Not everything has to be punk. Okay? Not everything has to be punk.
I mean thatâs nothing new that Iâm saying here, a lot of other people have been saying it. Like âyou can have a jacket with patches without it being a punk jacketâ 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.
Thatâs pretty punk, right?
Now imagine someone in clothes from Forever 21 (RIP) going around and shoplifting things they want.
Imagine putting together a show of local punk bands who are volunteering to play because itâs going to be a charity show, and theyâre taking the proceeds from ticket sales, button sales, sticker sales, and patch sales and theyâre going to donate it to an organization.
Pretty punk, donât you think?
Now, a church organizes a bake sale and the proceeds go to that same organization.
You see where Iâm going here?
Whatâs 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 isnât worth all that much, we put too many things that can just be called âan act of kindnessâ or âan act of resistanceâ into the âman this is so punk!â pile. It doesnât 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 âpunkâ. Youâre allowed to be multifaceted. And I donât think thereâs some specific quota on âhow much punk stuff you doâ to call yourself punk. I sure as hell donât think Iâm making MY quota if thatâs the case.
You can just do things to do things without it being part of an aesthetic or idealism or whatever. Itâs okay. I promise.