The color pink represents to me everything that is helping kill punk. I know there are people out there who believe punk is dead; I think it is just wounded and hiding beneath the fads and trends. To explain why I’m blaming pink I feel I need to discuss what punk is. There are many different ideas, thoughts, and opinions behind the basis of punk (Notice I said Ideas, Thoughts, and Opinions; not clothes, fashion, hair color, or piercing). I can only touch on some due to the limit of length my article can be so let me get started.

Yes I will agree there is a certain visual that you get when you think of punk: Mohawks, combat boots, anarchy signs, or baggy clothes. But originally these were statements not fashion. What statements you might ask? Well get ready you might just learn something. It was not about fitting in at school, or with your friends or to make your parents mad because they grounded you from TV. No, it was a way of demonstrating originality, free thinking, showing society you do not have to conform. By breaking down the barriers of what is accepted or expected you can see the flaws of society hidden behind the mask of “everything is how it should be”.

Poverty, racism, sexism, animal rights, anti-war, injustice and anti-capitalism are just a few of the many causes punks fight for or against. Have an understanding that the norms of society are not necessarily the best. Take a look around, how many things can you see that are wrong with the world? Not just at your school but on the streets. People are being treated different because of their race, sex, or economic status while everyone just sits around and watches from the windows of their favorite store. Question the traditional beliefs (and I’m not talking about religion), and never be afraid to speak out. Speak out loud; put what is wrong right in the face of the oppressor. When you stand up know what it is you are fighting for, and know how to fight for it.

Being “punk” is not starting fights on the street or getting drunk all the time. It is about realizing the government does not always have your best interest in mind, especially if you are lower class. The government has been set up in a way that with their monopolies and capitalist production for only profit help keep the rich, rich. Meanwhile it creates an invisible barrier holding other classes in their place with very little chance of moving up. But besides that think of all the other things that are in the news. Do you think we should be at war, what about same sex marriages, or abortions? Whatever your thoughts on these issues how will you feel when a group of people you never met decide on if you can or can not do these things? Is that fair?

Punks find unity in the fact that we are all discontent in some way about the way things are going. Together as a whole we can speak out our thoughts and show there are people who are not just going to take it. That we want changes made to better our life and the lives of others. Still think that those $15 anarchy wrist bands make you punk? Where did you buy them? How many more sets were there? Well there you go you have just overlooked some of the biggest causes for punks. You are now wearing what society deems a trend. That means someone in a big office looks around and sees what age bracket is buying the most c.d.’s, or clothes, or whatever. When they see the age they talk about what they could market. Because of stores, commercials, and movies telling you that blue is the big thing, or you should wear two different shoes people do it. The company then sells all their merchandise to people who do not know what it means but knows they will be cool at school the next day.

That is what happened to punk. They took the idea, drew up some patterns and pumped out racks filled with safety pin covered items. The punk look is no longer a statement against what is wrong with the world. When you buy all those items you are just lining the pockets of those that represent everything you stand against. So at this point I will get back to why I chose to target the color pink and not stores like Hot Topic.

When dressing punk became a fad it was still limited to who would wear it. How do you sell clothes from a scene based around dark, dirty, spiked, almost evil appeal? Is it possible to get the interest of a wider range of people? Let’s think what if it was made softer, less threatening, and almost cuddly. How about adding the color of Easter bonnets, babies blankets, Peeps bunnies, oh yes I’m talking about PINK. And you know what it worked. Schools are no longer trying to suspend kids for dressing punk. I mean who would suspend the whole cheerleading squad?

Let me let you in on a little something. Punk is meant to be gritty, used clothes, and a hardened look. It is to represent the cold bare truth. It is to demonstrate the misgivings of capitalism and how consumerist can live ignorant lives. This is kind of hard to do when you are decked out in brand new designer pink “punk” clothes. Some punks only have one or two real outfits, and some of the reasons for that is because they will not just hand over their money to large corporations. And when you went shopping did you debate on if you should get just one more shirt?

Punks dressed different not to be cool but to demonstrate that everyone doesn’t have to wear the same clothes. No one is exactly the same. It is pointless to spend all your money on trying to be. Punk was started on the whole DIY (do-it-yourself) mentality. Their outfits weren’t a pre-packaged deal, safety pins weren’t already symmetrically places, and the designs were made from white out not a factory. They didn’t care if things were even or straight, it was about the message sent by the visuals. Punk music too was based on simplicity and DIY.

A reaction to how commercial music had become punk was born. Three chords, angry loud vocals, rebellious attitudes, and demands for social change are just the tip of the ice berg of the music. So you listen to Good Charlotte and Blink 182, which might be good bands, but I hate to inform you they are not punk. They are pop-punk at best. There is no real message being sent out. To quote Johnny Rotten it is “sheer, brazen honesty”, not fart jokes or making fun of each other. It is recorded in your garage quality sound, with you struggling to make out the yelling angry vocals. You have to make them out though because there is a message and you have to know what it is. You have to understand. It is going to a tiny, smoke filled, falling down club and feeling a common link with everyone there. The energy, the anger, and the knowledge that this world has too change circles around you. That you need to reject your race, your class, you need to realize that none of that matters. Those things are just a part of oppression, the very thing we fight against. Curious? Want to experience this? Spread out your taste in music; realize there are more real punk bands out there than Sex Pistols, and Ramones. Feel free to email me for a list if you like. I’m not going to take up space here for those who won’t even give them a try.

Ok I assume that all of you dressing punk know that an A in a circle stands of anarchy; but do you know what it means? The definition is a state of lawlessness and disorder. Sound cool? Perhaps you should read a little more. The actual theories behind it do not mean just chaos, or mass disorder. It’s not supporting violence; in fact it is the belief that man is naturally good and with a rational outlook can live in peace and complete freedom. The Encyclopedia Britannica states that “man would not be limited in the free exercise of his powers…guided in his actions by his own understanding… to obtain the full development of all his faculties”. Not only will humans reach their full development but “the fullest measure of individual liberty and equality may prevail” (Handbook of Political ISMS).

Have you thought of the world in this way? Did you realize that anarchy means more than no laws or police? It means that the only way for anarchy to work is that you, me, the world can demonstrate what real humanity is and work together; not just take whatever, and do whatever without fear of repercussions. Is that what you meant as you doodled it on your notebook or shoes? I’m not trying to pass judgment on anyone. What I’m trying to do is help educate and encourage you to be more educated. However if I have offended anyone I’m not sorry. Part of being punk is being willing to speak out and spread messages that are often in opposition to the mainstream, or seen as unpopular. So even if I have made someone mad at least I made you think. Now that I have you thinking here are a few more things to ponder.

Are you going against the mainstream when you are dressed like everyone else, and listening to the same music? Are you asking or seeing what other people’s favorite bands, songs, and c.d.’s are so you can have the same? Do you even really like it? Think for yourself, choose what YOU like. Trust me it will make you happier. The “Punk Manifesto” by Greg Graffin says “punk is: personal expression of uniqueness that comes from growing up in touch with our human ability to reason and ask questions”. Ask questions, why do I have to dress a certain way to fit in? Break down the barriers, be yourself.

Now I’m sure some of you out there are thinking “I don’t dress this way just to fit in, I did know what anarchy means, and I am educated”. Besides the fact I want to tilt my head sideways and ask “Really?” as I examine your professionally styled and colored hair, I remind you what educated means. It is not memorizing the booklet of a c.d., or quoting what the “punkiest” guy in your school thinks, or being able to repeat a Blink song; it is understanding. Educated is understanding the meaning behind it and how it works. Not just being able to repeat it back and accepting whatever it may mean. Hearing something and knowing whether or not you agree and being able to explain why.

Alright so now you’ve read what I have to say. I’m sure some are thinking I have it all wrong and for some of you I might. I mean new punks are born everyday and someone has to carry on the fight. But for others maybe in sixth to eight months when those punk clothes are being donated or thrown out please remember this article before you go jumping to the next fad of poodle skirts or parasols. Be yourself. To quote one of my favorite lines in SLC Punks Steve-O says “posers are people who look like punks, but they did it for fashion”.

Now for those of you who want to be real punks, you have a tough journey and a lot to learn. However that is what being a real punk is, taking the road less traveled and at times making your own. I will encourage you to watch SLC Punks, read the Punk Manifesto, and checkout www.punkvoter.com. Know there are many more bands out there than the ones on the radio. Know the difference in punk, gutter punk, pop-punk, and even ska. Know that there are problems in the world and decide what’s important to you. Know there are things you can do and do it.

By the way I’m Pandora, I’m new around here. I know this is defiantly an odd way of making a first impression; but I’ve never been good with those anyway. I think when something is important you should do something about it. Hopefully I didn’t upset too many people to lose my job and perhaps I’ll get to write some more. Let me know what you think. Now I will say goodbye and leave you with one more quote from Johnny Rotten “it’s all about being yourself. Be a…individual.”


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