... the other Black experience
The Afro- Punk in Solitude
Joining the Afro Punk community wasn't a hop on the bandwagon type of thing. My friends didn't ( and still don't) understand the movement. My family thought that I was just doing anything to be defiant. Coupled with the fact that I don't know any other punks from Cleveland. I felt like just walking away from the movement. It wasn't until I found out my mother was a fellow punk , I gave it another chance . Am I the only one who feels like the odd one out in this community sometimes ?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fashionfreak on -
It will be fine girly! I used to be the odd ball out (still kinda am) but the people who ridiculed me once are now trying to jock my steez haha but its all good.
@ Rae Louis LOL what? you have to look a certain way to listen to rock? Aww man so silly. I guess I don't look like it then because I wear big ass ghetto earrings and jordans huh? People are so ridiculous...Its crazy bc when I first discovered AP I was like FINALLY but then when I realized how much ppl on the forums got their panties in a bunch over the kids who don't 'look' the part I began to laugh to myself. I even began to believe that I had to look like a sex pistols member to be down but I quickly got over that bullshit. I grew up in a black neighborhood and I love rap, slang, etc but I also love punk, metal, hell country music and dancehall! I am myself and that is Afropunk in itself. So let me wear wtf I want and let some fool step to me and say I'm not 'Afropunk' enough. Negro please.
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Permalink Reply by Tripod Black on -
Yeah, The world really is. That's why our band is who we are. We're almost without a face/image. We're just a couple of black dude who like to play rock music, use proper English and improper English, and have fun doing what we feel is fun (using a shopping cart to get some Burger King at 2am lol). I feel that people like you guys(and us), are the people who should be models. We just live our lives to enjoy it the way we like to and with others who want to do the same. We feel like the odd balls out all the time but we feel that's something amazing.
Also everyone is different even in cliques. You just gotta find your person clique (well more like friends) within the cliques. No one fits in with everyone in a community like this. just gotta wait to see who's closest to you ;) rock on and keep being Amazing ya know \m/
Shemaiah Sturdivant said:Yes, I was in the food court ! lmao
Indigo Sweater said:I know what you're talking about. I don't have anyone in my life that actually relates to this or myself. And though I share the sentiment, I don't feel like I fit in here. Often I find that every little part of the world is like its own clique, Afro-Punk included, and I'll just never be able to assimilate into any of them.
I'm from Cleveland too, btw. Is that Tower City in your picture? It looks familiar, anyway.
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Permalink Reply by Jordana LeSesne on -
One of my friends is a club promoter in Cleveland. She will be joining in the near future I'll have to introduce you two. :)
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Permalink Reply by Shemaiah Sturdivant on -
Thank much appreciated !
Jordana LeSesne said:One of my friends is a club promoter in Cleveland. She will be joining in the near future I'll have to introduce you two. :)
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Permalink Reply by Maria Sherri Gordon on -
If I had to classify myself, I would say that I fit more into the Hippy category. I listen to all music from the 60's & 70's rock, folk, even country and I love some of the new Indie/folk music. I am 41 years old and growing up, I felt really out of place. I listed to a little punk music as a teenager. I too grew up in an all white neighborhood. People are people and I didn't fit in with white people and when I was older, other blacks moved into the community and I didn't have much in common with them either.
I am a firm believer in individualism, but this is not an accepted lifestyle for just about any race. It is very hard to make friends and talk to people who really understand me. Even if we take music out of the equation, my world view differs from just about everyone.
I was happy to find this site. No, I can't say I am a punk, but at least it is a counter-culture where I am more likely to fit in than other places.
I long to "find my tribe" in the town I live in. I get invited places, but I have been around long enough to know that I have very little to say to most people.
I think everyone who comes to Afro-Punk.com is looking for friendship and a place to belong in a group. We are all minorities within a minority group. We are unique individuals who need to embrace one another, because this is the closest thing to a community that we will most likely have.
Peace,
Maria
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Permalink Reply by اندرى ليتل on -
AFRO-PUNK is Solitude!... it has to be. there's no way it would have gotten this far if the fore-runners didnt run so far, so steadfast, and so solo from the mainstream, need i say "plantation" media programming, and create this underground railroad to independence, creative freedom, and increased solitude!...not to mention peace of mind, and quality of life!...and i think thats what art is ultimately; cultural freedom 2 be or not 2 be whatever the fu*k u want,,,or dont want!
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Permalink Reply by Shrilinda E. on
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Hell no, look at the website you're at, do you think it would be necessary to make such a creation if it wasn't needed. Ok then, and don't ever think that you're the only one who feels like a rose in a sea of ignorant weeds. ; }
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Permalink Reply by Kearra-Amaya on -
you got it easy...try being in an COUNTRY where a lot of people look at you weird if you're black and listen to rock...even alternative gives you a few stares.
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Permalink Reply by NorkyJump on -
It's cool to know your not alone...by yourself...whaaat? Shit i get it.
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Permalink Reply by Oneisha on -
Be yourself for yourself, not for the movement. Do it regardless of what others think, just be you and go on with the day. :)
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Permalink Reply by Newsoul on -
That's what this scene is all about, there is not one version of Black Rock/Afro- Punk art or fashion because it's the influences we throw in to make it a unique alternative music/ subculture within the Punk world. Some of us like classic Soul, Funk, Rock and mix that with Alternative Rock or Punk, and some of us are metal heads others are Hip- Hop electro freaks and some of us older folks came into the scene from the wars of being the "only black" in a certain music scene to what I call the only original music scene in America that in the last 20 years is making revolutionary music that harkens to the past but with a path to the future. To us old heads it may be too late to be "shooting stars" but the young artists, musicians, designers and dreamers you are the future to the heirs of Ellington, Parker, Ellison, Parks, Hurston, Holiday,Betty Davis, Miles, Arthur Lee, Hendrix, Sly and Prince.
That makes us original and feared by others because people are scared of HOW WE EMBRACE OUR BLACKNESS within our musical and cultural perspective without fear or shame.
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