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Have you ever been so infuriated at something that you feel obligated to retaliate or state your case? Maybe when you are walking through town and isolated out by a Christian cult who claim you to be the work of Satan... for having red hair! Or when old people go on about the youth of today, making sure that you are in ear shot range?
Well, I saw something like that, and it was the one thing that upsets me more then anything.... and that is stereotyping. Why must we all be in pre-defined brackets in today’s society? I mean, it isn't exactly politically correct is it?
Here we are in the year 2000 and still we feel everyone must have their pigeon-hole to fit into the clique of everyday society. It's funny isn't it how just a few decades ago, black & Asian people were typecast on a regular basis... it's now called racism. And when it happened to ladies.... they were typecast as well and no-one thought much of it, now if it happens, a court case isn't far away.
Now, with these kind of typecasts, it is socially acceptable because it is based of physical attributes like skin colour and gender. These, although I don't conform to accept such 'labels', I can acknowledge, and live with. The ones I can't abide by are the stereotypes for musical diversity. The definition and stereotyping, DEFINETLY more the stereotyping, of punks, metallers and the so called 'Alternative' culture.
Here is a question for you all.. what ACTUALLY is punk? Think about it... what is it? If you said mohicans, the late 70's and The Sex Pistols... no, that was the music scene. Punk is an attitude.... and this is where it gets scary... your mum is probably punk. Scary though, huh? As is your dad, your little sister and grandma.
'How can this be!?! ' I hear you exclaim. Well here is the reason.... Punk means being yourself. Just living to your own ideal without conforming to others views just for the sake of it. Not the wallet chain wearing skate boarders you see in town... although, they are punk providing they are doing what they like BECAUSE they like it, rather then trying to fit in with a sub-culture.
I am punk. I have always claimed to be, ever since I knew what it meant which would have been when I was 13 or 14 or so. I knew that was for me because what ever I saw as being good was fine... I could listen to Therapy? and Erasure and Enya and it was fine... that’s punk.
If I believed some peoples views on punk or metallers or whatever, I would wear these large trousers and swear a lot and be so upset with the world and basically, be self centred. Well, let me tell you a secret... I LIKE Korn and Limp Bizkit and Bloodhound Gang, and have done since their first albums for all 3 bands... and, are you ready for this... I am NOT monosyllabic.. can you believe that, I am actually considered intelligent... but how can that be if I like the afore mentioned bands? It is because I don't fall into the stereotype that is formulated by people who feel that everyone has their place in society.. even if it is as an outsider.
So, with this in mind, those people who have been typecast and feel wronged by and made one of the flock.... metallers, rockers, goths and hippies alike... let us all join under 1 flag... the flag of individuality, be true, be happy and, above all, despite how much the hierarchy tries to break you and make you feel isolated, be happy!!!!!
