#4 - Dawn Schafer Calls For a General Strike, or: Why We’re Obsessed with ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’

Come along with Maria and her guests Nicki, Emma, and Kelly: we’re going to Camp Moosehead with THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB (2020-present)! When Dawn Schafer and Claudia Kishi discover that only campers who can afford to pay a steep t-shirt fee are allowed to tie-dye, they set out to create an inclusive art class. Their attempts at making things right set off a revolution that includes civil disobedience, political prisoners, a Les Mis-esque barricade, and a campwide general strike. Digressions include anecdotes about camp recycling activism, cliquey Girl Scout troops, and the time Kelly’s campers protested her. We also briefly discuss other highlights from Season 1 of THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB.

For this episode, we recommend you watch THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB, Season 1, Episodes 9 and 10, ‘Hello, Camp Moosehead!’ Part 1 and 2, streaming on Netflix

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com

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ABOUT US:

MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead

NICKI MORRIS (she/her; recurring guest) is a union staffer who loves cats, corn, and comrades. Her favorite teen show is Degrassi because she knows we can "make it through" with solidarity! Enjoys watching criminal syndicate shows in all forms: The Wire, Claws, Good Girls, Killing Eve. Follow her on Twitter @NickiMorris321. 

EMMA ROSE (she/her; recurring guest) watches a lot—and she means a lot—of reality tv, with the occasional teen drama or murder mystery or sci-fi thriller thrown in for good measure. When she's not watching said television, you can find her listening to podcasts and diving into internet content about said television. Sometimes she posts on instagram @emmaaaaaroseeeee (5 a's and 5 e's)

KELLY GILBERT (she/her; guest) is a medical worker and union/teen drama stan living in Brooklyn. Follow her @baeblade5 on insta and @yungworker69 for sporadic, unhinged tweets!

MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com

JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.

Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned. 

intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats 

All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.

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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Babysitters Club is a union tweet

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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING:

Labor Notes’ Secrets of a Successful Organizer guide

The Baby-sitters Club book series, of course, if you never read them like all our guests!