historically more elections would have an anarchist candidate involved. There is a limited theory as too why anarcho-punk is fleeting and has less impact on political systems is because as critics, punks often choose to remove themselves from the system rather then participate in active change. I bring up the song where do you draw the line to continue the basis for support of the self-marginalized against the rest of society in describing why anarchy comes from punk:
Ever notice hard line radicals can go on star trips too
Where no one's pure and right except themselves
"I'm cleansed of the system." ( 'cept when my amp needs electric power)
Or-"the party line says no. feminists can't wear fishnets."
You wanna help stop war? well, we reject your application
You crack too many jokes and you eat meat
What better way to turn people off than to twist ideas for change
Into one more church that forgets we're all human beings
There is an inherit elitism in the idea that individuals become self-marginalized as they are no longer participants in the collective mainstream. This elitism often fosters a type factionalism based on differences of opinion or on conflict over deciding the best course of action towards reaching the same goal.
Anarchy in the UK: Two ideas on factionalism
An example of this factionalism can be seen in British anarchist ideology from the late seventies. A surge of popular interest in anarchism occurred during the 1970s in the UK following the birth of punk rock, in particular the situationist-influen ced graphics of Sex Pistols artist Jamie Reid, and that band’s first single, Anarchy in the UK.
However, while this early punk scene appropriated anarchist imagery mainly for its shock value, the band/anarchist collective known as Crass, expounded serious anarchist and pacifist ideas after forming in 1977. As such, many anarcho-punks became either supporters of issues such as animal rights, feminism, the anti-war movement, the anti-globalization movement, and many other social movements, or accepted a direct action approach to nihilistic anarchism, robbing, looting, assault and general lawlessness and riot. Though Crass espoused pacifism as a belief, this is not necessarily the case for all anarcho-punks, most favoring direct action, by its participants. An example of the obvious differences between political anarchy and lifestylism, or anarcho-punk can be made by a comparison between the “punk bands” Crass with The Exploited as two different types of anarcho-punk bands in England. A sample of the lyrics from The Exploited’s song, “I believe in Anarchy” is representative of basic nihilistic anarchy where politics are seldom considered, except as a way of escapism and a justification of rebellion and violence:
I believe in Anarchy, let's see you pogo!
GO!
I'm not ashamed of being a Punk
and I don't care and don't give a damn
and I don't care what you say
cause I believe in anarchy
I I I I'm not afraid
and I I I I I'm not ashamed
cause I still believe in anarchy
Go to a pub and pick up a byrd
you take her back for the casual fuck
you drive her home in your old mans car
but you have to go duchess cause you've got no doms
[Chorus]
I'm not afraid of having a Fight
and I’m not ashamed about getting drunk
and I don't care what you say cause
I believe in Anarchy
In the case of CRASS who viewed anarcho punk in a different context Direct action, although considered by some to be violent action is almost always deemed appropriate and sometimes necessary within context by its participants . Anarcho-punk has been highlighted as one of the social phenomena which took anarchism in the direction of identity politics, also described as lifestylism where ones daily lifestyle of dress, consumption, and idea became based on some form of personal political freedom. Where you shopped, what you bought, whether you were a carnivore or vegetarian, or your stance on eco-friendly or fair trade consumption reflected upon your anarchist principles. That crossed over into the United States with the lifestylism of straight edge punk, vegan punk, and others. Problematically, lifestylism does not always translate into how someone votes.
Punk ideology and Punk Voter
With Punk voter the ideology of punk societal rebellion is applied to today’s political situation in the United States. Punk Voter is a coalition of Punk bands, musicians, record labels and like minded organizations which aim to “educate, register and mobilize young voters.” They are about uniting the different youth movements into one voice for political change. Punk Voter arose out of its organizers ethos that punks have “always spoken out and preached social change no matter whether their political orientation is left or right.” Punk Voter also organized Rock against Bush a series of concerts which followed by CDs which were a compilation of songs from participating bands and DVD materials containing comedy skits as well as political video content. Punk Voter has three objectives: to activate punks and other young people to participate in elections. This objective focuses on getting young people to actually vote, to expose the chaotic policies of George W. Bush and his current administration. Punk Voter runs interactive and creative voter education programs by taking its message to the streets and including other interested groups, to build a coalition of informed voters who can “individually and collectively influence public policy”. I understand my research will not be all encompassing mostly because this subject is very broad with many sub genres and categories, but I believe my methodology is sound and a thorough study of available media will produce a substantial body of academic knowledge.
Works Cited:
The Sex Pistols Anarchy in the UK 1976 BMI
Charles Case McDermott meshes with punk band Anti-Flag March 29, 2006
Greg Graffin A Punk Manifesto Bad Times 12/98
Jessica Rosenberg; Gitana Garofalo Riot Grrrl: Revolution from within
Seth Kahn-Egan Interchanges Punk Comp and Beyond Pedagogy of the Pissed: Punk Pedagogy in the First-Year classroom
Dead Kennedys Where do you draw the line? 1986 Decay Music
W. Philips Shively The Craft of Political Research
Daniel S. Traber L.A.’s “White Minority”: Punk and the Contradictions of Self-Marginalization ”
www.punkvoter.co m
George Berger, The Story of Crass (Omnibus Press, 2006)
The Exploited I Believe in Anarchy from Punk’s Not Dead 1981
Craig Turnwall, The apparent indeterminable classification of counterculture: An essay on punk culture and thought
Craig O'Hara, The Philosophy of Punk, AK Press, 1999
William Tsitsos, Rules of Rebellion: Slamdancing, Moshing, and the American Alternative Scene, Oct., 1999 Cambridge University Press http://links.jstor.o rg/sici
Geoffrey Sirc, Never Mind the Tagmemics, Where's the Sex Pistols?
College Composition and Communication > Vol. 48, No. 1 (Feb., 1997), pp. 9-29
Blog Category: News and Politics
Playing (Music): Six Pack (W/ Mike Patton ) from Rise Above the West Memphis 3 CD
Current mood: accomplished
Added on: 05/12/2006 14:33:04
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