Skinheads

I get many questions from people who just cannot understand what a skinhead really is. They have no concept of their culture or what they stand for so in a few short words I am going to try and answer these questions.

First and foremost a skinhead is a working class youth/man, no if's or buts, his roots are working class and he identifies with the working class. Seldom does his work go beyond the lower echelons of working society, laborors, warehouse workers, building trades etc. Some lift themselves out of these mundane jobs but they are few and far between. Many are unemployed and live from hand to mouth on social security.

Skinheads came  into existance in the late 60's as the mods and rockers wained and the young working class lad started to find the West Indian culture of song and dance, using their work clothes and adapting it into a recognisable uniform. Boots were high and steel capped, pants were usually Levi jeans, 501 and faded but eventually being bleached to rid them of their new look, braces were a sign of the common working man and the polo shirt which was a later addition, but replaced the work shirt used originally. The jacket started as a donkey jacket or army cast off but eventually the MA1 in olive green took over. The uniform eveolved from a working man style to a smart recognisable style of their own.

The media caught upon the look and their perchance to soccer violence and blew it up out of all proportion but in doing so, others decided to get into the act. Many youth or hooligans hit on the shaved head look and so the soccer hooligan reputation began. The national Front or the military front for the Nazi Parti took the look also and as they had a racial predudice look on life became known as Boneheads, as skinheads were none racially predudiced. Their culture had come from the West Indian culture so why would they be racially predudiced. In all skinhead groups throughout the world all races are accepted into the brotherhood regardless, but the NF or WP (White Power) Boneheads have a racially based membership. They are not skinheads and any media outlet who allow themselves to use this name in relation to them are misinformed.

Why do we become a skinhead? We are working class and we are proud of our roots. Skinheads stand for the working class youth since the late 60's and are seen as more than just a gang of lads. It is the culture, the brotherhood, the music and the friendship that every skinhead worldwide knows is waiting for him in every country and in every city. It is not something you retire from when you marry or find a relationship. It is a love of culture for life, and you hang up your boots on top of your coffin.