VOIDPUNK
A subculture exclusive to marginalized groups that are often dehumanised due to their uncommon qualities, such as disability, sexuality, gender, mental health, and more. Voidpunk aims to accept said dehumanisation, embracing individuality and the challenging of social norms.
WHAT
Voidpunk - a contraction of 'void-' meaning "emptiness" or "lack of something", and the suffix "-punk".It is not a movement. Though it can be seen as a more passive sibling of the punk subculture: striving to be different from a personal perspective, rather than outwardly challenging the social norms. It is a non offensive and peaceful form of anti-human defiance only meant to benefit oneself.
The culture is meant to be inclusive and open to all dehumanised individuals, promoting a sense of self confidence and acceptance of ones differences. Life becomes a lot easier when being called subhuman is suddenly a compliment. It reclaims the very definition of it, and further supporting the notion that non-humans are still worthy of respect!
WHY
Embracing dehumanisation is an understandably odd behaviour. As humans are social creatures, they're instinctively driven to form groups of humans with similar qualities. So when one doesn't fit into said groups, it can be a harshly lonely experience, especially when these majority groups humiliate those minorities.
Rather than attempting to refute the harassment and fit in with these majority groups, it's easier for some to instead accept that they are different and do not fit into human society. This creates a unique experience of individuality, and forms a group of minorities that can sympathise with one another.
EXAMPLES
Imagine...A one legged individual, who watches the two-legged humans walking by every single day. Those who walk have more work opportunities, easier access, and nobody pities them. How does one fit into a society that was made for two legged individuals? How can one fit when they're expected to work, live, and love, like every other human?A sex repulsed individual in highschool, surrounded by teenagers that are socially driven by their instinctive desire to mate. When one explains their lack of attraction, it can be met with disbelief, anger, pity, and ignorance. How does one fit into a group when they cannot experience a feeling that others can?A non-binary individual, unable to be seen as the person they are. Always asked to answer "male or female?", when their experience does not match up with traditional masculine or feminine expressions. How does one fit into a society dedicated to a gender binary, that only accepts one or two, and does not provide resources for many others.Instead of these individuals trying to fit in, why not be themselves?
HOW
How one's rejection of society's expectations portrays itself is up to the individual. Though voidpunk is commonly themed as sci-fi, eldritch, surreal, animalistic, objects - specifically stressing one's non-human qualities.
Some - though certainly not all - voidpunk individuals express their creative selves through the concept of a 'voidsona' (derived from 'persona'). These are artistically created ideas of oneself, often exaggerated or using metaphors to convey a personality or type.
The flag created by online user honteuzaikonfu was designed to represent the 'who' in voidpunk."The two purple stripes at the top of the flag represent asexual individuals, as well as non-binary individuals. The green at the bottom is for aromantic and neurodivergent individuals. The thin white barrier across the middle represents the unity of the many different (sub)communities across the subculture, while the black circle stands for a black hole, symbolizing the void as well as a lack of humanity."These colours have since heavily influenced voidpunk aesthetic, but is certainly not a requirement.
WHO
The single rule of voidpunk is that one must be dehumanised in some way, whether directly or indirectly.Examples of dehumanised identities include (but are definitely not limited to) individuals that are...
- Otherkin/Alterhuman/Therians
- Physically Disabled
- Aromantic and Asexual
- Non-Binary
- Neurodivergent
MORE VOIDPUNKCarrd created by Jeb_CC, Aroace and proudly voidpunk
Images created by Dream AI