This panel will engage questions of racial performance, national identity and nationalist display in a variety of 20th Century American girls' cultures. Emphasizing the historical importance of youth cultures and female collectivities, this panel will highlight the often-neglected political salience of girls' socializing and its public display. We wish to call attention to the way in which girls cultures have functioned in critical yet contradictory ways in the 20th Century US. While they have often been mobilized to reinforce hegemonic racial nationalism, they have also functioned as fundamental sites of contest and resistance along lines of gender, race, sexuality and generation at critical moments in collective identity formation.

The panel currently consists of two papers: one on girls' scouting and white impersonation of American "Indianness" in the early 20th century, and one on Cheerleading, regional pride and cross-community cultural exchange in postwar Los Angeles.

We are seeking submissions for a third paper which will address the above concerns and complement these papers. We are also seeking suggestions for senior scholars to approach to chair and comment on the panel. Submissions from all disciplines are encouraged.

Please send a 3-500 word abstract and 1-page cv to Katie Friedman at email below by January 10, 2000. To facilitate submission of the panel proposal, please indicate audio-visual needs. Electronic submissions, only please.

Please note that all participants must register for the annual meeting of the American Studies Association and be members of the ASA or one of its international or regional US affiliates.