Most people when they hear the term punk typically think of a group of people whose main goal is to cause trouble, but that’s not the truth. Punk is a whole lot more than black leather jackets, fist fights, and communism. To be punk is to be humanitarian before anything else. You’re not a punk if you don’t care about people because that’s what the entire movement is founded upon. A good punk seeks to learn about the past, be aware of the present, and looks to improve the future. Just because a punk is educated on the past doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re doing things to help make the world better. You must actively work towards a better future by caring about and improving the present. It’s about building and supporting your community. It’s to spit in the face of our oppressors by refusing to surrender ourselves and our identities. And a part of that is standing up for each other. It’s to inspire and be the change in our society. Revolution starts with empathy. If you’re a punk, you must have a passion for justice for all. How are we to become the bringers of change if we only care about ourselves? The answer is simple: we can’t.