Monday 28 March 2011
60s Subcultures
BLACK PANTHERS
the black panthers
HIPPIES
The hippie movement was a very popular and youthful subculture that arose in the United States during the mid 60's.
Rude boy was a wave that defined a lifestyle, character and attitude. The term was originally used to describe the poor masses of kingston town throughout the 50s but in 1962 after Jamaica gained independence Rude Boy was to portray a very different body of hardcore individuals. This wasn't by any means the first subculture that circulated Jamaican societies but it was the first that the youths of Jamaica chose to manifest throughout the 60s. After independence a massive 1/3 of the entire population found themselves unemployed, a huge 70% of these people were young men and women of Jamaica which were soon to represent the Rude Boys and Girls for their rebellious demeanour. Aged mainly between 14 to 25 these youngsters had become dangerous and boisterous and young women were forced into prostitution and drugs. Curfew were set on the streets and crime had never been worse. They often carried ratchet knives and handguns which they did not doubt of using when needed.
Not always but usually the sound of Rock steady and Ska filled the hot air with optimistic, indubitable and meaningful lyric but this wasn't enough to convince these angry youths. Their inspiration for style was mainly grasped from American gangster movies and Jazz musicians. Shaved heads, sunglasses at all hours, pork pie hats and 3 button tonic suits were a way of imitating the wealthy but securing an intimidating and gangster look. Their style, posture, and expressive dance all defined this aggressive subculture.
In the Uk it wasn't long before the essence of this refinement was to fit and influence the working class members of the British society which later created their own sub culture that we refer to as the 'Skin Heads.' They mainly found similarity through music, fashion and lifestyle but crime did also take its toll on British streets. Many subcultures and cults had emerged all promoting some very strong, unfair and pessimistic opinions which resulted in severe crime that exploited various cultures. This availability of behaviour had a lot to do with the influence from the west indies and people gained a very violent and forceful way of expression.
In recent years street crimes have again become evident, the younger majority fighting and killing each over battle's that have insignificant meaning. In comparison to then and now music has become a more negative wave of expression that sends raging messages to these unaware youngsters which are populating our streets and resulting into crime, nowadays we still refer to them as 'Rude Boys!'
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| Young Taylor, raising flag at Jamaican Independence, 6th August 1962 |
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Laurel Aitken 'Godfather of Ska'
Everybody knows I'm a rude boy Walking the streets of dreams. Everybody knows I'm a rude boy Walking the streets of dreams. I'm just an ordinary man With ordinary plans. I'm just an ordinary man With ordinary plans. I had a dream last night That I was a rich man, But when I woke up this morning I found out I was a poor man. I dreamt I was the president Living in a tent, But when I woke up this morning I was thrown out for not paying the rent. No mama, no papa, and I live in the ghetto. I'm just a child from a broken home. |
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| Riot on streets of Brixton in 60s |
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| Street gangs of recent years |
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| 'Unknown hooded' by Banksy |
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London skinheads, 1970 going to F.A Cup Final. Original skin's were not racist as they embraced the Jamaican culture.
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