What do you think a skinhead really is all about?

Question

My boyfriend is/used to be one...a traditional one...so I'm curious if any of you know what the true meaning of it is?

Just so all of you know--to clear it up....I do know what a traditional one is all about--and it is not by any means racism!! In fact it's the opposite...this is why I asked this question because so many people out there don't know the truth about a lot of things...

Answer 1

Originally just a working-class youth cult like all the others. In the 60s it was about clothes, reggae music and fighting with the stinking greasers.

There was nothing racist about it, but there was mindless teenage violence (which can be fun).

In the 70s it was hijacked by Neo-Nazis, and ever after that's what people think of it.

I still have "Skinhead" tattooed on the back of my neck. I ain't into white power. Never have been. Ha! Far from it. The very idea!

Answer 2

Skinheads, as we know of them today, are people who believe that there is one "true" race, usually those of WASP --white protestant anglo-saxon-- descent, and also those who are heterosexual. They are people who hate for the fun of it. It gives them a past-time, a hobby. They are people who do not believe in or respect diversity. It further establishes for many a 'sense' of common identity by making an in group and a negative out-group: "We the 'true' race are the ins, and those other than us are out" --lower, inferior, mediocre.

Contrary to popular belief, they are not always shaven to hairless nor do they wear Doc Martens. They can look like anyone really --of course of Western European descent.

In the US, they are mostly about estalishing an all white nation through "White Power". This however, is truly impossible in the US. People who immigrated here have intermarried with one another and also the Native peoples, making a "pure" race truly impossible to achieve. They also are NOT about extreme nationalism. Some burn the US flag because they feel the US government and its systems are not promoting a true state, a pure white state. And will openly curse government officials who promote diversity in any way.

If you are very interested, however, you should really be asking your boyfriend about this. He would be able to give you his views as well. And seeing as he's a "former" skinhead, he may be able to tell you why he left.

Answer 3

I also think the origin of the neo nazi movement is different. But I know that they have done some evil stuff. I scares me that some white people are capable of such atrocities. A lot of times they will say things like "I didn't enslave your people", "I didn't murder your race and steal your land", "I didn't give your people a virus and eliminate your race then rape them and force our religion on them". No but you would have. Even now while there is a holocaust going on in the middle east and more than half the people know that our government conspired in 911 everyone pretends all is cool as long as gas is cheap.

Answer 4

There are several different types of skinheads, in terms of style and political beliefs. Some skinheads don't fit into any of these categories, and many display characteristics of more than one category. The usefulness of these terms is to explain the dominant forces of skinhead social structure.


Style categories
Traditional skinheads (Trads, Trojan Skinheads) - They identify with the original skinhead movement (The Spirit of 69) in terms of music, style, culture and working class pride. Unlike the other categories, traditionalist skinheads often do not regard attitudes toward racism as central to the subculture.
Oi! skins and Punk-skinheads - Originating after the development of punk rock, they prefer Oi! and punk music. They often have shorter hair and more tattoos — and wear items such as high boots, tight jeans, T-Shirts and flight jackets. Although the original Oi! bands advocated a pro-worker populist stance, the Oi! fanbase includes a wide range of political beliefs.
Hardcore skins - An American-based version of skinheads, part of the hardcore punk music scene associated with bands such as Iron Cross, Agnostic Front, Cro-mags, Sheer Terror, Warzone and Murphy's Law. Originating in the early 1980s, they differ from traditional skinheads by their musical tastes and a style of dress that is less strict. Political views vary, and are not essential to this group.

Political categories
Anti-racist (SHARP) - Aggressively opposed to neo-Nazism and racism, although not always political in terms of other issues. The label SHARP is sometimes used to describe all anti-racist skinheads, even if they aren't members of a SHARP organization. Some anti-racist skins have been involved with political groups such as Anti-Fascist Action.
White Power, Fascist or Neo-Nazi - Racist, extremely nationalistic and highly political. Despite the common moniker, many Nazi-Skinheads have no connection to the original skinhead culture in terms of style or interests. SHARPs and traditional skinheads often refer to them as Boneheads.
Left wing - Anti-racist and anti-fascist, taking a militant pro-worker stance. This category includes Redskins and Anarcho-Skinheads. The most well-known organization in this category is RASH.
Right wing - Conservative and patriotic, but not necessarily extreme or fascistic.
Apolitical or Centrist - Doesn't get involved in politically divisive issues, or keeps them separate from the skinhead subculture.

Answer 5

the true meaning?
hate, racism, pureness, power and control.
if he used to be one? he must not be his own person and cannot make his own decisions...weakness is frowned upon in the "skinhead" world.
i am not a skinhead, but have many friends/family who are....it's not cool.
this is 2006 and all races are not "pure" anymore, can't we all just get along?

Answer 6

Power and Control.

Answer 7

I think its for ppl who cant decide what hairstyle to have, and they are angry about that

Answer 8

They're racist pieces of crap!