Theoretical political ideologies have always had a place in the history of political development. When one looks back, it is easy to track these ideas and how they influenced our philosophers, founding fathers, civil rights leaders, teachers, and parents. John Locke, Plato, Aristotle, Fred Hampton, FDR, Napoleon, Che, and even Kurt Cobain each in their own right contributed to both the theoretical and applied political landscape. Punk is not only a genre of dress and tune but a political ideological movement. While punk today is associated with aesthetics of baggy clothes and loud music in the mainstream, in its foundation it is a political movement surrounding the leftist tenets of anti-establishment, anti-capitalism, feminism, and individual freedom.
The world first saw the debut of punks in the UK in the 1970s. [1] Due to the unique aesthetic of punk, it has often been co-opted by people who do not align politically with the ideologies of the movement; those who use the movement purely to dress up and listen to edgy tunes. Unfortunately for those who want to erase politics from punk, “punk is all about and established in counter-culture. You stray from the norms, radicalize yourself, and fight for an end to working-class struggles and economic inequalities. ” [2] Punks didn’t start wearing tattered and patched pants because it looked “sick”, they did it because they were not able to afford new ones. When punks came along strikes were prominent as the cost of living was steeply increasing while pay did not. Economic downturn paired with civil unrest created a perfect storm for the counterculture, the anti-establishment, and anti-capitalist movement of punk to come to life. Written into early punk band’s mottos and mantras are ideas of standing up to the consuming greed of the rich, condemning scabs who cross picket lines and in turn withdraw support for fair wages, and freeing oneself from the idea that you must conform to be respected. The main ideas of anti-establishment, personal freedom, and anti-capitalism would carry on after the 70s.
During the 70s, punk would make its way across the pond where bands like the Ramones, Dead Kennedys, and Minor Threat would gain momentum in the music industry while a bustling American punk scene came to life. It was during Reagan’s presidency that the American punk scene was said to have its coming of age moment. [3] When both the U.K. and the U.S. experienced a highly controversial leader paired with economic turmoil is when the punk movement gained momentum. As humans do, when we are under duress we take note from those who have experienced similar circumstances to get through. The punk scene in the US would evolve similarly to the scene in the UK to encompass not only past tenets, but also to include the liberation of women.
Political movements grow and change as they get older. New ideas come to the forefront and new people have a say. The way the punk scene has been used as a vessel to advocate for more equal treatment of women is well documented. Riot grrrl is a genre of music, typically with an all female band or at least a female lead, that originated in Olympia, Washington in a meeting meant to address the rampant sexism in the punk scene. The name came from an idea to have a girl riot against a society that “offered no validation for women’s experiences.” More than just torn dresses and women screaming, riot grrrl was a “vital part of third-wave feminism.” [4] The riot grrrl movement is arguably one of the most vital movements to stem from the punk movement. The “universal mission was to offer a sort of radical feminist camaraderie” amongst all women, but especially those on the outskirts of society who already found themselves vulnerable. [5] Riot grrrl pushes the envelope for what is acceptable for women, it is not enough to just allow women the same rights, but let them defy societal expectations, women can be horse and ugly and loud and yet still deserving of basic human decency and respect.
Punk is often now seen as a mere genre of music and type of dress, but in reality it goes beyond that. It is a powerful and empowering counter culture that can be used to free oneself from unhealthy, unrealistic, and binding societal pressures and expectations. Punk is a political tool and ethos that many can gain inspiration from when addressing injustices on both a personal and systemic level. So be punk. Free yourself from the expectations that bind you from more personal growth and happiness, question authority, and never cross a picket line.
