What the #*@% is Punk?

     Before this documentary, I use to view punk as loud ruckus performed by angry people. I never considered the DIY concept or even began to acknowledge something other than music could be considered punk. Punk is quite literally an attempt to step outside of the system, it is an independent idea or thought where one saw a problem so they created a solution. The solution could range from anything from music to building a school for children in need of an education. Punk is counter-cultural with lifestyles in opposition to those who established that culture. With its confrontational action, punk music is typically loud, fast, obnoxious, and not to mention the people's choice of fashion is ever so "unique." In this movie, it documented the lives of punk artists in Brazil, Indonesia, and Canada, and what it is like to live as a punk and DIY artist in these reimagined communities.

     Indonesia and Brazil were the primary focused on countries in this documentary. Before this, I never realized how both were third world countries or how much each struggled with oppression. Henrike talks of the children being subjected into being drug dealers in Brazil, and how much of a daily battle that is on the kids. He discusses the hate and abuse that goes on in the homes of some of these children with almost no emotion, as if it is a common occurrence. That itself made me realize just how brutal life can be growing up out there, and Henrike's selfless attitude to reach out to those kids moved me.

     The stories of the life in Indonesia were as well heartbreaking. I had originally known Indonesia was a country of poverty but never acknowledged the never ending battle they had with their government. As explained by Jerinx in the interview, they are stuck between two different worlds, trying to be more western or being more of tradition. The people themselves are confused with who they are as a country. Dolly works at a Nike factory and alludes to the abuse he receives from his boss and how he travels four hours on a bus daily to get to work, only to be paid about $2.65 an hour. In America, with the labor laws we possess, it is hard for one to imagine the brutal work that goes into those factories and getting such little pay out of it. Let alone, it is hard to imagine that job is Dolly's only option. Both countries possess qualities of oppression, poverty, and lack opportunity and watching these men fight it out and find a "remedy to their sickness" through punk is awe-inspiring.

     At first, finding ways I could relate to these artists seemed almost impossible. I do not live in poverty and I never have considered myself punk in anyway. Though, in watching this film I did realize I shared some common ground with the artist in some way. When Henrike discusses how he was born and raised Catholic and how Christianity was a huge influence on his life, I can relate. He goes on to discuss how he does not consider himself a huge religion buff, but he has a tattoo of the Virgin Mary on his arm and continues with saying he "thanked God his kids are ok." To me, this just exemplifies how uncomfortable he is with discussing his religion, which I am the opposite. But I get a hint that he is more religious than he thinks, he just has an issue with the extremists and the hypocrites, which I do as well. Religion is a touchy topic in both Indonesia and Brazil, especially if you are a punk rocker, because typically society shuns you. I believe Henrike and Jerinx do not feel like religions are being used properly in society, and to an extent I think we can all agree with that.

    After watching this, I grew to better understand the influence our culture has on these countries. In the video it was discussed how people of these countries are trying to westernize themselves to be more like us. But also, in better understanding, I realize what I do has an effect on the global community as a whole. In retrospect to the Nike factory workers story, we as Americans can hold an effect on their situation. Yes, if we stop buying from Nike, people like Dolly might lose their jobs and only way of income. If we acknowledged the situation and became aware the consequences then DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT, we might be able to come up with a better solution. It is true, refusing to purchase Nike might make workers in Indonesia lose their only job, but it also might force the country to create their own companies to thrive off of, or better yet, start enforcing labor laws. In hand though, America will just transfer their factory to a different country without labor laws, because that is the "easy way out." Basically, everything  is a chain reaction in this global community that we all share. Everything we do can effect someone else and what we purchase benefits where we purchase. We have to grow aware of these concepts and work to better not just us, but our neighboring countries as well.