Afro Punk: 3 New Rules for the Black Revolution

Brooklyn’s Afro Punk music festival happened  on the same weekend as the March on Washington’s 50th anniversary.

 

While the DC March focused on the large scale political change, New York’s Afro Punk movement was more individual, identity-based and a celebration of African Diasporic creativity.

 

The DC March called on the youth to do more by getting political. The Afro Punk just called the youth to come as you are.

 

My Afro Punk experience provided me with a peek into a black counterculture that values youth as individuals with unique modes of expression.  In light of the March on Washington and our leader’s call for youth to do more, I discovered that the rules for revolution have changed. Our youth are doing more but they are just doing it differently.

 

RULE #1: Wear what you will.

Some people came to Afro Punk in halter tops and sheer see-through thongs. Others arrived in body chains with Kenyan neck adornments.

But everyone came comfortable, accepted and embraced. The non-judgemental atmosphere of Afro Punk reinforces that we cannot preach to our youth about trivialities such as hoodies and sagging pants, yet demand that they get engaged.

The new Black revolution must be about acceptance, non-judgement and an understanding of individual expression.

 

RULE #2: Love who you want.

Girls holding girls, guys grinding on guys and trans loving their partners in the open was the norm and no one batted an eye.

We can’t ignore that sexuality for the new revolution is fluid and ever evolving. The new Black revolution is a place for loving who you want in a safe, loving and accepting space.

 

RULE #3: Rock out your own way.

Chuck D of Public Enemy, Dead Prez, Saul Williams and a host of other bands brought their unique musical style to the festival. But the energy was electric with art, black health businesses and over 50 Afro-influenced vendors.

Afro Punk opened the door to creating a pathway for personal success and rocking your vision in your way. Everyone does not need to be an engineer, lawyer, judge or teacher to start a revolution.

 

 

I am honored that our elders, leaders and ancestors paved the way for us to live more authentically. Because of those who came before, we can celebrate Afro Punk as a unique experience for undefined and unregulated black identity.  Now we can keep moving forward and acknowledge that the next era of Black freedom may not look the way our grandmothers had hoped.

 

For more on Afro Punk: Website www.afropunk.com

For more photos from Afro Punk, visit http://passions-ink.tumblr.com

• Like
• Tweet
• Email

Share this article