"Oh No, Someone's Attracted To The Aesthetics Of My -punk Movement But Doesn't Know The Praxis And History

"Oh no, someone's attracted to the aesthetics of my -punk movement but doesn't know the praxis and history behind it like I do--"

OK. Tell them. Make it a teaching moment. Everyone who's in your movement learned the background from somewhere at some point, maybe this is that point for that person. Give them a jumping off point that they can dive into later.

"Oh but I shouldn't be responsible for teaching baby -punks about the history and the how-tos and--"

OK. Then don't tell them. You don't have to be responsible for teaching people with a budding interest in your group the ins and outs and how-tos. That's fair and valid! It can be a lot of work. Someone else will handle it

"But I'm annoyed that they would try to claim to be part of/be interested in my community without knowing all the details that I know after being in it for months/years/decades, they're dumb, they're posers, they're--"

OK. Then don't engage with them, if it's that bad. Maybe someone else will come around and tell them the history, maybe they'll pick it up on their own, maybe they'll just enjoy the fashion elements for awhile.

"But they shouldn't claim to be part of the -punk community if they don't know the--"

I feel like we have a few options here. People can either talk to them, share the history, share the values, share the praxis. Or they can just chase off anyone who even thinks about dipping a toe in their community, and then wonder why it's dying off later down the line.

I dunno, maybe I'm too naive and patient or whatever. But if people are entering your -punk spaces without knowing The Rundown of what you feel they need to know, maybe being nice about it and informing people instead of immediately assuming stupidity and malicious intent could help you make a new friend. Even the loudest voices in a space had to learn from somewhere, and not everyone has the luxury of being in the space as the History was Happening--whether it's an age thing or a not being aware of the space thing. Or maybe I just don't see what the big deal is behind people hating people who like the aesthetic of something and don't know the behind the scenes history about it yet.

Because I believe in the word 'yet.' No one comes into this world knowing everything about everything, and we're all constantly learning new things. I'm not gonna degrade someone and call them a poser for not knowing what I know. Because if it were me, interested in a scene but getting chased out and called a poser? I wouldn't hit the books and study up, I'd go 'that fuckin sucks, those people sucked' and then avoid anyone and anything having to do with it.

So chase people off and call them posers if you want. But if your community starts dwindling, don't be fucking shocked.

Disclaimer: According to people I know, I have no fashion sense. Or a negative score with it.

My sister, mother, and some friends say denim on denim is against the rules of fashion. Wtf are the rules of fashion?? Can I break them more?

I respect you if you are into fashion, know it, and enjoy it. Trust me, I love my little sister and respect her special interest on it. But as someone who wears 2-3 t-shirts on rotation and doesn’t have much of a fashion sense, I wanna wear it when I feel like it. I am working on getting a new wardrobe though.

My rule is if it makes me happy I’ll wear it. I recognize it can look bad and clash, but if I do it right and it makes me happy, I’m good with it.

“it’s weird for queer minors to be friends with queer adults” oh my god. ohhh my god.

JASON RED HOOD TODD IS A FASHIONISTA!

I just think Jason Todd should get into historical fashion again.

Batman #413 // Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer: Gotham by Gaslight #1

Image description: First image is part of a comic page from Batman #413, showing Bruce Wayne in a suit walking up to a young Jason Todd, in a museum. Bruce reaches toward Jason with a smile and says, “Good afternoon, Jason...I didn’t expect to run into you here.” Jason turns to him and smiles back, holding a tiny notebook and pencil in his hand, and he says, “Bruce! Hi! I left you a note when I got home from school. Right now our class is studying European history--the Napoleonic Wars--but the school thought it would be a good idea for us to take advantage of this opportunity, too.” Jason gestures at a display of three historical women’s outfits, then he says, “Like, that stuff over there is all old clothes people were actually wearing at the time of those wars. Some of it’s pretty interesting...And they said we could do extra credit on this Japanese stuff, if we wanted to pull our grades up. My history grade could use the help...”

Second image is part of a comic page from Search for Ray Palmer: Gotham by Gaslight #1, showing a 19th century Gotham City with people milling around. Jason Todd is standing staring around the city, dressed in period-typical clothing with a dark top hat and jacket. Behind him are Donna Troy, Kyle Rayner, and Bob the Monitor, all dressed in similar Victorian outfits. Jason’s narration boxes say, “It’s really weird, but as alien as this place is, I know it well. Gotham City is Gotham City no matter where or when you find it. I can see myself living here. I can feel the rightness of that. I would fit here, I think, in ways I don’t everywhere else...”

Third image is a cropped part of a comic page from Batman #413 showing Bruce, Alfred, and Jason in the Batcave, near a desk and various equipment. Bruce is in his Batsuit without the cowl, smiling at Jason who is wearing civilian clothing sitting at the desk where there is a book and papers. Alfred is carrying a tray with a glass of water over to Jason. Bruce leans against the desk as he says, “Maybe they couldn’t...but your guardian is a little better informed than they are. What’s your report on?” Jason says, “Oh...a comparison of everything in the Tahara Exhibit with everything we’ve learned about England in the early nineteenth century...weapons, clothes, pots, pans, art...I don’t know if I’ll ever need to know that stuff again, but my teacher loves it.” Jason takes the glass from Alfred as Alfred tells Bruce, “I took the liberty of looking over Master Jason’s report when he’d completed it, Master Bruce. It seemed most comprehensive. I’m certain the professor will be impressed.” Jason grins and says, “Thanks, Alfred. I guess I shouldn’t worry too much about missing a couple of nights on patrol. After all, not even Batman and Robin can be everywhere at once.”

Fourth image is a cropped comic panel from Search for Ray Palmer: Gotham by Gaslight showing Jason in Victorian clothing, tapping the shoulder of Bob the Monitor as Kyle and Donna watch from behind. Jay says, “Wait a minute...we’re trying to find the impossible and we’re overlooking the perfect resource...Bob--does this world have a Batman yet?” Bob says, “Indeed. A few other costumed heroes as well...”

skeletons

I’m always gonna be pissed that amatonormatvity as a term and a model for understanding society was literally mocked into disuse by exclusionists because of its association with aromantic folks.

Amatonormativity, honestly, has approximately fuck-all to do with aros. We did not even coin it, we’re simply the only people who actually take it seriously cause we’re among the ones who are most hurt by it. And it PISSES me the fuck off that it is not a widespread model used in greater queer discussions.