First things first. I can’t help but read and hear the responses to Ryan’s column last month and not respond myself. The most glaring inconsistency I’ve noticed with those who have gotten up in arms about the column’s contents is this:
Ryan’s column was not an attack on all skinheads. It was a discussion of some of the history of the movement and it was a criticism of specifically RACIST skinheads. So if you’re not a racist skinhead, you have absolutely NOTHING to complain about, and you should be in support of his words. On the other hand… if you are racist this column may have pissed you off. And if that’s the case I don’t really give a fuck other than to say that you are a piece of shit and don’t deserve to belong to any type of community at all, let alone our punk community.
I find it funny that people defend racist skinheads by saying “oh they’re a nice guy etc etc” when really niceness has nothing to do with being racist. It’s usually white males who are doing the defending too, which is funny because they are the last to suffer from any type of racism, so of course they don’t care. And of course racists are probably “nice” to them because they are white.
My problem with skinheads has nothing to do with their physical appearance as skinheads. In fact, I generally get along with skinheads (or anybody for that matter) granted they are not racist, sexist, or homophobic. It’s when people go out of their way to be intolerant to entire groups of people based on something inherent to them that my inner instinct to rally for the disenfranchised comes to the surface. I just can’t ignore it. I don’t defend racist behaviors or inklings or tattoos or t-shirts because I find it absolutely unacceptable and disgusting and disheartening. There is nothing to defend. My “problem” so to speak has more to do with the macho attitude that comes along with many male punks and in Grand Rapids many skinheads. This is undeniable. One needs to only read the responses to Ryan’s column to see that most would rather resort to violence than have an actual discussion about what Ryan was trying to say which (as long as none of the dissenters are RACIST) should offend literally nobody. So the fact that so many want to beat Ryan up and call our house with empty threats leaves me wondering… are they really racists? Or just macho dudes with something to prove? I find it sad that these people would rather fight with those who are a part of their community rather than those who threaten it.
So the bottom line is this: if you’re a racist skinhead you don’t deserve to have my support. If you’re a racist anything you don’t deserve my support. If you’re a non-racist, non -macho skinhead, then the more the merrier. If only all these complainers would just listen to the bands they so supposedly adore they would perhaps pick up on the best Sham 69 lyrics of all time… if only we could get together, then I know we’d live forever. Too bad they all just wanna fight.
I’m not sure what kind of beef you have, but I just wanna say this: I’ve had my fair share of run ins with skinheads in my life time no doubt and the reputation for violence is probably deserved. However, I’ve had MUCH more trouble with other groups over the years. I’ve been attacked by straight-edgers and militant vegans WAY more than any other group. Yet these people never seem to get any press about their pension for violence. I used to be straight edge and grew to hate it because I saw so much violence from them. Yet, I hardly ever hear about this. I’ve also witnessed militant vegans attack people, destroy other peoples belongings, and just recently my neighbors rabbits (who is a source of food for 8kids) were stolen. No i didn’t witness this theft, but judging by the vegan graffiti, I believe it was vegans. Stealing food is a form of violence just as a punch in the face is. My point is that I almost never read anything about this, it’s always skinheads, skinheads, skinheads. And while they deserve the reputation for sure, they’re an easy target. If we are gonna condemn them for their violence, let’s condemn ALL violence. Not just the groups we choose.
You have some points. I would love to post a column about your idea’s with this on the site. I have also seen a lot of very scary shit with SXE people growing up in Western NY and seeing some real shit. I guess for me I just see way more probs with boneheads then anything else, but like I said this would be a worth while read if you ever wanted to.
I am a Vegan, a NS Skinhead and I live in Grand Rapids:)