by Brackin Firecracker

Who doesn't love cheerleaders in the great-sports-state of Texas? Well, how about cheerleaders who have taken the pep and the ra-ra-rah fun of traditional cheerleading to another level -- bringing attention to political and personal issues and causes? That's right, no more cheering just for the boys playing sports. These girls (and some boys) are cheerleaders for the revolution. They call themselves "Radical Cheerleaders," also known in some parts of the country as "jeerleaders" or "queerleaders."

Here in Austin, just over a year and a half ago, a group of interested wimmin came together and started making up their own cheers and performing them in coffee shops, art galleries, demonstrations, and wherever the need presented itself. One of their most crowd-pleasing cheers ends with "beep, beep, beep, take your voice to the streets, ya'll!"

Radical cheerleading is at its very essence guerrilla theater and cultural jamming. Guerrilla theater is agitative and spontaneous social and political commentary that is outside the confines of traditional theater. Cultural jamming is taking a very recognizable cultural emblem and assigning it a new message. The Radical Cheerleaders, who are all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and colors, are reclaiming cheerleading from the standards of fashion-magazine beauty.

Radical Cheerleaders here in Austin have worked closely with the Wimmin's Action Coalition of Austin (WACA) in getting the word out about an "alleged" rapist police officer. At every one of his pre-trials, the Radical Cheerleaders have been represented. Also recently, the Radical Cheerleaders, in conjunction with WACA, took part in Girl's Day, holding a workshop to teach cheers, and co-sponsoring a "cuntceptual" art show where wimmin were invited to present art work representing and depicting their vulvas. The idea was that, by recognizing and sharing our art, we would lose the shame and objectivity that so many associate with this most sacred part of our bodies.

Radical cheerleading is also integral in Art & Revolution,which aligns itself with many groups working toward radical social and political change. Where Art & Revolution creates puppets and flag banners, the Radical Cheerleaders make up cheers, chants, and keep the demonstration fun and exciting. In that respect, radical cheerleading is not so different from traditional cheerleading!

For more information about Radical Cheerleaders, contact Art & Revolution (1-877-340-0311) or the Wimmin's Action Coalition of Austin.