Who here actually knows what skinheads are about?

Im sick of people calling skinheads racists and such when really know one knows what they're on about.

Skinheads started in the late 60s in here in Britain when gangs of Mods began cropping their hair and mixed with the West-Indian immigrants of that era and began to indulge in reggae music, and they wore boots and braces as a large portion of these people were dock workers who wore big boots and braces whilst working and incorpareted that into the style.

It is true that both black and white skinheads partook in "Paki-bashing" at this time when tensions over work were high, but most did not do this.

The revival in the 70s/80s was when the real problems began. With bands like Sham 69 giving bith to Oi music, skinheads were back, to give the stale, middle class punk scene a bloody nose. The two-tone scene also helped Ska and Reggae regain its popularity among skins.

The fair right then moved in, recruiting SOME skins and stealing the style, which of course the media lapped up.

Who here actually knows what skinheads are about?

I think the British definition of "skinhead" and the American definition of "skinhead" are totally different.

In America, Skinhead is used to refer to a sect of neo-Nazis who express their views with unfettered racism, complex displays of their faith in the Nazi regime and their utter intolerance of other ethnic or "weak" groups. I have met and spoken with Skinheads here and know my experience with them is correct and the majority of the people in this group fill that definition. They can be intimidating and frightening people.

Rent and see the movie "American History X" starring Edward Norton. It will give you a pretty good idea of what Americans assume skinheads are about.

Though I read the Wikipedia article and see your definition is correct as well. It's a shame that something so harmless became so entangled with racism and bigotry.

Who here actually knows what skinheads are about?

The only common factor is the hair style and the mode of dress. Next to that, they're different entities entirely.

Who here actually knows what skinheads are about?

I know what skinheads are all about. :)

If you look at the questions i have answered, i have defender the skinhead image. It sucks that such a good thing had to be infested with such filth.