The Philosophy of Punk

For a more informative look on the punk movement, rather than visual, I read the book titled, The Philosophy of Punk: More than Noise! by Craig O’Hara. Many think of punk and only think of the fashion, and perhaps the music, but punk was much more than that, and in fact, it’s the ‘more’ that I’m taking the most inspiration from. I’m more interesting in their thinking, ideologies and morals. Below are quotations I found useful, inspiring or wish to use as part of my own message.

• “There is a current feeling in modern society of an alienation so powerful and widespread that it has become commonplace and accepted… Perhaps in the late 20th century we cannot remember a time without such feelings and that we are now merely inheriting the negative structures which cause alienation.” (pg 21)
• “Human beings act as if they can have nothing in common with each other. It is as if we have all been brought here to function for ourselves in a way that does not include others.” (pg 22) He goes on to say sometimes an alienated group will realise what’s happening to them (out-group) and either try to fit into the mainstream, or form their own ‘subculture.’ What subcultures can succeed in doing is ‘to imbue their member with some sense of higher purpose’ (ibid. 51). Not always positive, e.g. KKK.
• “‘Punk in Britain was essentially a movement consisting of underprivileged working-class white youths. Many of them felt their social situations deeply and used the medium of Punk to express their dissatisfaction.’ (ibid, 67) The most hated thing in the world was someone who was a willing conformist… The noted Elliot Aronson defines conformity as the following, ‘a change in someone’s behave of opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or a group of people.’ (Elliot Aronson, The Social Animal, Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 1972, 16.)
  Punk question conformity not only by looking and sounding different (which has debatable importance), but by questioning the prevailing modes of thought.” (pg 27) Example could be the pressure to be either Catholic or Protestant and hate whichever you are not, Punks rejected and resisted this pressure. Must encourage those in N.I. to think for themselves instead of just accepting the norm.
• NOTE: Look into Punk and Dadaism/Futurism/as an art form.
• “While useful at the time, and still fun today, shocking people with appearances has taken a back seat to shocking people with ideas.” (pg 34) Why not both???
• “Punk is a formidable voice of opposition. ‘We have created our own music, our own lifestyle, our own community, and our own culture… We are building a movement based on love, taking actions in hope some day peace may eventually be achieved.’ (Profane Existence #4, June 1990)” (pg 41) This is not the popular version of punk shown in the media, it’s shown as only being hateful, not loving.
• NOTE: LOOK UP PUNK ZINES AS INSPO FOR YOUR OWN ZINE. (pg 62)
• “When it comes to choosing a political ideology, Punks are primarily anarchists. There are few who promote the continuation of capitalism or communism…
  The European scene has had a larger amount of anarchist fanzines and bands, resulting in the European Punks historically being more politically active than their North American counterparts.” (pg 71)
• “Punks have turned to anarchism as an alternative to the world’s existing systems and continual cycle of oppression each revolution brings… Punk reject communism and the left wing of traditional democratic governments as well as capitalism. Reforms made by ruling parties are often condemned as statist (favoring the maintenence of a formal government) and superficial. Reforms are granted to appease and not to free the people involved.
  ‘By refusing to be controlled you are taking your own life into your own hands, and that is, rather than the popular idea of anarchy is not a chaotic bedlam where everyone is out for themselves.’ (ibid) Where individuals live with other individuals in trust and with respect.” (pg 72) Can I compare to current state (or lack of) government, or Brexit issues?
• “People ‘are conditioned by society to exploit each other and this is necessary for the system to operate. Surely is a child was exposed to good pacifistic, humanitarian ideas, as opposed to those the child now encounters on a daily basis, it would have a totally different attitude towards society and the world as a whole.’ (New York band A.P.P.L.E, MRR #48, April 1987)'” (pg 84)
• NOTE: Look up Positive Force group of activists. (pg 85)
• “The faith that Punks and other activists place in anarchy stems from a belief in equality and rights of people. This view of equality is explicitly clear in Punks’ visible relation to sexism, homophobia, racism, and even speciesism.” (pg 100) Something I stand for and want to encourage through my work!!
• NOTE: Pro choice groups/sexism exists in the Punk community but it’s usually met with backlash from other punks, they’re also known to urge queers to kiss in public to ‘save’ any closeted Youngs kids who may see. Using their famous shock factor for good???? (pg 118)