beauty,” “Radical Self-Love,” and “LGBT Ally” badges are also on the curriculum.
Continue reading... Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.
Oakland, California, has played host to a powerful league of revolutionary spirits over the years. The Black Panther Party, Brown Berets and Yellow Peril all called the bustling Bay Area city home at some point in their interwoven histories. And now, in the spirit of radical foremothers Angela Davis, Grace Reyes, and Yuri Kochiyama, comes a pint-sized girl group with every bit of the political passion of their predecessors.
The Radical Brownies, a social justice-oriented version of the Girl Scouts, was set up only a few weeks ago to “empower young girls of colour to step into their collective power, brilliance and leadership to make the world a more radical place”. The group of 12 girls are not affiliated to the Girl Guide movement and there are no badges for hostessing. Instead, the members, aged between eight and 12 years old, learn about black history, civil rights and social justice; their reward system includes a “Black Lives Matter” badge and lessons in sustainable agriculture for a “Food Justice” badge. “Radical Beauty,” “Radical Self-Love,” and “LGBT Ally” badges are also on the curriculum.
Continue reading... Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.