January 2011 Editorial

Christmas time is known by many as "the season for giving", but what comes after that? Does that make the  time after Christmas "The Season of Selfishness"? If it isn't, then maybe it should be. Throughout our entire lives, and especially during our childhood years we are told that selfishness is a negative personality trait and that we should always share. But what if I told you that I was a self admitted selfish person? Does that make me a bad person, or even less kind than someone who gives his own lunch to a homeless man?

What if I told you that someone can be selfish and charitable at the same time? I believe many people in the Punk scene are quite selfish individuals themselves, and here's why.

I live my life as an individual, an individual that is part of a society albeit, but nevertheless an individual who is concerned with his own well being and happiness at the forefront of my life. During an average week, one could find me doing a number of different things; Helping my grandfather, doing graphic design for friends, cooking dinner for the family, listening to music (a lot), working on something for this magazine, giving someone a ride, hanging out with friends, helping elderly friends of the family or working. The funny thing is that every single one of those things would be done for selfish reasons; simply because I enjoy doing them. They are actions that come from the heart and are sincere.  I am not telling you all of this to toot my own horn so to speak, but rather to convey that being selfish does not have to mean that one only does things that only benefit themselves. Of course besides being selfish there are things that we must do as an obligation, and must be done weather joy plays a part in the equation or not, such as caring for your children or paying a debt to someone. Of course many of life's obligations come from our own actions, and so we must take responsibility for situations that we ourselves have created through neglect or on purpose, otherwise commonly known as personal responsibility. Common sense right?

Now what about Punks being selfish? They can't be selfish can they? They are supporters of the underdog, the downtrodden and things that are unpopular and not always endorsed by the mainstream.  Why do they do it? Is there no enjoyment obtained from rooting for the little guy, or is it done simply because that's what the scene expects meaning that no real feelings or convictions play a part in these decisions. That can't be true or else Punks would simply be doing things just to fit in with a group and not out of conviction. Everything a true Punk does is out of selfishness from dying their hair, to donating time to the needy. Think about this, there's a 16 year old kid and he dyes his hair and gets a Mohawk. Even though he knows his parents don't like it he gets the haircut anyway and they let him. Selfishness. A few years later the kid graduates high school and his parents want him to go to college, but he decides he'd rather tour with his band. More selfishness. On the surface that's just a lot of self gratification, but really it's just individuality; taking one's own path to happiness. In due time he'll find out that doing things for others sometimes may indeed make him feel happier. The Joy of giving.

Though it is true, not every person will be inclined to give to others, and will never find joy in doing things for someone else, but that is greed, and though we may not like it, we must respect each person's individuality and freedom to choose their own path so long as they do no harm to others either directly or not. So go ahead, be selfish, but remember that charity, enjoyment and giving can come from selfishness too.

-Matt C.-
Editor in Chief

 

 

 

 

Send your comments to the editor HERE