12 January, 2000
Much has happened since I did my first essay on Anarchy about three weeks ago. Despite popular opinion, this journal is much more for me than for you, and I'm writing down my feelings and happenings in my life so that I can look back in the future and see what I've learned and, possibly, learn more from that.
Anarchy and Me: Part 2
I've been reading a lot of Goldman and Thoreau over the last six weeks and doing my homework on Anarchy and Punk Rock. I've watched that movie "SLC Punk" like seven times, and even though Laurie doesn't like it, I learned a lot from it. Putting the saddening plot of Matthew Lilliard's life as an Anarchist aside, the film carries some basic truths of the punk movement and it's relationship to the Stateless Society.
The basis of punk is fighting the system. Well, this is the basis that punk was founded on in the 1970's. Things are very different now, however. Punk has become four major things. 1) A fashion statement. I really don't need to go into that, as most people see it as this and this only. 2) A group in society "Those kids are punks" is said quite a bit, when in reality the statement should be "those kids are posers." But I'll get into that in more detail later on. 3) The original home of Anarchy in the world of Music. This is where punk begamn, with the Ramones and Sex Pistols leading the charge in the UK and in the Velvet Underground in NYC. And 4) my own little view of being punk and the main subject of this essay, punk is also a state of mind and a way of life that pushes for equality, stands against ignorance, and practices tollerance as one of the most important things in life.
1. "Kids who look like punks, but they do it for fashion!"
These are the kids who I want to beat down with the Equilizer (a contraption of my own device, consisting of a lead pipe, a handle, a steel valve that serves as a knuckleguard, and four rusty wood screws). However, I'm not into violence so I can't really get into fights, as that would compromise my position as a pacifist. But these kids are the ignorant bigots. And you should know, I don't want to hurt anybody because of how they dress, I want to show them that they're meddling with something that they haven't even tried to understand yet. Posers bug me a lot, and as much of a hypocritical statement as that is, I'm working on not being such a poser while they're buying their Blink 182 and calling themselves punk. Tell me that's not lame.
2. As a group in society, these are the kids who take the fashion statement further than studded leather belts and died hair. Chances are they own at least three NOFX cds and do indeed believe in fighting the system. However, the difference between these guys and people who really do like the Misfits is that Societal Punks (from here on known as SPs) are into the anti-establishment crap so that they can get into fights. What the hell is the point of that? That's even more bigotrous than just dying your hair red and calling yourself hardcore. I'd even dare to say that the kids who are into it just so that they can be into it are white trash. They have no footing in reality and live in a fantasy world of Unwritten Law and pop punk that, while catchy, is hardly pushing for anything besides a girlfriend.
The biggest problem with SPs is that they ruin it for the rest of the legitimate punkers. When society sees any kid with weird hair and labels him as a punk, then what does that make me? And where does that leave Face to Face? I'm not a delinquint. I'm an Honor Roll student taking AP and IB classes who plans on getting a masters degree or doctorate. I'm not an intellectual, I'm the intellegencia. I'm not an ignorant moron, I don't plan on wasting my gained knowledge, so where does that leave me as a punk? I didn't even look "punk" today! I wore khakis and a sweater from the Gap. So I guess, according to posers and society, I'm not "punk" because I'm not always wearing leather coats (actually, I don't wear leather or fur with the exception of two belts that were gifts and my Doc Martens because I don't support the murder of animals for clothing when there's plenty of cotton, wool, and polyester to go around). So the SPs don't deserve any respect. Actually, the kids who are fashion punks aren't a big threat to me. They like the music? Good for them! They want to look like an individual? More power to them!! But getting halfway into something like punk and anarchy, then using punk and anarchy as an excuse to be a pain in the ass? Not cool.
3. The Anarchists. I can't express my appreciation enough for these guys. Not only were they in it from the start, and not only did they create punk rock, but they (for the most part) are still in the scene, keeping it real, and still being as punk as ever. Steve-O and Heroine Bob from SLC Punk are about teh epitome of these kids, and I applaud the director and writer of that film for doing their homework on the punk scene. I really don't feel like explaining the meaning of punk to these guys, because if you don't already know, you probably don't care. But I will give Emma Goldman's definition of Anarchy, which is what the hardcore punks are pushing for:
The philosophy of a new social order based on liberty unrestricted by man-made law; the theory that all forms of government rest on violence, and are therefore wrong and harmful, as well as unnecessary.
I can't sum it up better than that. If you're really curious about the roots of punk and anarchy, then rent SLC Punk. Ignore the plotline if you must, but the film is partly a documentary, and it carries some good points across.
4. Punk and Me! Upfront and honestly, I am not an anarchist. I can't be, because I believe in God and Jesus Christ and I support the LDS Church, of which I am a member. I am into this whole punk rock thing for two major reasons: the music and the vibe.
The music is driving, catchy, full of harmony, and overflowing with emotion. I can't even begin to describe how I felt the first time I listened to the entire fourth Lagwagon album, Double Plaidinum. It's incredible! And by no means are such feelings of awe limited to Lagwagon. Really, none of the punk I listen to is gutter punk or hardcore punk or whatever you want to call it. I suppose Bad Religion is as close as I come, and even that is some of the most melodious, harmonic music on the shelf of any cd store. Well, what I'm writing now about music is a waste of time, as you either agree with me wholeheartedly, or else you completely disagree and will never, ever(!) buy a punk cd. But if I can recommend just one for you to start your punk-listenening-to experience, I suggest Big Choice by Face to Face. It's not the strongest political message out there, but it gets you in the groove for some of the more lyrically powerful stuff.
The vibe! What a stupid term, James! But there is definitely a feeling in the air at punk shows (along with a lot of burnt weed and other drugs). Everybody is just so happy and excited! Not just at shows, either. When me and Brandon argue about things in political terms, we carry a spirit of calmness, intelligence, and harmony that just isn't there when I discuss politics with somebody outside the punk realm. It seems like punk rock just brings everybody together for good causes. The best part about being a punk is that you develop a new sense of tollerance and start to want equality. Like, the kids in my history class that I used to hate are all really cool now that I've just given them a chance, you know? Everybody has character flaws (God knows I've got more than my fair share), and once you get past those little problems there lies another human being, one with individual likes and values or whatever. I don't miss hate at all. I don't miss prejudice, and I certainly don't miss being an ignorant bigot, looking down on every one who isn't exactly the same as me. If only everyone could feel the same way, right? Well you can, but you have to start the process. And as far as I'm concerned, listening to the right music in the right scene will only help your newfound lifestyle.
