Having a quick look around the current state of things, it seems the laissez-faire descent into dystopia has no one willing to put the brakes on. Like many people, my overwhelming emotion at the moment is one of futile and almost resigned despondency. A sense that even harder times are on the horizon and the cruellest and most clueless people in the world have somehow been handed the keys to the future of the planet. It’s not just me right? We’re pretty much all feeling that now? Phew, I feel better knowing it is not just me.
But although there are times to indulge that sense of helplessness and just relinquish yourself to the abyss, those times need to be shortlived. Because if we are gonna salvage a life worth living for each other and keep a tight grasp on the rights and principles that we should be able to rely on, then we gotta keep our heads in the game.
“This is not a time to be dismayed, this is punk rock time. This is what Joe Strummer trained you for” is one of my favourite Henry Rollins quotes (and that’s a crowded field) and I think it applies pretty well for our current times. Although I would say it is not just Strummer, but a whole faculty of punk teachers that can give us some tools and lessons that might just see us through this period of turmoil. I’ve always turned to punk to guide me through life’s difficult times so maybe there’s something we can pull together as a group to give us some direction? After all, punk is not just music- it is a resource.
Solidarity
Something punk has always taught me is there is power and strength in numbers. Not just in a literal, physical sense but in terms of principles and support. Stick together- use your voice, your actions, whatever you have at your disposal to be allies to those who are right at the coalface of the struggle. You may not be part of the LGBT community yourself, but you can stand alongside those who are, those who feel victimised, targeted, vulnerable and pissed off. You may not be racially minoritised yourself, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take an interest in how policies and general discourse in the public is provoking or encouraging racism.
Here’s another quote from Rollins (I do read quotes from people other than Henry Rollins, I promise):
“You always know the mark of a coward. A coward hides behind freedom. A brave person stands in front of freedom and defends it for others.”
Listen to:
‘Solidarity’ by Angelic Upstarts. This track from 1983 was written in solidarity with Polish trade unionists who were campaigning in oppressive circumstances in the 1980s, Poland having introduced martial law which made their organising increasingly perilous.
‘Got Each Other’ by The Interrupters. Taken from 2018’s ‘Fight the Good Fight’, this track is a veritable anthem of sticking together and offering a hand up: “If you are alone tonight/You can come with us”.
‘Unity’ by Operation Ivy. The West Coast’s ska heroes Operation Ivy were right when they said “Aint nothing wrong with another unity song…Unity, as one stand together”.
Take Action
Action can look different for different people, depending on what you feel you can do. Protests; putting pressure on political representatives; donating money to support organisations; signing petitions; sharing resources; going to community meetings; creating resources… what all these things have in common is, they are ACTIONS. Things you have to do. And although it may seem ineffective and therefore demotivating to get involved in any of the above, it has a lot more potential to effect change than doing diddley squat.
Punks have been taking action since the beginning- fundraising at gigs, spreading awareness via networks of punks and activists, taking a DIY approach to making resources and getting them into the hands of people that need them….Punks Against Homelessness, Rock For Choice, Rock the Vote, Rock Against Racism…punks have done it before and they’ll continue to do it.
Listen to:
‘Protest and Survive’ by Discharge. This song’s message couldn’t really be clearer and unfortunately the lyrics are as relevant now as they were in 1982 when the song was first performed:
“The savage mutilation of the human race is set on course
Protest and survive
Protest and survive
It is up to us to change that course
Protest and survive
Protest and survive”
Well? You heard ‘em.
‘The Power is Yours’– The Redskins. You can’t really make any sort of political punk playlist without including York’s The Redskins. The first line of the first track from their 1986 album ‘Neither Washington Nor Moscow’ is a general call to action “Let’s get this situation sorted out!” And how they would suggest you do that is by grouping together, raising each other up and getting ready to fight for each other. As vocalist Chris Dean said in a 1983 interview with Sounds: “…music can uplift working class kids and it can change attitudes. A record is a weapon with a worker at both ends. A band can act as a catalyst. Working class kids are buying it. No-one would be interested in Paul Weller if he wasn’t in a band. Being a pop star gives you access to millions of people. From the moment you’re born you’re told what to do. But rock’n’roll gave kids a voice”.
‘Boycott the Lot’ by Menstrual Cramps. Another form of political activism that doesn’t necessarily get a lot of coverage or column inches is a boycott. Boycotting is not new. It is a tried and tested approach to influencing public discourse and organisational/state choices, and was utilised significantly against South Africa’s Apartheid regime and has been part of the Palestinian solidarity action for some time (boycotting companies that have ties to the Israeli state). [We’ve covered this on Punk Rock Philosophy before). There are many reasons you might want to boycott a corporation or brand – tax evasion, poor track record on worker’s rights, poor environmental credentials, links to arms sales, general right wing twattery…and this track by the Menstrual Cramps is like a handy quick reference guide to the who’s who of potential boycott targets.
Join A Union
Unions around the world have been responsible for advocating for workers to improve their conditions and strengthen their rights. And this isn’t just about pay and remuneration- it is about health, safety and well being. Unions have literally fought to save lives and the consequences of unsafe work are acknowledged on Workers’ Memorial Day, a day that takes place annually around the world on April 28, as a day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work.
We’ve actually written something a bit more extensive on this link between punk and unions already, you can get it HERE. With the influence of big business and capitalism running rampant, we’re all gonna need to protect ourselves against exploitation.
Educate yourself
Knowledge is power people! And speaking up and sharing our stories- and listening to others- is one way of sharing resources and bringing real experiences into the spotlight. This is why #MeToo was so powerful- you didn’t need permission to share your experiences, you could use your voice on your own terms. And the more people who speak the truth about the discrimination, abuse and indignities they suffer, the less it can be ignored.
Knowing your rights- and where to go for support and advocacy when those rights are infringed upon- is one way we can be vigilant for ourselves and others.
Listen to:
‘A People’s History of the World’ by Propagandhi. Another band that come up in pretty much any discussion on how punk can be political, this track from 1996’s ‘Less Talk, More Rock’ summarises how taking control of your own education is a radically subversive act:
“And so if our schools won’t teach us/ We’ll have to teach ourselves to analyze and understand
the systems of thought-control/ And share it with each other”
‘Clampdown’ by The Clash. I’ve got a theory about this song- if you ask any Clash fan (myself included) for their favourite tracks by the band, this one is always mentioned. It is, as they say, a fan favourite. As much as the song is about the erosion of idealism and spirit by the conditions of capitalism, I always thought it was also about class consciousness and if you are forced to participate in the system (which most of us are) at least don’t let it brainwash you and dull your soul:
“The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don’t owe nothing, so boy, get running
It’s the best years of your life they want to steal”
There’s a whole lot to take from that song, more on that HERE.
‘Double Dare Ya’ by Bikini Kill. The riot grrrl pioneer’s 1994 track gives me chills every time I hear Hanna bellow: “Rights, rights? YOU DO HAVE RIGHTS!” But, the song implores us to be courageous in our actions…it’s not called the struggle for nothing- “You’re a big girl now/ You’ve got no reason not to fight”.
And finally, we’ll end on Black Flag- a seminal band from the US hardcore scene. A scene that preached about self improvement, accountability, self care and community support as an act of altruistic rebellion:
“Laugh at us behind our backs
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
I find satisfaction in what they lack
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above”
I think we can rise above- we have no other choice. But we can’t all do it alone.
Pic credits:
‘March for Women’ detail: Giacomo Ferroni via Unsplash
‘Politics is a Lie’: Brian Wertheim via Unsplash
Child singing into microphone: Jason Rosewell via Unsplash