The Ho Hit Me First

When I was in grad school and had to give a presentation in my Feminism & Popculture seminar, I chose to discuss Girlfight (Karyn Kusama, 2000).

I looked through my notes from that class and could only find a poem I wrote about the boxing film.  It could probably be performed as a spoken word piece:

Traipsing Around in a Male-Centered Arena

What do you do
with a girl like me
neither tomboy, nor girlie girl
at the cusp of your 21st Century
I’m just angry
I don’t take any shit
I’ll call you on your stupidity

Where do I go?
a girl like me
neither geek, nor artist
not a hippy punk, but still anti-authority
I haven’t stolen,
I’m not in a gang
So spare me that lecture
on finding me some structure—
I know how to cooperate,
I just don’t

Choose to
Or want to

Can’t I just punch
you in the Bronx

switch places with my little bro
the aspiring painter,
the collegiate
whereas I,
I wanna box

It really is my idea

That’s where I go
inside a ring
my chin down, eyebrows scrunched
can I get some recognition?

I still haven’t stolen anything
I’m still not in a gang
Have I been fightin anyone at school lately?

I could do PE class all day

Hit me with your best shot
I can handle this love subplot
I’m not going down for this,
I might rage the bull
But this isn’t Body and Soul

This girlfight has no Master Plot
It’s about standing up
To the man that drove
My mother to suicide

But before I get carried away

Step back from that ledge
Victory isn’t that rewarding
It can’t be
This is about me

And where you gonna put
a girl like me
neither tomboy, nor girlie girl
I came before Pink
and I’m no Gabrielle Reece

So look at me
Get acquainted with every grimace
Get used to it
I’ll still be here in the morning.

— yiqi 2 april 2007 3:40 AM

Pic creds: IMDB and Yahoo Movies (when it was still a thing)

Originally posted at my LJ.