... the other Black experience
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 ?
Permalink Reply by Xilomen (Zee-low-mayne) on I've been up here a while. Check it ever so often. It the only social site that I keep up. Don't know too many people personally that have an account but I've met people up here that are chill, likeminded and very peaceful. I feel lonely at times but I think of all the people out there like me and one day we'll meet....festivals coming up and I know there a bunch of musicians that'd love to to just jam....
Permalink Reply by Lightning Pill on I most definitely felt like the odd one out. My take on it is that it isn't quite about defiance. It's about standing out when trying to be anything like your family members just isn't likely. I was kind of hesitant for being here myself because what I know about punk culture is that even if you fit the shoe, there are plenty of jackasses looking to bar you from the bandwagon. I wasn't bound to be a part of any club that would turn away an outsider.
As for those who don't get it, I guess they just don't. But they'll understand in time, I'm sure.
Permalink Reply by Honey Voodoo on All I can say is I'v been very lucky no one has really questioned me or my actions as far as music choices and what not. My parents where very liberal and raised me with the " I can do what ever I want in life" type out look. And when it came to dating maybe once or twice I'v ever felt the sting of mixed relationship woes. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone.... I listen to everything rockabilly, emo, techno, alt, goth, hardcore, hip hop, jazz, some pop...... whatever the heck I feel. To me Afropunk is the combo of everything and it's not the matter of fitting in, it's about being you.... whatever that is!
Permalink Reply by lyfenlyn on I won't lie. It's usually a struggle when you don't live in a 'major city' to find like minded people. But there is also an element of self sabotoge that happens with 'being different'. We almost get comfortable with being outcast that we stop trying to connect with people and then end up sulking about how no one understands us. I have to say that the fact that many AP people live in LA was a BIG factor to me coming here. Now that I am here I have connected with people that I was just friends with here on this very site, and were are now thick as theives. When we get together and go out we have 'a strict policy' that any other black person (AP person) we see out we will say hello to them and chat them up so we can start to expand the community in real time. We need eachother. Yes? I have noticed that when I am out and about alot of younger AP kids say hello to me first. It's pretty cool because they are so open not like us old heads. LOL. But anyways, start putting out feelers in your town for black people who are artistic and go from there. See if there are any interesting meetups ( on meetup.com) in your city and attend them to meet people you may potentially be able to roll with. Don't count out craigslist either. I have met some cool ass people off of it that I have gone to events with and had fun. But be careful and screen carefully, meet in public ect. As I got older I realized that I needed my tribe and got serious about migrating to be with them so thats what I did. Now with that said whats next?
Permalink Reply by Jamaal E. on I definitely know how you feel. I don't know anyone at all with any alternative aspects where I live. I live in a place were people literally think something is wrong with you and will ask you "why are you so weird" because you aren't into the same things they are in. You're definitely aren't alone as you can see here.
Permalink Reply by Shemaiah Sturdivant on When I told her about what I founf , like the website and stuff, she said she has been in the scene for years , she just waited to expose me to it. I was instantly hooked.
Jamaal E. said:
Wow that's awesome. How did you find out she was punk?
Permalink Reply by Jamaal E. on Wow I bet she can teach you so much.
Shemaiah Sturdivant said:
When I told her about what I founf , like the website and stuff, she said she has been in the scene for years , she just waited to expose me to it. I was instantly hooked.
Jamaal E. said:Wow that's awesome. How did you find out she was punk?
Permalink Reply by Gullah*Gotham*Glitter on I feel like the odd man out everywhere. I've been to shows that had a lot of APers and not many people talked to me. Even being on this site I still feel like an outsider at times. I've never been good at fitting in. I've never really found a group where I completely belong. I think for some of us there just isn't one.
Permalink Reply by Brandi Parimon on The truth is most of the odd looks I get when I mention my music tastes come from other black people, not white people. Especially since we are in an era, where the majority of black people today ONLY listen to rap. Not only that, but bad mainstream rap. But I got a couple of black friends who listen to what I listen to. It basically depends on where you live and who you hang out with.
Permalink Reply by Brandi Parimon on That is awesome. You guys down in LA got it going on.
lyfenlyn said:
I won't lie. It's usually a struggle when you don't live in a 'major city' to find like minded people. But there is also an element of self sabotoge that happens with 'being different'. We almost get comfortable with being outcast that we stop trying to connect with people and then end up sulking about how no one understands us. I have to say that the fact that many AP people live in LA was a BIG factor to me coming here. Now that I am here I have connected with people that I was just friends with here on this very site, and were are now thick as theives. When we get together and go out we have 'a strict policy' that any other black person (AP person) we see out we will say hello to them and chat them up so we can start to expand the community in real time. We need eachother. Yes? I have noticed that when I am out and about alot of younger AP kids say hello to me first. It's pretty cool because they are so open not like us old heads. LOL. But anyways, start putting out feelers in your town for black people who are artistic and go from there. See if there are any interesting meetups ( on meetup.com) in your city and attend them to meet people you may potentially be able to roll with. Don't count out craigslist either. I have met some cool ass people off of it that I have gone to events with and had fun. But be careful and screen carefully, meet in public ect. As I got older I realized that I needed my tribe and got serious about migrating to be with them so thats what I did. Now with that said whats next?
Permalink Reply by Kyrian Weaver on No, not at all. I can say that most that I know, haven't even remotely heard of it. Apparently a friend of mine has a few friends on here. But no one personally really quite gets it.
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