... the other Black experience
DOES ATLANTA LIVE UP TO THE HYPE???
The people in Atlanta never seem to travel to far from the stereotypes.The seem to stay in their roles of what is considered the appropriate way of acting, dressing, and being "black." Many people in the south, especially African Americans in the south will not try something new until whatever it is becomes a popular trend, popularized by an hip hop artist, and then approved by hip hop culture.
I think back during the times of baggy jeans, and long white tees. My true
ATLiens, will remeber the popular song by Dem Franchise Boyz "White Tee," a song popularizing the trend of wearing big, long, tall white tees. This trend went on for a very long time. As average as it may seem to wear just plain white shirts, thats what we were doing in the south. However hip hop culture in the 90's everywhere, was very into baggy clothing until maybe 2000, artist like Kanye West change the mold. Hip hop culture started accepting preppy clothing. Kanye says, "Raulph Lauren was borin until I wore him." Which has remained true. However, the South is always late. Since the beginning of time, the south has been the last area to catch on to the trends. Remeber Industrialization... lol.. But thats another topic of discussion.
However my point is, in many other parts of the country, black communities have been breaking boundaries, stepping outside of stereotypes, and becoming involved in activities that aren't neccessarily part of black/hip hop culture, while the South has been lagging behind. Theres a big Afro-Punk Scene, Blipster (Black Hipster) scene, and Black skaters are popping up all over the place. This has been going for a very long time, YEARS!!!! Especially in areas like California, and some northern areas. But the South only recently decided that it was okay to look like a rockstar or dress like a skater, with Lil Wayn'es acceptance of Rock culture.
Since Lil Wayne has entered the scene many people in the South have grown dreads, bought guitars, got lip piercings, where skinny jeans, and put on the front of "Party like a rockstar" under the guise of the new trend called, "White Boy/Black Boy Swag."
Although I am happy to see the South catching up with the latest Fashion trends, it is JUST that! A FASHION TREND! Many of the people who have grown mohawks, where skinny jeans, vans, and other things attributed to punk fashion have not changed their mentality. It has been made apparent in the South that it is okay to change your style a dress punk, hipster, or like a skater, but its still not okay to act like them. So in other words, they may look like a duck, but they still bark, and play like a dog. They haven't embrace the different cultures or the different music, they have olnly embraced the style. However, they don't embrace the style to the full extent, Gauged ears in the South is still very uncommon, especially in the black community. They where the attire, but they have not accepted the piercings. That part seems alittle extreme. And when embracing these different style the still manage to not step to far outside of the box, by keeping their grills, and sagging the skinny jeans below their asses.
When I travel other places, theres so much diversity in the black community. You have white kids hanging with black kids, and black kids hanging with white kids. Black people can show interest in things outside of hip hop culture, without being ostracized for being different or being outcasted. But the South has remain the South. If you step to far out the box, you are considered strange, different, abnormal or a poser.
I was born in Atlanta and believe that it is is a great place to live and it offers many options, of places to go and things to do.However we must acknowledge that Georgia is still a very racist state, where interracial couples, are looked at with disgust. Race isn't a issue of the past. Therefore there is still alot of intolerance, and not too much room to step outside what is consider appropriate for somene "black" to say or do.
Atlanta is ranked as the gayest city in America! So I must have a greater chance then most to meet the girl of my dreams. So why do I still feel like my options for finding some like me who is apart of the homosexual community are so limited? Am I just not looking or do they really not exist.
I want to hear everyone's opinions. Prove me wrong..
I think back during the times of baggy jeans, and long white tees. My true
ATLiens, will remeber the popular song by Dem Franchise Boyz "White Tee," a song popularizing the trend of wearing big, long, tall white tees. This trend went on for a very long time. As average as it may seem to wear just plain white shirts, thats what we were doing in the south. However hip hop culture in the 90's everywhere, was very into baggy clothing until maybe 2000, artist like Kanye West change the mold. Hip hop culture started accepting preppy clothing. Kanye says, "Raulph Lauren was borin until I wore him." Which has remained true. However, the South is always late. Since the beginning of time, the south has been the last area to catch on to the trends. Remeber Industrialization... lol.. But thats another topic of discussion.
However my point is, in many other parts of the country, black communities have been breaking boundaries, stepping outside of stereotypes, and becoming involved in activities that aren't neccessarily part of black/hip hop culture, while the South has been lagging behind. Theres a big Afro-Punk Scene, Blipster (Black Hipster) scene, and Black skaters are popping up all over the place. This has been going for a very long time, YEARS!!!! Especially in areas like California, and some northern areas. But the South only recently decided that it was okay to look like a rockstar or dress like a skater, with Lil Wayn'es acceptance of Rock culture.
Since Lil Wayne has entered the scene many people in the South have grown dreads, bought guitars, got lip piercings, where skinny jeans, and put on the front of "Party like a rockstar" under the guise of the new trend called, "White Boy/Black Boy Swag."
Although I am happy to see the South catching up with the latest Fashion trends, it is JUST that! A FASHION TREND! Many of the people who have grown mohawks, where skinny jeans, vans, and other things attributed to punk fashion have not changed their mentality. It has been made apparent in the South that it is okay to change your style a dress punk, hipster, or like a skater, but its still not okay to act like them. So in other words, they may look like a duck, but they still bark, and play like a dog. They haven't embrace the different cultures or the different music, they have olnly embraced the style. However, they don't embrace the style to the full extent, Gauged ears in the South is still very uncommon, especially in the black community. They where the attire, but they have not accepted the piercings. That part seems alittle extreme. And when embracing these different style the still manage to not step to far outside of the box, by keeping their grills, and sagging the skinny jeans below their asses.
When I travel other places, theres so much diversity in the black community. You have white kids hanging with black kids, and black kids hanging with white kids. Black people can show interest in things outside of hip hop culture, without being ostracized for being different or being outcasted. But the South has remain the South. If you step to far out the box, you are considered strange, different, abnormal or a poser.
I was born in Atlanta and believe that it is is a great place to live and it offers many options, of places to go and things to do.However we must acknowledge that Georgia is still a very racist state, where interracial couples, are looked at with disgust. Race isn't a issue of the past. Therefore there is still alot of intolerance, and not too much room to step outside what is consider appropriate for somene "black" to say or do.
Atlanta is ranked as the gayest city in America! So I must have a greater chance then most to meet the girl of my dreams. So why do I still feel like my options for finding some like me who is apart of the homosexual community are so limited? Am I just not looking or do they really not exist.
I want to hear everyone's opinions. Prove me wrong..
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lee on -
When I first got into punk rock in 2002, I would've agreed 100% with you. I was the only one I knew like me and the thought of a Black scene in Atlanta was something that was about as probable as seeing pigs flying in the sky. I use to get blasted for "talking white", "acting white" by my own family and can remember hearing my relatives talk in disgust about interracial relationships and about the races mixing at all. At school I was picked on for not being Black enough, and even the white kids into the stuff I was into had a hard time figuring out where to place me. Mostly in trying to figure out how real I was.
This was definitely the case in the beginning of the last decade, but I think it's starting to change. Atlanta is a Southern city and progress is going to be slow because of that, but there has been some progress made in how open-minded and tolerant people are becoming. I don't know where you live, but I often come across clearly alternative Blacks when I'm on MARTA and I've seen my fair share of black skateboarders around. Probably not in as high of numbers as other cities, but they do exist. I don't think we're going to be able to keep pushing for that change if we get caught up in what other cities are doing. A scene here can still be created, we've just got to be dedicated to making one. -
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Permalink Reply by Mark Clemons on
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I'm a NEW YORK transplant living in GA since 5/14/95,alot of what U were saying is true.I'm @ the age where I don't give a fuck about trends anymore,I like what I like whether its music or clothing.When I 1st moved here it was a freakin culture shock,now I don't live right there in the heart of the city,I live in north Ga there are still some things I still haven't adapted to.I do love going down to little 5 points though.ATLANTA IS OVERRATED!!!
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Permalink Reply by chexas chainsaw on -
Im from the golden state California, I moved to Atlanta GA in 2006. When I moved here i noticed there were less black people at the types of shows i frequent. I was delighted when i saw jesse nobody who became my favorite punk band very quickly but i havent seen many other black punks out and about in Atlanta. I dont dress punk at all my fashion is all over the place rockabilly ska if youre from la you know what im talking about but any way since i dont look to punk i probabaly dont run into them. In los angles i know lots of black folks into punk metal ska and even rockabilly i think GA is behind on more than music trends its behind of alot of social change and tolerance. I havent came across to many blatant racist but almost all of them have been in GA. Ive never got followed in a store until i moved here. Im in a ska band in atlanta and the ska scene is for the most part accommodating to all people since the music stands for unity. Im the only black person in the ska scene in Atlanta that i have seen. Im into most punk ska and metal across the board but i have only met a handful of balck people in GA in 4 years. I dont know what it will take to improve the scene in Atlanta.
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Permalink Reply by Allison Whild on -
I live in Atlanta, Luv it here!!!!
First you gotta understand its "The South", Black people in the south have gone through alot and that goes all the way back to slavery ,niggas getting lynched and segragation in the south!!! first of all the white tees is some gangsta shit..Lol.,,2 be real with you when you sellin drugs and everybodys wearing white tees & everyone looks the same its kinda hard 4 the cops to spot you out while you out there husteling trying to feed ya family... Niggas has always stayed fresh in some "Polo" Lol,
You cant knock peopple for doing what they wanna do, if you wanna wear cowboy boots and chew on hay straw and listen to country musics thats your choice, we are all different, depending on where you are from and what you are exposed to you act different people up north are different from people down south and the south is different from the west the music from each coast sounds different talk is different ("whats up" Son,,,Shawty...Homie..BRO!!!)Lol
theres no right or wrong way anything "it is wat it is" if you wanna rock skinny jeans, get tatted up, and listen NWA all day,show off ya grill and throw up gang signs all day and trick off all your money on big booty freaks in the strip club danceing 2 gucci manes "I think i luv her "in the same white tee you been on the corner all day hustelin, its your (prerogative)..."you can do what ya wanna do!!"
Its a fine line between gangsta shit and rock music!!!
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Permalink Reply by Afua richardson on -
I think the art community here is slowly recultivating - those borders of color are blurring up a bit where your face and your clothes are cool but your art's gotta show n prove.
It seems even tho Atlanta has a large gay community that is designated to a few areas as far as hang out spots and even just community gatherings.
I don't think its just black folks, seems the south is slow to change for such a progressive city- people have some good heart here but slow to act slow to chance and certainly afraid to act on their own or even start something. Being a NYer - we tend to not complain about what we dont have and MAKE it ( not knocking you or anything you bring up a good point) so i'm trying to create environments that allow people to think, express their art , express their concerns and have a good time while not being limited to " oh this is a black club - this is a black gay club this is a white punk clus this is a white art event) no one ever really says that but there are issues and things that affect us all and if we band together ( which i'm working on) it will create these pockets of infectious tolerance , acceptance, growth and put a lil funk back in the A i heard so much about. -
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Permalink Reply by JahQues on
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To borrow from one of our Hip Hop fathers, Rakim "It ain't where you from, it's where you at." I've been in the A ten years. Originally from Boston. I think Atlanta has a very progressive scene. Art, music, culture, food, etc. You can find everything from punk, jazz to reggae. The only issue is the progressive scene is overshadowed by it's evil cousin, Dirty south, crunk, commercial Hip Hop. It snuffs the life out of the other scenes since that seems to be all people think of when they think of the the A.
But if more alternative black folks would get out and support progressive events, than we would have more support from the night clubs and promoters the way they do in New York, LA and other cities. Progressive scenes don't just create themselves, people create them. Little Five Points is a prime example. It would not exist if liberal, progressive white folk did not support it. Their support and claim to that part of the city is crucial to its existance. As well as East Atlanta Village and other areas. But when you look at areas where alternative black folks could have laid down some foundation, like parts of the West End, Auburn Avenue, etc., we fall short. Because the support of our own communities is lackluster to say the least.
At the same time pay attention to the dirty south scene they "go hard" at most of their events, shows, etc. Can the same really be said about ATL's progressive Black community? Get out their ya'll, research, find out what's poppin. There's a lot going on in ATL for our liberated folks that we totally ignore. Start by checking out (((RockCity))) this Friday Night May 28th at Luna Nueva in Little Five Points. "SHAMELESS PLUG". lol -
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Permalink Reply by SOUL on
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WOW!!!!
Let me just first say that I was born and raises in the "A", and I have been doing rock for about 12 yrs... Let me go on record by sayin I was first introduce to black rock right here in Atlanta In Lil five Points... There was this club called the Point where they use to have the Rock Lockdown... bands like Naked Truth, Sterio Popsicle, Urban Grind, Follow For Now... just to name a few..all of them where from Atlanta.. and they began the Black rock movement out here.. and it has thrive through the years..
I started my first band in 1999 RarAir we performed at all the spots in Atlanta... Along that time you bands like Johnny Prophet. EX-Vortex, Candella(all female),Stuck MoJo,El Pus,ect... clubs like 9 Live Saloon, IAG, Old Lenny's, The Buckhead spots, The Earl,The Vortex... See back then there where more clubs for live bands... and a rock band could get a gig... And the most important thing a promoter.... there where plenty..
Around 2005 the game changed most of all the clubs that where booking bands close or just went to Dj's, and musician found that bein a studio musician getts the dough.. Don't get me wrong there where some other venues that open like Vinyl, New Lenny's,Druken Unicorn, and a couple more spots...the scene is kinda lean...
Atlanta Afro Punk defenitely needs to step up... As far as I am concerned Black Rock Fo Life....
We have to show Face..
If yoy wandering why I stop in the middle of my conversation, It's because this shit is personal to me
I have grindin for a long time.. Since when we as black rockers where call crazy... before the fad!!!
I'll be doing some show very soon.... see you there -
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Permalink Reply by Phillymoe on -
Well; I'm new to the scene and hear what y'all sayin. I'm actually back in ATL since '95 and am somewhat impressed by what I've seen. Still Buckhead just looks alien with all the old dive bars gone, but when too much shit goes down i guess it gets replaced by a skyscraper. Anyways, please keep me in the know as I would like to be a supporter of the scene.
peas..... and green beans. -
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Permalink Reply by LadyLinkMaster on -
well said!!!!
Lee said:When I first got into punk rock in 2002, I would've agreed 100% with you. I was the only one I knew like me and the thought of a Black scene in Atlanta was something that was about as probable as seeing pigs flying in the sky. I use to get blasted for "talking white", "acting white" by my own family and can remember hearing my relatives talk in disgust about interracial relationships and about the races mixing at all. At school I was picked on for not being Black enough, and even the white kids into the stuff I was into had a hard time figuring out where to place me. Mostly in trying to figure out how real I was.
This was definitely the case in the beginning of the last decade, but I think it's starting to change. Atlanta is a Southern city and progress is going to be slow because of that, but there has been some progress made in how open-minded and tolerant people are becoming. I don't know where you live, but I often come across clearly alternative Blacks when I'm on MARTA and I've seen my fair share of black skateboarders around. Probably not in as high of numbers as other cities, but they do exist. I don't think we're going to be able to keep pushing for that change if we get caught up in what other cities are doing. A scene here can still be created, we've just got to be dedicated to making one. -
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