SHARPs

A few months ago, when I asked for articles for Lost in the Suburbz issue #3, I was handed this by a friend of mine. I read it, thought 'that's nice' and put it on the pile with the rest. I didn't think about it again until I heard about the Russian skinhead teenagers being sentenced to a measly 3 years for the murder of 20 immigrants. The article about the Russian skinheads is here or here if you want to check it out for yourself.
But more importantly, it made me think about racism here in Perth. Our skinheads aren't obvious, I have yet to see men walking around with shaved heads, Fred Perry shirts and Docs, but on closer inspection, they do exist here in Perth. Just because they don't wear the stereotypical clothes, or bear a swastika on their clothes doesn't mean that they are not racist. Its increasingly hard to find non-white punks (yes, a handful do exist in Perth, but I'd like to see more). Fortunately, our neo-nazis are more often than not steam-blowers...all talk and no action, but it is a worrying trend that people still think it's acceptable to cast prejudice based upon the colour of someone's skin. Only the other day, I was at the Hydey when the bouncers all rushed past myself and some others because " a gang of aboriginals have rocked up. We [the bouncers] need to go and sort them out". Cue remarks and comments from all in the group...Somehow it was acceptable to do this, yet people won't stand around to hear a white supremacist song. People do not wish to stand around and be given racist messages in song or otherwise, yet it's fine to make jokes. Which is why I would like all people across Perth to stand back and ask themselves where their prejudices lie and where they come from, are the even valid? do you even know that's true? and more importantly why do I believe this?
Anyways, the article that started this rant is here


S.H.A.R.P ORIGINS
Skinheads.Against.Racial.Prejudice, was originally founded by an N.Y traditional skinhead, already by definition, a non racist.
After noticing the ever growing population of neo nazi skinheads, (boneheads) in and around N.Y and particularly the southern states, and as the members and notoriety of the Hammerskins gradually grew, so did the distaste of so many traditional skins, including Marcus Pacheco's.
So he then soon decided that it was about time something was done, to give the traditionals some kind of way to differentiate themselves from the neo nazi element. And to earn some kind of recognition for the real roots and origins of the first skinheads.
Which were basically black and white, working to middle class youth. United throughout a common sense of youth subculture, namely early reggae music and ska. They would congregate together mostly through dancehall nights put on by mainly Jamaican and West Indian promoters of such music. This occurred mostly in London during the mid to late 60s. Early skinhead dress sense and music was borrowed greatly from the Jamaican and West Indian "Rude Boy" and girl immigrants.
Already, there had been a surge of like minded traditional skins, before SHARP was conceived, called the "baldies". Who had brought themselves together as a group within the state of Minneapolis. Some filtered down to N.Y during 1987, after SHARP had just officially formed. The first chapter, (the NY chapter), was formed in 1987, with the aid of two close friends, Troy and Bruce, from a local tattoo parlour, Marcus rallied as many traditional skins as he could.
The only real difference between a SHARP and a 'Trad' at the time, was that the SHARP skinhead was now outspoken about anti racism, within and without the skinhead scene.
Where as their traditional counterparts were mostly considered non racist and not so outspoken, and of course not actively anti racist as given. Initially SHARP was mainly created as a vehicle to create an awareness for mainstream society; through flyers, word of mouth, and exposure of SHARP crews in and around NY and at shows/gigs. Those skinheads who would be wearing SHARP patches, badges, tshirts etc. Inevitably younger, and some more eager members of the movement would engage in taking a more actively anti racist stance.
Members of the Baldies within the NY scene would also engage in anti-racist activities when running into Boneheads on the Baldies turf. Both SHARP and Baldies members would disrupt neo nazi gigs and meetings within the NY boroughs by almost any means possible.
Within the local hardcore punk and punk oi scenes, there were a few supporters of SHARP as well. Amongst the earliest and most vocal supporters were Andre Schlesinger, vocalist from the oi/punk band The Press, and Jason O'Toole, vocalist from the NYHC band Lifesblood.
After a few years went by and an even newer and more eager SHARP members inducted themselves into the SHARP scene, by 'claiming' SHARP, and forming their own smaller crews, rather than actually being formally inducted into the NY SHARP chapter. The scene began to deteriorate.
This in turn creating what some of the old guard SHARP and Baldies alike would have referred to as a negative effect within the movements. Many newer untrialed members would claim SHARP or call themselves Baldies, in an effort to claim instant street cred, or claim SHARP or Baldie just as a convenient cover to do drugs and deal drugs on corners etc, relatively inconspicuously and freely. And feel that they had some kind of protection on certain NY turf. Also, many over zealous pc thugs who would maybe just shave their heads and claim SHARP, formed their own illegitimate SHARP crews, and would hunt down and victimise just about anyone who might have been rumoured to have hung out with, or know boneheads.
Gangs, crews of over zealous pc thugs, militant pc SHARP, who sought to dominate other crew with their over politicised agendas, only managed to further bring down the initially good reputation of the original SHARP movement. Inevitably infighting/squabbling ensued between the crews, which again tainted the SHARP cause. Many became disenchanted with what was initially a good noble movement. Further along, SHARP and baldy numbers dwindled, within the NY scene at least. Although since the first wave of SHARP, many other chapters have sprung up worldwide from Europe to Asia.
Roddy Moreno of the first outspoken anti racist/fascist European oi band the Oppressed, based in Cardiff, Wales, visited NY in 1989, after hearing about the SHARP movement there.
He spoke to Marcus Pacheco, and decided he would bring to Britain the idea of SHARP and set up the first british based chapters.
He had already helped to spearhead the Anti Fascist Action movement in his hometown. The group was compromised of anyone who opposed racism and fascist politics. As was its later American counterpart Anti Racist Action was, which was initially inspired and in some ways organised by ex SHARP and SHARP members.
By Adam M