So, You Think You’re Punk?

By: Lily Ronney

These are just a few of the modern symbols of the stereotype of “Punk”, which MTV has drilled into the brains of teenagers everywhere: Good Charlotte, Converse, trucker hats, The Ramones T-shirts, Dickeys, Sum 41, spike bracelets, studded belts, checker belts, the color combinations of black and red and bright pink and black.

Punk started as a musical concept of rebellion and counterculture in England, and has transformed to a concept and a state of mind. Although it’s idea has been altered so many times, many self described punks, or those who see others as “real punks” believe that punk is the state of being where a person no longer cares what others think. They do what they want. It is a type of rebellion in itself, but no longer the same as its beginnings with the original punk rock.

It is very common to see those who believe themselves to be punk. You can often tell by their “punk apparel”. While punk was once a small and uncommon group, it has become a very popular and customary thing to be.

Many of those who refer to themselves as punks don’t even have a clear image of what punk is. When asked, many either have a vague and wavering answer, or simply answer that since they listen to punk rock they must be punk. It makes no sense for so many people to believe they are something that they don’t even understand.

The actual definition of punk as found on dictionary.com is a young person, especially a member of a rebellious counterculture group. Rebelling and counterculture? Is that what this is? Many are also unaware that, by naming themselves as punk, they are also calling themselves “bum, cheap, cheesy, crummy,” and not to mention, “sleazy”. I can’t imagine all of those self-proclaimed “punks” would ever be willing to be known as “crummy” or sleazy”!

Nearly every other person you see when you walk around can fit into the “fake punk” or punk category. They just don’t know what they’re talking about, and are so full of hot air, they’re not willing to admit they don’t even understand the principal they have so much pride in.

Once the fads on MTV change, this phase of illegitimately overusing and overdoing someone else’s culture will end and people will go back to glaring at those with mohawks and continue to think they’re better with their designer clothes, expensive cars, and tight-fitting underwear.