Ritelli

the stark reality is that if they announced there was 24 hours before a giant comet hit the earth, i would find reason to fight and advocate and celebrate in the ensuing chaos up to the final seconds.

punk is walking into every situation and punching it in the mouth regardless of how big it is or the dominion it holds over your existence.

punk is hope and growth and love and fury and anger and passion and spit in the face of hostile forces.

punk is community and mutual aid and soup kitchens and block parties and festivals and little libraries and clothes drop boxes.

punk is dancing on the deck of a sinking ship because hey you motherfuckers i didn’t hear the music stop.

punk is having the hope for something better on behalf of those who can’t see it right now.

In my AP Art class, there was a girl who was just starting to experiment with mixed media. At this point she was still playing around, trying to decide what direction she wanted to go with her portfolio. So one critique day, she brought in an abstract canvas with some rhinestone highlights and painted and real peacock feathers. She loved sparkles and peacock feathers so she thought she’d try introducing them a *little*. And after everyone had given some input, the teacher gave her his advice, VERY roughly paraphrased here:

“So here’s the thing… I do not like this style. These are just elements that do not speak to me personally, but I see that you like them, and you’re doing interesting things with them.

“My biggest critique is, I only merely *dislike* this piece. I want you to make me HATE it. Go crazy with the things that you like. Don’t hold back trying to make it palatable to people like me. Because I am NEVER going to like it. And if the audience does not like it, it should drive them crazy seeing how much YOU love it.”

Her portfolio was chock full of neon colors and glitter and rhinestones and splashes of peacock feathers and it was a delight. Our teacher despised every piece lol, but she got great marks and I think even won some awards. And more importantly, she was happy and proud of the results. Because she didn’t limit herself by trying to appeal to people who were never going to enjoy what she enjoyed.