The Opinions A Punk Survival Guide for Gen Z
Jun 4, 2025
John Cameron Mitchell, the visionary writer and performer behind "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," encourages Gen Z to embrace punk as a form of rebellion. He shares insights from his college tour, highlighting the tension between political correctness and open discourse in academia. Mitchell explores Gen Z's struggles with activism and cancel culture, advocating for new perspectives in the face of social isolation. He also reflects on punk's historical role in AIDS activism, emphasizing creativity and community as essential in revitalizing today’s punk spirit.
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College Tour Reveals Pressures
- John Cameron Mitchell toured 14 colleges to teach and discuss cultural and political issues.
- He found students pressured both by political correctness and external political forces, creating a narrow space for discourse.
Cancel Culture Limits Activism
- Young people are caught in a rush to political correctness that isolates them socially.
- They end up canceling each other instead of addressing larger oppressive powers.
Political Sides Mirror Society
- The political right's aggressive trolling contrasts with a left that has become more puritanical and conservative in behavior.
- American society inherently contains puritanical elements, impacting both sides.