the story of a gay hoe (aka b3a)

Not everything has to be punk. Okay? Not everything has to be punk.

I mean that’s nothing new that I’m saying here, a lot of other people have been saying it. Like “you can have a jacket with patches without it being a punk jacket” this is true! Not everything has to be punk.

Some things can just be an act of resistance, or kindness.

Picture this, if you will:

A group of stereotypical punk kids walk into a Walmart, covertly steal things like toiletries, clothing, stuffed animals, pet supplies, blankets, etc. They then drive to the local shelter and donate those things to people in need while sticking it to the large corporations.

That’s pretty punk, right?

Now imagine someone in clothes from Forever 21 (RIP) going around and shoplifting things they want.

Is that punk?

Imagine putting together a show of local punk bands who are volunteering to play because it’s going to be a charity show, and they’re taking the proceeds from ticket sales, button sales, sticker sales, and patch sales and they’re going to donate it to an organization.

Pretty punk, don’t you think?

Now, a church organizes a bake sale and the proceeds go to that same organization.

You see where I’m going here?

What’s the difference between these things? Is it the aesthetic? The intention? Who is really to say.

In my opinion, which, might I remind you, really isn’t worth all that much, we put too many things that can just be called “an act of kindness” or “an act of resistance” into the “man this is so punk!” pile. It doesn’t need to be there.

On that note, not EVERYTHING you do has to be punk. You can set up a bake sale or steal shit you want without it being “punk”. You’re allowed to be multifaceted. And I don’t think there’s some specific quota on “how much punk stuff you do” to call yourself punk. I sure as hell don’t think I’m making MY quota if that’s the case.