Radical Cheerleaders

Radical cheerleaders have reconceptualized the traditional activity of cheerleading and strategies for promoting social justice. Often dressed in short skirts and combat boots, radical cheerleaders demonstrate against various forms of social injustice (e.g., sexism, heterosexism, environmental destruction, exploitation of migrant workers) and can be seen at globalization protests; women's rights rallies; protests against unfair business or labor practices; gay, lesbian, and transgender rights rallies; and many other left-leaning events. They are part of a larger youth movement that combines nonviolent protest, social activism, and a fresh approach to demonstrations.

The origin of contemporary radical cheerleaders (who are sometimes called jeerleaders or queerleaders) supposedly dates to 1996 when sisters Aimee, Cara, and Colleen Jennings conceptualized the idea on their way to a youth liberation conference in Sarasota, Florida. They were bored with traditional protests and worried that important social messages were being lost during the protests. Furthermore, they were concerned that, too often, male voices were most heard during these protests. The sisters made cheerleader-like uniforms, crafted pom-poms out of shredded garbage bags, and created their own cheers to support the protest. They later circulated their cheers via zines and on websites. The concept of giving cheerleading a radical edge circulated among mostly young social activists, and squads began popping up throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Radical cheerleading squads are a decentralized network that learns from each other and from occasional conferences (the first one was held in Ottawa in March 2001), workshops, and listserves.

Although the mainstream media have recently begun to highlight radical cheerleaders, cheering as a form of social protest is not new. During the 1960s civil rights and anti-war movements, some people on college campuses used cheerleading to make public their anti-war and anti-racism sentiments. Jeff Sokol, a student attending the University of California, Berkeley, successfully campaigned for the position of head yell leader and reshaped the cheerleading squad with “Ban the Bomb” and “End the War” cheers and uniforms which consisted of Levi's and blue sweaters emblazoned with the peace symbol. University of California at Los Angeles student Eddie Anderson used his position as head yell leader to protest against the Vietnam War and racism. At one game, he performed a parody of Bill Haley's “Rock Around the Clock” and called it “Bomb Around the Clock.”

While bringing an innovative approach to traditional forms of social protest, radical cheerleaders are also challenging the traditional image of cheerleaders by questioning the purpose of cheerleading, who can be a cheerleader, and the stereotypes of cheerleaders. Radical cheerleaders have changed the persona of the cheerleader from athletic booster to social critic.

Although both traditional cheerleaders and radical cheerleaders use cheers to energize and motivate a crowd, qualifications for becoming part of the squad differ greatly for the two. Typically, the only requirement for becoming a radical cheerleader is agreement with the radical politics of the group. In fact, radical cheerleaders often deliberately dress to parody traditional cheerleaders by wearing red and black (anarchist colors) skirts, by females sporting unshaven armpits and legs, and by males donning skirts. The squad itself thus embodies a physical critique of the cheerleading stereotype. Further, many of the cheers revolve around women's and gay/lesbian rights.

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