In 1996, Cara Jennings, then 19, and her sister Aimee started the Radical Cheerleaders in their hometown of Lake Worth, Fla., a town of 35,000 north of Ft. Lauderdale. Their fishnet-stocking, punked-out leather outfits and shredded garbage bag pom-poms caught on, as did their obscenity-laced chants against the neo-liberal agenda, the WTO and various other political causes. As the worldwide… return to article
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Reader Comments (7)Page 1 of 1 pagesCara seems like a refreshing face, I wish her well.
Posted by Anti-War Conservative on Jun 14, 2006 at 7:58 AM Ms. Jennings is an excellent example of leadership. Stelzer article is well-written, focused on change at the local level, where activism really can make a big impact. Whether Cara were a Communist, anarchist, or whatever is clearly less important than what she does to benefit her town.
Lake Worth as I know it is a nice little town, with a good walking district and superior restaurants. I’d recommend it as a more peaceful alternative to the glitz of SoBe, etc..
I especially like the fact Cara took initiative. I think the question for inthesetimes readers is the one Cara asked herself, “can I do a better job than others who are running?”
Cara knew her town better and had extensive understanding of how her town works (practical administration of local government.) Rather than present an ideology, she presents solutions to average people’s problems on an ongoing basis.
The fact Cara came from outside the existing political structure was insignificant to the people of Lake Worth who, through direct contact with her, came to see her first and foremost as a fellow citizen who cared, regardless of her “politics.”
Cara sets an important example for those of us who criticize incessantly yet never get involved. Local government does allow people of vision opportunities, assuming they’re willing to do the hard work.
Thinking globally helps, but acting locally really does put progressive ideas into play. Change may take a while, but it’s by taking action like Cara did that we can change each of our little pieces of the universe one at a time.
Posted by TruthTelR on Jun 14, 2006 at 11:50 AM First good news in many years. I wish Cara all the best. Her name suits her ("face" in Spanish, “dear” in Italian). She sure is a dear face to those who, like myself, share her views.
Posted by Maria on Jun 15, 2006 at 2:57 PM You GO Cara!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/Knaustin/icon_cheerleader.gif
Posted by BlueButterfly on Jun 15, 2006 at 4:35 PM It would be a wonderful world if human nature would allow the governing of ourselves by consensus. Perhaps in the far far future. . .
Posted by wolf on Jun 19, 2006 at 12:37 PM I’m glad to see that so many of you live in fantasy land. Development is the main econmic force that drives S Florida. Florida Hometown Democarcy act sounds good but it will ruin our economy. If you want examples look no further than Daina Beach. Their anti-growth policy has turned an area that should be beautiful and vibrant into a slum. If your city gets known for being anti-growth, developers will pass you by. Then, when the tax base dwindles and the city becomes “demographically Challenged,” your replacements will be begging developers to come back; by then it will be too late.
Who wanted to live in Delray Beach near Atlantic Ave until that area was redeveloped. It is unrealistic to believe that a city can stay the same forever; they only go up or down and your property values goes with it. It’s time to grow up and understand the real world.
Posted by dduck on Sep 13, 2006 at 4:17 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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