Punk Politics #110 Sounds Emo

If you have ever said the phrase “it sounds emo” in a negative sense, then it’s sadly reasonable because we’re all victims of internalized misogyny and homophobia due to colonization. As to what that means, that phrase is a negative expression about a presumed male singer within punk rock not sounding masculine enough. Because the reality is that no matter how woke any of us were in the late 90’s to early 00’s there were just certain things we had yet to know better about. Yeah, we’re antisexist, queer affirming and feminist as fuck, but we say thoughtless shit prior to realizing the concept of how problematic what we’re taught to be normalcy truly is. Before the free speechers start screeching, it’s valid to state something sounds emo as an objective truth and that you’re not into it. But with all of our consciousness, it’s never been (until more recently) entirely safe for a cishet male in the scene to express less than the expected level of male performance and be accepted as punk. Women, gay men and Trans people could, but straight dudes still had to always be hard-core. Bish, I was fightin nazis larger than me (low bar there) with painted nails and eye make up. I’ve been seeing this improve more lately. Primarily with the rise of the new ska scene being am attitude of not being caught up in imaginary shit concepts that were forced upon us without consent or knowledge. I don’t drop this science to call anyone our, it’s because we can’t be better if we don’t first know better. So when you say some phrase, check yoself if you’re stating a truth/ boundary or if you’re playing into colonial abuse. And of someone suggests you’re doing the latter (we all have at one time or other) just listen with the most open mind and heart you can and just consider that you may not be right. It’ll double your intelligence. Below is a dope fuckin track I’m in love with that might “sound emo”. I’ll talk mote about that band next week

-C Fish

Source: punxinsolidarity.wordpress.com