Member Since: 29/06/2006
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Every month we will feature a different Punk Prototype girl. If you would like to be featured please email us your story, your work and your pictures. You will also receive a little goody bag in the mail.
Punk Prototype of the Month is, Beatrice Demesier
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Beatrice
My life as a Punk Prototype:
I remember it all began when I was much younger and growing up in Harlem. Everyone in my family had an ear for an array of musical styles which I soon grew accustomed to. Some of the first sounds I remember listening to were Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Blondie, the Clash, and Pink Floyd. Surprisingly enough MTV was somewhat influential as well. I'd watch it 24/7 and get turned on to more categories of music.
Among my peers I was always considered to be the girl with a lot of knowledge when it came to music but unfortunately, that changed when I moved to Brooklyn. It was a whole different atmosphere for me and I wasn't familiar with the characteristics that the kids here were adapted to. As a result I was automatically considered the outcast in school. I was constantly teased about my clothes and what I listened to. That whole experience and not being fully accepted inspired me to change to fit in to what they thought was or what was considered to be cool. I changed my style of clothing and started listening to the music that kids were into; R&B, rap and reggae which, coincidentally I did enjoy.
I ended up completely changing my image and totally forgetting the person I was before I made the change. For several years I was a total fraud and lying to others to blend in. When I entered high school it was even more of a challenge, I came across subjects that gave more of an outcome of isolation and fabrication and throughout that episode I was eager for a breakthrough. I got into this program called Let's Talk About It where I acquainted with others who weren't so deprived of a variety of things that I happened to be shamefully fond of. While I still was of the mindset that if I opened up I'd be considered an outsider, I'd study people's reactions to each other to see how they were perceived or judged. I wanted to see if I could open up and ''BE MYSELF''. From what I observed they were accepted yet misunderstood. As a result I was influenced but still afraid. It was such a struggle for me that I decided to transfer to an alternative school; a school that I figured would be less of a problem since it was located in the middle of the city. I felt that transferring was the most suitable thing to do due to the fact I wasnt happy and focus. The school ended up being very diverse and I was able to make friends with people who were a lot like me. People who were open minded and didn't for example stereotype me as an R&B and rap listening Haitian American or as whatever the media and most deprived kids think a black person is or should be.
Being introduced to Afropunk kicked it all up a notch and I learned that I wasn't alone in the struggle growing up. Afropunk made me feel good to see many blacks unite and make a statement to others that blacks are in fact very diverse and are in touch with our roots. Surrounding myself with people who were the total opposite of those I practically grew up with brought about a drastic change. I turned into the person I really was; someone who was thought of highly and who stood for what I truly believed in. Someone who was in touch with what I was most fond of: opinions on religion and sexuality and overall my basic philosophy on everything affecting me day to day. I'd make a statement first by wearing what I felt like wearing, saying what I felt like saying, doing what I felt like doing, and listening to what I felt like listening to. Finally and most importantly I believed in what I felt like believing in thanks to the attitude I have today; that I am a more honest person and especially happy as a result.
THE END!!!
Sincerely,