Voices from the Edge

Reporting on Feminist Punk in Buenos Aires

By Shelby Swanson

As a queer woman in sports journalism, I’ve always focused on crafting overlooked narratives — whether exploring self-expression in women’s basketball or diving into issues of diversity in college baseball. I fervently believe the most compelling stories are found on the edges, in spaces where culture and identity collide. I carry this perspective (and a great deal of gratitude) with me as I embark on my current project with MEJO 584: International Projects in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

One of the first times I merged my passion for sports writing and my Spanish language skills was when I reported on La Liga Del Sol — a grassroots soccer league in Raleigh — last year. This league, founded by Ramón Gallardo Sr., was built to provide Latino youth in the Triangle with the opportunity to play soccer without the financial barriers of traditional clubs.

This experience was a turning point for me. It allowed me to blend my studies in Media and Journalism with Hispanic Literatures and Cultures while creating a story that intertwined my passions for sports, language and culture.

So, when the opportunity arose to report on music in Buenos Aires, it felt like a no-brainer.

Our team initially set out to explore Argentina’s trap music scene and how artists use their music to voice frustrations about ongoing economic instability. However, in recent weeks, we’ve shifted our focus to Argentina’s vibrant feminist punk movement. Punk bands are challenging patriarchal structures, fighting gender violence and resisting political oppression under President Javier Milei. Through interviews with bands, activists and fans, we hope to explore the power of music as a form of resistance, especially as feminist gains are under attack.

I’m thrilled to dive deeper into this project. Our time in Buenos Aires promises to reveal untold stories and offer fresh perspectives on how feminist punk — and music as a whole — is transforming Argentina’s political and cultural landscape.

And this is just the beginning of our journey.