Unity
Have you ever wondered what the big difference is between all these punks that you might see on the street or at a show? There happens to be a very big difference which in many ways is detrimental to the sub-culture as a whole.
There are many ideological differences that exist between the different groups of punks. As you can see in the photo above, this is what some perceive to be as a street punk or a chaos punk. They typically are considered to be enveloped in a world of apathy, leading them to substance abuse and an overall defeatist attitude in regards to political and social situations. They typically find their image to be one of the most, if not “the most” important aspect of their status within their sub-culture. The fashion varies significantly but usually includes leather jackets, boots, tight pants, spiked hair, etc. They are usually nihilistic in nature, generally embracing the concept of “nothing” or “no purpose” as a primary philosophy.
On the other side of the fence you have people who gain their primary “punk” influence from the Anarcho-Punk portion of the sub-culture. They usually have strong points of view regarding politics and ethics, often embracing a lifestyle of anti-consumerism and autonomy. They embrace the ethos of DIY and believe that the majority of change comes from yourself and not outside reliance. They oppose all forms of hierarchy, including religion and government. They often dispel the misconceptions of what people too often think Anarchy to be by explaining the concept of a society without hierarchy and authority but not necessarily without order. They embrace the ethic of “strive to survive causing the lease amount of suffering possible” by embracing a vegan and often straight edge life style.
The reason I wrote these descriptions is to point out some varying factors between the people who consider themselves “punks” because it is important to recognize them and embrace them. There is an established bond between us yet our scene remains divided because of these petty differences. It is important to embrace our differences in order to establish a real base of culture and actually make a change in the way that people think.
Maybe you like The Exploited, I like Crass. Music is music. If you really want to see changes then don’t prejudge ethos based on musical preference and instead base it on the actually doctrine of beliefs these people actually have.
Fin.