In 2019, knowing how to campaign for civil rights, and teaching self-care, are skills just as vital as tying knots and sewing buttons. So while the Brownies and Guides have members learning some practical skills, so Oakland’s Radical Monarchs have their place.
Formed as the Radical Brownies and later retitled (American progressive culture has long tried to subvert the symbolism of monarchy, but done too little to unpack the term), as shown in documentary We Are the Radical Monarchs, the rising group is intended as a counterpoint to those more traditional groups, aimed specifically at girls and young women of color, and teaching them how to be culturally aware and civically engaged on their own terms.
But much of the film really isn’t about the Radical Monarch troop members, but instead about the founders (most especially the omnipresent Anayvette Martinez), and the parents, and community activists in Oakland. The girls themselves, oddly, fall into the background for much of the story: And on a topic where conservative critics will automatically say that the girls are being indoctrinated (there’s plenty of Fox & Friends footage claiming exactly that in here), focusing so much attention away from the girls seems a misstep.
Especially since the girls are so interesting, and have so much to say, both in words and actions. If the purpose of Radical Monarchs is to let young women forge a new path, maybe the camera – and the adults – should have got out of their way a bit more.
We Are the Radical Monarchs
Documentary Feature Competition, World Premiere Wednesday, March 13, 7:45pm, Alamo South Lamar
This article appears in March 8 • 2019.
