She's not the only one
Living without
A million rituals from a
Time forgotten
What are you waiting for?
What Are You Waiting For, Big Joanie
Schedule
Kick-off:April 6, 2024Midway Check In:April 17, 2024Final Discussion:April 26, 2024 - 6PM PSTDidn’t finish? Who cares? Come hang out anyway.
If you can’t make it to the digital hang, you can always use the comment section to leave your thoughts, reviews, and reflections at any time.
Black Punk Now: A snapshot of fierce joy, screeching rage, and how DIY culture is here to stay
by Courtney Long
Black Punk Now, is a collection of 34 pieces of fiction, nonfiction, and comics. Edited by James Spooner & Chris L. Terry, it is a snapshot in time of what it means to be Black and Punk in an age that believes punk is dead and mumble rap is our only future.
Now I got nothing against mumble rap, Tiktok songs, synthesized beats or whatever else this generation of new music artists are churning out. I’m not ashamed of my playlists! Listen, when you first turn my car on, my trap music will catch you and choke you up.
No.
All these things can be true at the same time. For me, music is the magic of sound, and if you love the magic of sound like I do then there is always a song in every genre that you will love.
I’m not against it. What I am against is this idea that Punk, is well, dead.
I don’t care how many people hold up signs, or keyboard warriors click clack their twitter fingers.
Punks. Not. Dead.
It’s just not bleach blonde or bottle black.
No, these tresses are now dreads and afros.
There has been a decided shift, in the darkened basements and smoky venues that us scene kids frequent. Like a tree shifting roots 10 centimeters to the right, there has been a shift, small but noticeable in the gloom. As the Senior Editor of #Blkgrlswurld ZINE, a zine dedicated to celebrating black women and women of color in the music scene, it’s been amazing to represent the shift in print. I don’t know if it’s ready to be called a revival, but the beauty of Black Punk Now is that it has poked out the first dot in an interesting timeline.
Like a river overflowing, the genre of Black Punk is churning out a new direction. It’s changing course, sound, and beats in ways we could never have expected. It’s proving its resilient and dynamic nature.
This book gives readers a front row seat to why its growing. Why this genre is not only relevant, but also needed, today. Needed by the next generation to make sure they have one more way to express themselves. So come with me, as I dive into the six sections of the book and point you to my favorite quotes and why this book belongs on every music lover’s shelf.
Punks. Not. Dead.
It’s just not bleach blonde or bottle black.
No, these tresses are now dreads and afros.
INTRO
This intro sets the tone for the rest of the book –there is power in community.
“…because what is more liberating than a mosh pit full of smiling black faces? The bands were the fans and the fans were the bands.” Pg. 4, James Spooner, October 2022
In a world where having a Black body can result in automatic health disparities and reduced life expectancies simply for breathing, expressing joy can be seen as a radical act in and of itself. If that’s true, then Black Joy is a form of active resistance against a system that was not built for us, and has actively worked against us being able to even feel it. I love this quote because it offers a way out of the mess—by coming together.
“A goal of Black Punk Now is to give punks—especially the black ones—a wider frame of reference; to show all of the strains, styles, and identities of Black punk that are thriving; and give newcomers to the scene more chances to see themselves.” Pg.6 Chris L. Terry, October 2022
When I was a young scene kid, my mother didn’t mind the rock music because she didn’t hear any sex words. She put her foot down, however, on the black sweatshirts and ripped pants. She’d wrangle them from me and send me to shows in purple sweaters and pink shirts. I already felt like such a strange girl. I stuck with the scene because I was there for the music. I learned not to care that I didn’t look like everyone else, I knew that when the song started I was rocking just as hard as any of them. It was only after I co-founded #Blkgrlswurld Zine with my sister, a shout in the dark that we black metalheads existed, that I was able to find the people who looked like me and help make the space I wish I had as a kid.
Generations
In this section, we see pieces that all speak to the power of a good cry. In each piece, everyone is crying for different reasons, but somehow someway music helps.
“For once, I’m screaming at the top of my lungs and not caring who hears me. In those moments, nothing can knot me. There is no space for crumbs when sound- is all encompassing. Sound is everything. Sound vibrates eardrums Sound is louder than heavy breathing. Louder than heart-beats, louder than thinking. That’s what music means to me. Pg.78 Courtney Long
Surprise! I actually have my own piece in the book. I wrote it for all the people who have to be so strong that they never make space for themselves to be weak. To be angry. To cry. Getting angry and sad is nothing to be ashamed about, but it does need to be released. You can’t keep those emotions in your body without doing damage to yourself. You have to let it out, music is how I let it out. I wish more kids turned to music when they have no one else to lean on. Music will envelope you in its notes until you find your community. It’s not a perfect fit, but it’s a great start.
In the Pit
“they agreed to sit down for a group chat to talk about what it was like being young, Black, and ambitious creatives who carved out a space to define themselves and their music on their own terms.” Pg.104 Laina Dawes in conversation with Sista Grrls.
I loved this interview, because it changed my worldview of what I thought I knew about being Black and Punk. There is a reason Black people are drawn to this music, and it’s because we have always played a part in making and influencing it. I loved learning about Sista Grrls, the change makers. Who knows, maybe after reading this section you will be inspired to read about Sister Rosetta Tharpe the, “Godmother of rock and roll.” We have a history, and its out there for you to be inspired by.
Find Yourself
Taking a stand about what you like, even when you are the only one.
“I always knew that there had to be something besides the world that I was living in. I was always looking but not knowing how to get to this other place that I was dreaming of.” Pg.167 Mars Dixon.
I grew up in a small midwestern town that grew bigger over the course of twenty years. I still remember the smell of horses and the stalks of corn and wheat waving for miles in every direction. Miles. I thought it was endless and that my experiences growing up there was all the world was and how it would always be. It isn’t true. I had to see and experience the scene in different cities like New York and Chicago to understand what was possible. I never dreamed. This section is for the dreamers.
There is a reason Black people are drawn to this music, and it’s because we have always played a part in making and influencing it.
Liberation
Black Joy as Resistance.
“One of the most salient ways that zines operate as a freedom technology for Black folks and other marginalized communities is that they provide a space to speak authentically to our dreams and concerns, circumventing traditional publishing pathways that often tokenize and exclude Black folks.” Pg. 236 Golden Sunrise Collier
I love this section because it puts so much emphasis on zines. You can’t say Punk Show without also mentioning zines. Zines and punk have always gone hand in hand. Zines snapshot moments and spread the word. Zines are paper time capsules and bold statements. Zines are honest expressions of art. I love Golden’s piece because they also share how to make a zine, and how easy it is to get started expressing yourself.
Commandment 7 of 10: “Your blackness is a gift given to you. No one can have it or take it away. Love your blackness.” Pg. 301 Dr. Joanna Davis-Mcelligatt
I also wanted to shout out number seven of the ten commandments drawn out and listed by Joanna Davis-Mcelligatt. I felt this so hard. Being Black at a rock show there are times when I want to sink into the floor and disappear. Sometimes I came desperately wanting to be faceless and unremarkable, and left feeling singled out and exposed. I kept coming back because I had to. I knew I had as much right to enjoy this music as anyone.
“Your blackness is a gift given to you. No one can have it or take it away. Love your blackness.”
Outro
Permission to take what you need from this book, and run. I hope you are running to a show, to cover your paint brush in acrylic, or putting pen to paper. I hope you are sharing memories of dark basements and loud music with old friends and young scene kids. I hope
“Yeah, actually, my whole life has been about community -ality and not doing whatever the fuck I feel like because I have to wait on five other people.” Pg 306 Brontez Purnell
As much as some of us don’t like to admit it, we can’t always go it alone. There is an inherent beauty in the spirit of collaboration, and the mingling of two different ideas. There is an inherent beauty in making spaces for others that you wished you had for yourself. There is an inherent beauty in opening yourself to others who look like you.
I hope this writeup inspires you to take a closer look at how you personally are expressing yourself, and how you may also make space for others to express too. Art is not made in a vacuum, and neither is music. Black Punk Now is a snapshot in time of a cultural movement that’s only just getting warmed up. See you in the pit!
🤘🏽
Courtney Long (b.1990) is an African-American creative writer and heavy music enthusiast based in Chicago. Long is the Senior Editor of indie publisher #Blkgrlswurld® & co-host of the podcast Heavy Girls. #Blkgrlswurld® celebrates and documents Womxn of Color who participate in heavy music genres like Metalcore, Hardcore, Punk & Black Metal. Zines published by #Blkgrlswurld® can be found in libraries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art PS1, Whitney Museum, & many more. The indie press has also curated live events featuring diverse womxn musicians in both Philadelphia and New York City. When not head-bang booty-shaking, Long can be found holed up in the nearest chocolate shop.
Final Thoughts
Overall, how strong was the anthology for you?
Now that you’re done reading, how did the book make you feel?
What was your favorite story? What about it made it your favorite?
Reflecting on our discussions and the essays/artworks in Black Punk Now, how has your understanding of punk culture evolved or changed?
What other punk scenes do you think are out there? Which ones do you want to learn about? For example I found a video on Chicanx Punk and now I’m curious about the punk scene back home. Tropi Punk?
How do you envision the future of Black Punk?
Which one of you has a heavily edited MySpace photo lying around of their best punk outfit?
Anything else? Share your thoughts in the comments or reply to this email. I’ll see you in the next one! ♥
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