Feels Blind

Bikini Kill's 'Feels Blind' is a powerful anthem of feminist rebellion and critique of societal norms. The song's lyrics, delivered with raw intensity, reflect the frustration and disillusionment of women who have been taught to conform to a world that offers them nothing in return. The imagery of doves with sticky wings and standing in the doorway of demise encapsulates a sense of entrapment and the struggle to break free from oppressive teachings. The repeated question, 'How does it feel?' followed by the answer 'It feels blind,' underscores the sense of being lost and disoriented in a world that fails to provide meaningful guidance or support.

The song delves into the theme of sensory deprivation as a metaphor for the lack of true understanding and empathy in a patriarchal society. The lines 'If you were blind and there was no braille' and 'If you could see but were always taught what you saw wasn't fucking real' highlight the absurdity and cruelty of being denied the tools to navigate one's reality. This metaphor extends to the broader experience of women, who are often taught to doubt their own perceptions and feelings, leading to a profound sense of disconnection and alienation.

Kathleen Hanna's fierce delivery of the lines 'As a woman I was taught to always be hungry' and 'We'd even eat your hate up like love' speaks to the internalized oppression and the ways women are conditioned to accept and even embrace their mistreatment. The repetition of 'I eat your hate like love' is a defiant declaration of resilience and the ability to transform pain into strength. The song's closing lines, 'I'd eat your fucking face all the time,' are a visceral expression of anger and a refusal to be silenced or subdued. 'Feels Blind' is a rallying cry for women to reject the false teachings of a patriarchal world and to reclaim their power and agency.