“Hardcore Has a Tough Guy Problem” One Year Later
On this day one year ago, I uploaded a 5-minute-long article that would change my writing perspective from then on. I wrote the post in response to specific behavior and incidents happening in my local Hardcore punk scene at the time. Once the article was published, those who were discussed proved shortly after why I wrote what I wrote.
After I published the article, I was faced with disgusting, racist, and misogynistic comments for a whole week straight. A few of my close friends and I were threatened and told that if we were ever seen in a specific city, there would be "consequences". Whatever THAT means. As all this unfolded within a matter of 7 days, several people in the HC scene came to me with an open mind and gave me great advice. I was able to admit that some of the points I made in the article were a bit premature, as I was still a "New-Gen" to Hardcore, while many people agreed that the issues I highlighted needed discussion.
The article and the reaction it received reignited a fire in me that was almost completely gone due to all of the neglect towards writing I had gone through in the past few years. It taught me that criticism is criticism and (though you may not like it) it is needed to grow as a Writer. It taught me that standing up for something requires being prepared for pushback, or you'll face disaster.
But the most important lesson for me was: If what you wrote ends up ruffling a few feathers, that means you did something right.
I want to thank those who stood by me during that crazy week, those who found my blog and have supported me ever since then, and those who came to me with kind words when it felt like the whole world hated me. I cannot express enough how much it helped me during that time. I appreciate you all so much.
