Moxie

Vivian’s Moxie zines symbolize her voice and become the method by which she decides to speak out about the discomfort and unfairness she sees around her. She uses the medium of a zine partly because of her available resources but also because it connects her with the rebellious spirit her mother displayed when she was Vivian’s age. Vivian is afraid to speak up among people other than her close friends, so distributing the zines around school allows Vivian to make her voice heard; her speaking up encourages other girls to use their voices as well. Echoing the Riot Grrrl manifesto, Moxie is a way for Vivian to list what she views as unfair, and it becomes an organizing and communication tool, calling girls to collective action. The asshole stickers represent how Vivian is learning to identify harassment and is becoming more willing to call it out. When she sees reactions to the Moxie issue that criticize it for being more angry than organizing, Vivian learns a lesson about channeling anger and using social justice movements for concrete results.