The Daily
Travesty
According to astrologers, today is a very special day. The Sun, the
Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will all be passing through the
same zodiac sign (Taurus) at once. This does not happen very often.
The last time was in 1962, directly coinciding with the Cuban Missile crisis to
the day, and, as astrologers like to point out, spurring a whole racket of
social changes and en masse experiments with altered states of consciousness.
Before that we have to go all the way back to May 31 531 AD, right before
Christianity and Buddhism began to spread like wildfire across the globe.
To put this into perspective, you must think seriously about how radically
our culture was changed during, and as a result of, each of these eras.
The next cosmic conjunction of this nature, by the way, is not due to
happen for many more centuries.
Go
here to find out
more.
Revolution Does Not = Hair
Dye
by Mike Y. and his friend Kristal
A teenage boy, complete with silver appendages in tongue, ears, and eyebrow
strolls through the hall to class. His fire engine red hair has been
spiked in every direction with the aid of Elmer's glue and mass quantities of
Aqua Net. His plaid pants are weighed down with bondage rings and pyramid
studs, and his black hooded sweatshirt is adorned with patches from various punk
and hardcore bands. The silver chain around his neck is being held
together by a padlock, while his bright green Doc Martins have been worn down to
the soles.
Through the halls of any high school, many distinctive styles of dress are
apparent. Each student strives to establish individual identity.
Many people today are preoccupied with the idea of rebellion. The
alternative dress styles of some teens today is intended to convey the
individual nature of their rebellion, but I feel as though it is just another
type of uniform. The 'rebels' are not rebels at all; they've conformed to
the standards of their respective social groups, and assumed the uniform of
a 'punk.'
Not to say that this is the only social group involved with this type of
conformity; certainly, the Abercrombie-wielding trend-followers of this
generation allow themselves to be easily categorized, as all social groups are
categorized by physical appearance, in addition to other attributes.
Perhaps what makes the 'punk' scene so interesting to heckle, is the
incorporation of political theory into the generalization of the group.
With rebellious appearance comes rebellious thought. The new wave of
anarchy seems to center within the realm of 'punk.'
Now, let us get past the indisputable reality that anarchy is a
theory. It is a political ideal that will remain as such because chaos can
only remain as chaos for so long. Many 'punks,' sporting inverted American
flags on each sleeve, will complain for hours about an oppressive government,
yet most have not taken any action to improve the workings of political
institutions. I do not see how whining about 'The Man' and raging against
the system will get anything done.
Real rebellion has little to do with hair dye, and even less to do with
unattainable political thought. Real rebellion is about change, about
revolutionary ideas with action behind them. Anarchy is not rebellion, it is
fashion. No amount of piercings, spikes, or manic panic is going to
compensate for complete lack of political involvement. Whether it be
voting or doing some grass roots campaigning about the issues that matter, you
have to be involved.
Do you believe that a political prisoner was wrongly sentenced to
die? Do something about it! Pick yourself up, make some contacts and
start screaming your views so that someone hears them other than the conformist
clones that spend each night at a diner entertaining left-wing radicalist
theories about why the government should disband. Let me spell it out for
you: America is a representative republic. We are not a monarchy. We
are not a fascist-run Nazi institution. People have a choice and they
have a voice. Utilize the system you are so quick to damn, and do
something to make it better. It is your right as an American to sit around
and heckle the government, but it is also your responsibility to improve
it.
This is not to say that all punks are anarchists, or that all anarchists
are conformists. My opinion on this issue is simply a generalization;
there are always exceptions to the rule. For the most part, however, the
rebels are not deviating from society, but adapting to their own little corners
of society.
"I'm a rebel. We spike our hair and wear chains because we don't care what
people think."
That translates in my mind to something along the lines of, "I'm a
non-conformist, just like all my friends."
Have you ever seen the Monty Python movie "The life of Brian?" There
is a scene where Brian stands at the window, telling his followers that they
don't have to follow him, because they are all individuals. In unison, the
crowd replies, "Yes, that's right. We are all individuals." Irony, my
friend. Irony.
Bottom-line; wear whatever you want. Dress like a 'prep,' dress like
a 'punk,' or dress according to whatever label that you insist on applying to
yourself, just don't use the label of 'rebel.' You aren't a rebel, you
aren't a deviant, and you aren't a non-conformist. Be who you are, but
understand that you are a part of society, and it is a useless venture to resist
that fact. Also, don't let your style of clothing legislate your political
views. Just because you wear studs on your clothes doesn't mean that you
need to think like an anarchist. If you truly believe that the American
government is oppressive and isn't benefiting the people, and you can honestly
say you don't want to reside in a democracy or a republic, that's fine.
Stop complaining about the system here unless you intend to do something to
better it. The American government is fascist, you say? All
right, move to Serbia. I'm sure they'll treat you nice there, and you'll have
plenty to complain about. Though you may get some strange looks from your
neighbors due to your neon green mo-hawk. Maybe they'll just think you are
some kind of Native-American. With the nipple rings poking through your
bright pink mesh shirt, and the barbells protruding from your thrice-pierced
ears, I'm sure you will finally be able to rightfully claim your independence
and assume the title of 'unique individual.'
If you do find yourself in Serbia, spouting your independence and
governmental deviance, good for you. One more thing. If you would,
before they cut off your hands for inciting a revolution, write me a letter
telling me all about it.