About the Rant:
"I was talking to a few friends of mine and I asked them out of curiousity and said, 'What do y'all think punk is.' One commented that punk is a style. Being what I am, a smart ass, I simply asked him to explain why he thinks punk is a style. From there we argued about what it takes to be a punk. I recited the quote Greg Graffin said and they came to sense that punk isn't a style, it's a state of mind."
What is 'Punk'
By: Kevin
I’ve met a lot of people who have different standpoints and perspectives on what it is to be a punk. Some say it’s personal image and that being punk should be known without asking. Others say that punk is a personal expression that comes from growing up in touch with our ability to ask questions. At least that’s what Greg Graffin of Bad Religion says. Very few people nowadays know the real meaning of being punk, the idea has been washed in the washing machine a few times, it wears down and changes color each time you wash it. Today’s punk expressions consist of studded jackets, Mohawks, spiked dog collars worn by people, 18-00 gauge ear rings, and mascara worn by men; these things are not punk, they are a symbol of image like the clothes you wear.
Maybe if you wear a studded jacket or mascara you really are punk, maybe not. Personal imagery isn’t the only thing kid’s today express that they have what it takes to be a punk, many resort to drugs and alcohol abuse. Today’s media foully has a misunderstanding on punk as being rebellious or wearing clothes that you might buy at Hot Topic. I look at myself in the mirror and what do I see? I see a teen male wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt with shaggy hair. I tell people that I’m punk, of course from my clothes, personality etc. they do not believe me. Those are the kind of people who do not know what punk really classifies as. Just remember, it’s not how you dress, it’s not at all how you act, it is how you think.
The media is advertising punk as a style or fashion. This is where the ingenious activity begins. Musicians, TV, radio, and celebrities are what some would call idols or icons; what they do or say is a verse from the bible to some people. Why does media have anything to do with this? Simple, to make money, lots of money. I'm not saying they shouldn't be aloud to advertise punk as a style, I'm simply saying that people are starting to think punk is a style because of the media.
Musicians are the majority blame in all of this. The mass of people who call themselves punk think punk comes from what genres of music they listen to. Green Day, for example, is today’s ‘punks’. Before I state my feelings on this subject let me clarify something. I like Green Day, I enjoy their music. But people want to be like Billie Joe of Green Day, the way he dresses and looks people classify that as punk. Again, I am talking about physical features that some would call punk. They’re wrong.
Punk is being an individual, one who stands out from the others, one who is unique. "Punk is the personal expression of uniqueness that comes from the experiences of growing up in touch with our human ability to reason and ask questions." Greg Graffin of Bad Religion. My favorite quote of all time; that is what I think punk is. That is what punk is.
Punk has been around longer than people think. Yes, before the 70s and 80s, before The Ramones. Punk is the ability to be original and unique. Punk is a personal uniqueness that makes us human. Everyone has a little bit of punk in them. If you hate punk, that’s your opinion, that’s what you think as an individual… See, you’re getting it already. Everyone is punk in a way.
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Don't forget to visit our Scenic Pictures: Kevin had asked a few friends to send him some scenic pictures they took themselves. If you've got any pictures E-Mail them to us. Don't forget to include where you were when you took them, what the picture is of, and your first name. We give all credit by frist names only. E-Mail them to The Writers, Click here
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