Who are skinheads: neo-Nazis or a teenage subculture? Subculture. British History X

Skinhead (from English skinhead - shaved head) - a special trend in fashion that arose thanks to the emergence of a subculture of the same name among working-class London youth in the 60s of the twentieth century and then spread throughout the world. Closely associated with musical styles such as ska, reggae and street punk (aka Oi!). Some of the representatives of this subculture grew up from the environment, others experienced the significant influence of the West Indian ore-boys.

Initially, this movement was famous for its apolitical nature and was focused only on fashion, music and a certain lifestyle. However, over time, some of the skinheads became involved in politics and joined various extreme movements, both left and right, as a result of which neo-Nazi and anarchist movements separated from the traditional skinheads who remained true to their ideals.

Story

At the end of the 50s of the twentieth century, Great Britain was gripped by a real economic boom, which, despite all the existing restrictions, significantly increased the income level of young people from the working class. Some of the young people preferred to spend all their money on new clothes, for which they received the nickname - mods. Their subculture was characterized by a special affinity for fashion, music and scooters. It was the mods, or rather their offshoot, the so-called hard mods, who were the first to wear work or army boots, straight or sta-prest, with buttons and suspenders. Unlike their more “refined” counterparts, these mods took particular pride in emphasizing their working-class affiliation, cutting their hair much shorter and not averse to fighting. Hard fashion finally developed into a separate movement around 1968 and around the same time they received a new nickname - skinheads.

Skinheads still retained some of the features of the previous mods, but they were greatly influenced by the style of the Rude Boys, immigrants from Jamaica who settled in England. Along with their behavior and some style features, skinheads borrowed from them a love for ska, rocksteady and early reggae. The latter was so popular in this environment that sellers even began to add the prefix “skinhead” to the word reggae in order to increase record sales.

The skinhead subculture was finally formed by 1969. By this time, skinheads had become so popular that the band Slade even used their appearance as an example for their stage image. Skinheads became even more popular thanks to Richard Allen's novels Skinhead and Skinhead Escapes, which featured plenty of sex scenes and fights.

However, by the beginning of the 70s, the former popularity of skinheads began to decline. Many of the representatives of this trend moved to other groups and began to call themselves in a new way: suedeheads, smoothies or bootboys. Previous trends that were once characteristic of mods, such as brogues, suits, slacks and sweaters, have returned to fashion.

At the end of the 70s, the skinhead subculture was resurrected again, thanks to the emerging punk movement. Around the same time, for the first time in the history of this subculture, some skinhead groups became involved in politics, and began to adhere to far-right movements such as the National Front and the British Movement.

Since 1979, the number of skinheads has increased significantly. One of the most favorite pastimes of these young people was fighting on football matches. However, despite this, among them there were still those who were guided by the previous style. One way or another, such behavior attracted widespread attention from the press. Skinheads, just like fashion once upon a time new threat to society.

Ultimately, the skinhead subculture went far beyond the borders of Britain and continental Europe, appearing in Australia and the USA, but with its own local specifics.

Style

Traditional skinheads take as a basis the style of the original subculture that arose in the 60s of the twentieth century.

The Oi! skinhead movement was heavily influenced by 70s punk culture, so their appearance is somewhat different.

• They usually have shorter hair, taller shoes and tighter jeans. Tattoos have become popular among skinheads at least since the “revival” of the movement in the 70s. In the 1980s in the UK you might even find skinheads with tattoos on their foreheads or faces, although this practice is no longer as common. American skinheads preferred to adhere to the hardcore style, and this is one of their territorial features.

Hair

Most skinheads cut their hair with a razor with a No. 2 (sometimes No. 3) attachment. Thus, the hairstyle was short and neat, but the head did not appear completely bald. However, over time, hair length became shorter and shorter, and by the 80s, some representatives shaved their hair “clean up”. Among skinheads it is usually not customary to wear a mustache and beard, but sideburns are extremely popular and have always been carefully maintained.

• As for girls, in the 60s most of them continued to adhere to the mod style, however, starting from the 80s, the Chelsea haircut became especially popular, when the hair on the top of the head was shaved very short, leaving the back, temples and bangs long. Some girls preferred a more punk version, leaving only their bangs and temples long.

Clothes and accessories First of all, skinheads have always been famous for their button-down shirts, with short or long sleeves , as well as polo T-shirts. Favorite brands include Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Brutus, Warrior or Jaytex. Also popular are shirts or Everlast, shirts with button-down collars, V-neck sweaters or similar

sleeveless vests, as well as cardigans and T-shirts. Some skinheads targeting Oi! or the hardcore scene wore plain white shirts. This style was especially common in North America. The most popular jackets were harringtons, bombers, denim jackets (usually blue, sometimes decorated with light spots using bleach), dunk jackets, crombie coats, parkas and much more. Traditional skinheads sometimes wore suits made from a special fabric (a shiny material resembling terrycloth, the color of which shimmered depending on the angle and light). Typically, the trouser legs were rolled up to emphasize the beauty of high boots or open if the legs were wearing moccasins or brogues at the time. Sometimes the jeans were also decorated with bleach stains. This style was especially popular among Oi! skinheads.

The girls wore almost everything the same, and in addition mini-, fishnet stockings or short skirt suits with ¾-length sleeves.

Most skinheads wore suspenders that were no more than one inch wide. Wider suspenders may be associated with the far-right neo-fascist wing of White Power skinheads. Traditionally, suspenders are crossed at the back, however some Oi! oriented skinheads don't do this. Traditional skinheads wear black or white suspenders, sometimes decorated with vertical stripes. Often, due to the color of this accessory, skinheads determine the group to which its owner belongs.

The most common headdresses among skinheads were: pork-pie hat, felt hats, caps, woolen winter hats (without a tassel). A less common option were bowler hats. They were mainly preferred by iceheads and fans cult film"A Clockwork Orange"

Traditional skinheads also often wore silk in the breast pocket of their crombie coat or in the pocket of a suit made of their favorite iridescent material. Often a given piece of fabric was chosen in a contrasting color. Sometimes it was wrapped around a small cardboard so that it looked like a neatly folded handkerchief from the outside. Among skinheads, it was customary to choose colors that corresponded to their favorite football club. Sometimes wool or silk scarves with the symbols of their favorite team were wrapped around the neck, wrist or belt loop.

Some iceheads carried canes, which is why they received another nickname: brolly boys (from the English brolly - umbrella).

• Shoes

Initially, skinheads wore simple military boots from army supplies. Later, Dr. brand work boots became popular in this environment. Martens, especially cherry colored ones. Them skinheads they polished them to a shine and always made sure that their favorite shoes looked neat. In addition, skinheads wore brogues, moccasins and low Dr. boots. Martens. During the 60s of the twentieth century, Dr. high boots became especially popular. Martens with steel toes hidden under the leather, which turned out to be quite appropriate in street fights.

In recent years, skinheads have switched to other brands of shoes, such as Solovair or Tredair, as Dr. Martens are no longer produced in England. Gradually, sports shoes of the brands or Gola became fashionable among skinheads, in which they were comfortable to attend football matches.

Girls usually wore the same shoes as boys, and in addition, the so-called monkey boots. The brand of choice for this model has long been Grafters, but today the same boots are made by Dr. Martens and Solovair.

For a time, skinheads preferred to wear boots painted in the colors of their favorite club, but over time, the color of the shoes, like the suspenders, began to carry symbolic meaning. (Angel) /

SKINHEADS

Arkady Mintaev

IS IT EASY TO BE YOUNG. Skinheads or skins are members of a relatively new informal stylistic countercultural youth movement that arose in Europe and America around the 60-80s. The word "skinhead" comes from the fusion of two: skin - "skin" and head - "head"; the word skinhead literally translates as “leather head”. In Russia, representatives of the skinhead movement prefer to call themselves “skinheads”, since, in their opinion, this name sounds more patriotic. All participants in the movement shave their heads until they shine and wear special military-style paraphernalia (white and green camouflage). They have their own customs and traditions, their own musical culture. Compared to other informal youth groups, Russian skinheads have a fairly complex and developed ideology. Our politicians do not always take this into account. But there are many dangers here.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SKIN MOVEMENT IN RUSSIA. Early 90s

The first skinheads appeared in Russia in the early 90s. They were first seen in Moscow, which has since become considered the ideological and spiritual center of the skin movement. At this time, there were no more than a few dozen fans of skin culture and ideology in Moscow.

The main place for meetings and communication for the then skinheads at this time became the Old Arbat and the streets near the Kitay-Gorod metro station. Initially, when the skinhead movement in Russia was in its infancy, there were very few people who considered themselves skinheads. Their aesthetic and cultural tastes were fully satisfied by the recordings of foreign, non-Russian skin groups that came to them through friends and acquaintances, and by foreign self-translated articles from foreign newspapers and magazines that came to them from the same source. A completely understandable desire to listen to or read something of one’s own (ideologically close) was satisfied by listening to songs and studying the lyrics of some domestic extreme “punk rock” or “heavy metal” groups. Already in the early 90s, extremist and national-chauvinist features and shades appeared in the lyrics of many of them, but they were still very, very far from real racist-Nazi songs.

Mid 90s.

In 1993 - 1994, the number of Moscow skinheads reached 150 - 200 people. Their activities have already actively influenced the crime reports of the capital. Around the same time, the first “teams” of skinheads began to emerge in several of the largest cities in Russia, and primarily in St. Petersburg, Rostov and Volgograd.

Since the mid-90s, the total number of skinheads has exceeded 1000 people; their subculture and ideology have become a noticeable phenomenon in the world of modern Russian right-wing political extremism.

Notable neo-fascist and ultra-Nazi political parties and the movements begin to seek contacts with the most authoritative and odious leaders of Russian skinheads. By the mid-90s, there was a certain growth and revival in the narrow and cramped world of skin culture. The magazine “Under Zero” began to be published in Moscow - the first printed organ of the skinhead movement itself in Russia (although at one time, in 1995-1996, the musical “metal” magazine “Iron March” acted as a skinhead magazine). Around the same time, the first skin bands emerged - musical groups playing the "OY" style (the musical style of skinheads, typologically close to "post-punk").

Late 90s.

From 1994 to 1998, there was a giant leap in numbers and organization among skinheads. Their total number increases several tens of times. Quite large groups are appearing in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Moscow alone in 1998 there were about 20 associations. The bone-crushing activity of skinheads is acquiring catastrophic proportions; every day several dozen “foreigners” become their victims.

By 1998, huge changes had taken place in skin culture, expressed in the popularization of the skin movement as such among young people. As a consequence of this, the number of skinheads grew significantly and began to become a noticeable phenomenon in the world of counterculture. The ever-increasing number of skinheads and the growing demand for skin paraphernalia have given birth to an entire skin industry created exclusively for skinheads.

Instead of one single skin magazine "Under Zero", which was published irregularly for quite a long period of time, only in Moscow several new skin publications appear - the magazines "Stop", "Udar", "Street Fighter", "Screwdriver". And the number of musical skin groups began to number several dozen. In Moscow alone, about a dozen of their own musical skin groups constantly exist and operate, many of which are known throughout Russia. Among them we can name “Storm”, “Russian Ghetto” (now “Kolovrat”), “Radegast”, “Vandal”, “Ultimatum”. There are also several strong skin groups in St. Petersburg, including the group "Totenkopf" (literally: "death's head" - skull), the oldest skin group in Russia. The skin group T.N.F. has been playing songs in Yaroslavl for several years now, and has toured throughout Russia several times. In Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities of Russia, skin concerts are held almost every month, and real music festivals of “OY” style music take place a couple of times a year. The leader here is, of course, Moscow, where the most organized skins invite foreign musical groups, playing in the style of "white rock".

The needs of skinheads for “workwear” are met by many different companies, both ours and foreign. Moreover, piecemeal, custom-made, handicraft costumes and symbols have been replaced by entire workshops producing wholesale quantities of goods. Selling skin paraphernalia occurs in different ways. Powerful boots-boots "Martene" ("Doctor Marten"), "Grinders", "Combat", "T-34", "Bulldog" and others are sold quite openly in Moscow on Novy Arbat, in central stores of large cities, in numerous markets. These shoes are comfortable, popular and in demand among various groups of youth. But to buy a skinhead bomber jacket or camouflage pants, you need to go to a special place, which even in Moscow is rare.

SHANKHEAD ENVIRONMENT.

Youngsters.

The first, largest group is the “youngsters”, these are teenagers aged 12-14 who still don’t really know what it is to be a real skinhead, but have already picked up Nazi or racist slogans and have understood some of the basic norms of behavior inherent in skinheads. Most often this happens through direct imitation of older and more experienced comrades. This category actively uses external symbols and attributes of the skin movement - the Celtic cross, Nazi symbols. Although it should be noted that at the moment there is no single, established model of uniform.

Young animals.

The second category is “young people,” older teenagers, 14–16 years old, who actively participate in all kinds of neo-Nazi rallies and gatherings, gathering in large regular groups. This category of skinheads has a more clearly defined political orientation and the ability to more or less coherently state the main principles of the skin movement.

Starshaki.

The third category - “elders”, in addition to participating in rallies, gatherings and gatherings, have a solid, fairly well-established political orientation, they are able not only to coherently present the main points of the political program of their movement, but also conduct propaganda work.

Old skinheads.

Among the huge crowd of skins of various types, levels and degrees of organization, there is a small (in relation to the entire skin movement as a whole) close-knit group called “old skinheads”.

This relatively small part of the skin movement consists of the most ideological, persistent and active skinheads. The average age of a skinhead of this species is over 20 years. “Old skinheads” know the customs, traditions and principles of skinheads most well, being their main guardians and interpreters for the bulk of skinheads. Each of them has a certain length of experience in the skin movement, from three to five to ten years, during which he must live and act, observing all the principles and commandments of the skin movement. Interruption of work experience is not allowed, a temporary transition to another informal movement with a subsequent return is also not allowed, it must be a “lifetime” skin.

“Old skinheads” are the main core of the skin movement, they form it, they unite it. With their beliefs they try to influence those around them, and primarily young people and teenagers, from whom they eventually form skin groups where they become the main ones. One of their main tasks is to stimulate and radicalize both individual skin groups and the entire skin movement as a whole. Classic “old skinheads” are basically either “politicians” - “bonebreakers” who take an “active life position” and back up their “word” with “action”, or “militants” with a political overtone, although there are some variations. Some particularly aggressive musicians who write and perform songs in the style of “white rock” can also have the status of “old skinhead”.

At the moment, the number of “old skinheads” has increased significantly, which is directly related to the popularization of the skin movement. Their ideological education also increased. Adherents of this type of skins actively participated in the third congress of Russian nationalists, held in St. Petersburg. It is among the “old skinheads” that efforts are being made to legalize and create their own party.

Fashionistas.

Separately and apart from the general mass of skinheads is the category of “fashionable” skinheads - the lowest and most despised category. This type of skins is almost completely apolitical and inert - in fact, this is the main fault of the “mods”. They wear skin paraphernalia, listen to skinhead music, sometimes attend skin concerts, but for the most part they are quiet and non-aggressive. As a rule, they are not even able to repel insults and ridicule from the “correct” skinheads, much less they cannot commit any serious act, “glorious” and “heroic” from the point of view of the bulk of skinheads. Veterans of the skin movement speak of such “fake skinheads” with obvious contempt. Unfortunately, the bulk of skinheads are punks who pay tribute to fashion, as the movement becomes more and more popular. They are disorganized, do not know how to think, and generally judge movement only by external attributes: bomber jacket, bald head, suspenders, beer, “Doctor Martin” (a type of shoe).

TRENDS.

In Russia, skinheads do not behave as any ordinary informal youth association should. This is especially noticeable in the largest cities of Russia - Moscow and St. Petersburg. Although “they,” like most informals, gather in certain places, go to music concerts and holidays, wear special paraphernalia. However, not all participants in the skin movement are satisfied with a harmless existence in the form of an informal countercultural movement. The current unstable situation in Russia has sharply politicized the majority of Russian skinheads. From a countercultural informal movement, imbued with the spirit of aggression and shocking, it gradually turned into an unorganized youth political movement of a neo-Nazi persuasion. Unlike other informal youth movements and groups that currently exist, the skinhead movement - Russian skinheads - is the toughest, most aggressive and criminalized among other informal groups. Skinheads constantly organize skirmishes, conflicts, clashes, and most of the illegal actions are committed on the basis of racist ideas and neo-Nazi ideology.

The same kind of trends are emerging throughout Russia as a whole. All this is especially relevant at the present moment, when national and racial conflicts on the territory of Russia, as well as confrontation between individual nationalities, have reached a record high.

Why does the skinhead movement not disappear, why is it slowly but steadily growing and expanding? I think there is no main common reason here, but there is a set of reasons that, having combined together, gave Russia a new aggressive racist-Nazi youth movement of the right-wing and, at the moment, left-wing extremist kind. It should be noted, first of all, the intensification of migration processes, the war in Chechnya, the growth of conflicts of cultures and ethnic groups and, of course, the deterioration of living conditions in Russia.

SKINHEAD IDEOLOGY.

The most widespread ideology in Russia is the ideology of “right-wing” skinheads. It penetrated into Russia before any other skin ideology and received the greatest recognition among young people. The ideology of “right-wing” skinheads itself is quite complex. In the Russian skin movement itself, there is already a written ideology of “brown” skinheads. It appeared in April 2000 in the form of a samizdat brochure called “The ABC of Slavic Skinheads.” This brochure was written in 2000 by the Russian neo-Nazi Salazar and was initially distributed only in Moscow and the Moscow region.

However, skinheads obtain a significant part of the “ideologically useful” information from written publications (most often magazines) distributed by the skinheads themselves in their environment. An important role in assimilating the rudiments of ideology is played by watching a number of videos telling about the life of skinheads.

Nevertheless, the basic “concepts”—ideological dogmas, rules of behavior—are usually spread orally by skinheads. Their assimilation occurs gradually, from case to case, and the amount of information learned is determined by the curiosity of a particular skin. However, every young skinhead newcomer who wants to further increase his rank and authority must learn a certain minimum, which a “real skinhead” simply must know.

The ideology of skins itself includes both actual ideological dogmas and primitive social theories, as well as rules of behavior in a given situation. The BASIC IDEOLOGY of the average participant in the skinhead movement, excluding the more educated, “upper” layer and the lower layer who knows almost nothing at all (who does not know the ideology of the skinhead movement itself, even in its most primitive version), is unbridled aggression towards everything. what goes beyond the narrow world of the group and what remains beyond the understanding of the consciousness of primitive, extremist-minded, uncultivated youth.

Their ideology contains an extreme form of racism, manifested in the open expression of hostility and hatred on racial and national grounds, both through slogans, calls, inscriptions, drawings, symbols, and through direct actions, skirmishes, confrontations, mass fights, and acts of intimidation. All these actions are aimed (without much specification) in relation to the Negroid and Asian races. But in principle, any “non-Russian” person, “not Slavic” in appearance, with a more or less dark skin color can suffer from the hands of skinheads. Targets are determined by eye, mainly by visual characteristics: skin color, facial features, eye shape, hair. Among a certain part of skinheads, anti-Semitic and anti-Caucasian sentiments prevail, there is a desire to use extreme forms of genocide, especially strongly expressed in relation to persons of “Caucasian nationality” (in particular, Muslim diasporas, as well as personally in relation to the Vainakh diaspora, residents of Chechnya are especially often mentioned). Sometimes threats may be made against residents of Central Asia. There is aggressive xenophobia (hostility towards foreigners), mainly on racial grounds, especially towards foreign immigrants (refugees, forced migrants from neighboring countries).

Aggressive xenophobia is expressed in insults and violent actions. All this is motivated by the fact that “the dominance of immigrants will lead to the fact that they will build their own state with us, where we will be superfluous. Well, what do we see today? We are being forced out of our country, our lands are being occupied by “black” and “oblique” people. "The authorities turn a blind eye to this, since immigrants have a lot of money with which they can buy anyone."

The main thing in their ideology is nationalism, national-racism, exaltation of their (in this case, Russian) nation as a nation belonging to the “white-skinned”, standing above all other races (mainly in comparison with the Negroid and Asian races). Almost every skinhead interprets in his own way what the white race elevates itself above others in his own way and is not particularly specific. At the same time, skinhead nationalism manifests itself in the sense of pride and a sense of superiority of their own people, their nation. Pride also affects the customs and traditions of one’s country and one’s nationality.

SOCIAL THEORIES OF SHANKHEADS.

The ideology of skinheads is characterized by a certain set of social theories that are known to every more or less literate skinhead. These social theories can vary greatly depending on the orientation of the ideology and intellectual level of a particular skinhead. Ideally, the social structure of the state is conceived by skinheads on the principle of South African apartheid of the 50s - 80s with some elements of the social structure of Germany during the Third Reich. This must be a unitary state in which there is significant social and wealth inequality based on skin color and the most obvious racial discrimination. In the Russian version, in this state there should also be a priority of the Russian (Slavic) nation over the rest.

Some social theories of skinheads are embodied in their slogans: “Russia for Russians, Moscow for Muscovites”, “All the best for whites”, “Work is not for emigrants”.

Skins oppose the uncontrollable wave of “non-Russian” illegal emigrants, both from countries neighboring Russia and from many regions of Russia itself Russian Federation. According to the skins, illegal immigrants and the migrating “non-Russian” population of Russia itself are seizing jobs intended for Russians. They are also opponents of mixed, international marriages between people belonging to different races. Among Russian skinheads, this principle primarily applies to the Russian (Slavic) population. The fundamental criteria are nationality and skin color. According to the skins, interracial and international marriages produce “hybrids”—racially inferior children. Among the majority of skins, there is an opinion that social protection measures, such as free education and free healthcare, social insurance and pensions, should first of all be provided to the Russian (Slavic) population.

For the most part, skins are supporters of the most radical solutions. In a state built on their principle, those who, in their opinion, are “human trash” - chronic drug addicts, homosexuals, pedophiles and other individuals who differ from normal people - must be mercilessly persecuted and destroyed.

RULES OF CONDUCT FOR SHANKHEADS.

Russian skinheads have a certain set of “concepts” - rules of behavior that they must strictly follow, of course, if they have the opportunity to do so. They quite clearly regulate what a “real skinhead” can and cannot do, and what he should do in a given situation. These rules of conduct are usually not written down, although there are exceptions. As a rule, they are best known to “old skinheads” and other adherents of the skin movement. More competent skins have been bringing them to the attention of every newbie skin for some time.

First of all, these rules of conduct include a number of prohibitions, the implementation of which is strictly mandatory.

A real skinhead should not be friends with “foreigners” and try not to communicate with them under any circumstances. Ignore any attempts at contact by an individual of “non-Russian” nationality. At every opportunity, express your hatred and contempt to him. A real skinhead should, to the best of his ability, prevent friendship and communication between his friends and the “non-Russian” population. It is allowed to turn to a “foreigner” for help only in cases of extreme necessity. It is forbidden to offer him your help, console him or sympathize with him. At any opportunity, a real skinhead must show aggression towards the “foreigner”. This could be beating, bullying, or simple insult. It is also allowed to cause so-called “minor harm” - setting fire to doors, breaking glass, drawing slogans.

Separately, it should be noted that when he sees a “non-Russian” (especially a black, Asian or Caucasian) and a white Russian girl walking together, the skinhead is obliged to attack him at the slightest opportunity and brutally beat him. You're not supposed to touch a girl. Failure to carry out aggressive actions indicates “laziness”, “cowardice” and can serve as a reason for loss of authority.

An alternative to aggressive actions can only be active work to develop your organization and the entire skinhead movement as a whole. This could be writing leaflets, composing song lyrics, publishing and distributing neo-Nazi literature, establishing contacts with other skin organizations.

If a skinhead sees a fight in which skins are participating, he must join them, taking their side, without finding out the reasons for the fight. At every convenient opportunity, a skinhead must help “his own,” primarily skinheads, members of his group, as well as friendly neo-Nazis and national patriots. In extreme cases, possible assistance is provided simply to “white Russian people.” This assistance concerns protection, support, and material support. Naturally, this only happens if the “white Russian man” is not a sectarian, democrat, pacifist or anti-fascist, and most importantly, shares or at least sympathizes with the beliefs of the skinheads.

Issues of revenge play an important role in the rules of conduct. If significant harm is caused to any of the skinheads, his “team” - a group of his comrades - is obliged to appear and take revenge on the offenders. If the enemy turns out to be very serious and numerous, then several teams of skinheads temporarily unite to carry out revenge.

The most orthodox and “stubborn” skinheads try, if possible, not even to use products and products made in Asia and Africa. This mainly concerns products and products with pronounced national characteristics of the country of origin, for example, rice and Uncle Benz sauce, Asian down jackets, and Japanese-made electronics. At the same time, buying non-Russian, but European products is not condemned.

ATTITUDE TO DRUGS.

Particular mention can be made of the sharply negative attitude of skinheads towards drugs. It is no secret that in the marginal environment of poor working families (where skinheads mainly come from), “children of dark streets and dirty gateways” constantly experience attacks and pressure from society, the law, the state, etc. Therefore, in such a social environment, there is a very large percentage of those who do not see a way, do not see a way out from under this unbearable pressure, want to somehow, at least temporarily, change their lives, get away from the harsh reality, at least with the help of drugs. So most skinheads know the problem of drug addiction firsthand; many have friends or relatives who have fallen victim to drug addiction.

Therefore, the attitude towards drug addicts, drug dealers and drug distributors is sharply negative, especially negative since in Russia most of the business of transporting, storing and distributing drugs is run by residents of the Caucasus, Central Asia, as well as residents of Africa.

Hostility to drugs is expressed both in slogans such as: “Nationalists are against drugs - fight them,” and in the slogan program of the skinhead movements: “Our time has come,” “Being a skinhead is not going into the world of drug illusions, it is a living feeling of life.” ".

BELIEFS.

According to ideology and beliefs, skinheads come in several types: “brown” skins are neo-Nazis, “red” skins are those who hold extreme leftist views, and there are also anti-fascist skinheads.

The above skin ideology is mainly written about “brown” neo-Nazi skins, who are both the most numerous and ideological, and the most extremist-minded part of the skin movement. In different countries, their numbers vary from 90 - 95 percent to almost 100 percent of the total number of skinheads.

The first skins in Russia were the “brown” far-right Nazi skins. Their ideology penetrated into Russia earlier than any other skin ideology, and found itself on fairly fertile soil. But over time, “skinheads” appeared in Russia who adhere to communist or anti-fascist ideology.

Red Skinheads.

Usually “red skinheads” are called Red Skins; the Redskin movement itself was born in the early 80s as a counterweight to the growing influence of neo-Nazi skinheads. The first Red Skins musical group was "01", a group from England associated with the far-left Trotskyist party. This musical group called for anti-fascist resistance to the Nazis, who, they believed, had betrayed the multiracial culture of the “first” skinheads - the proletarians. In the mid-80s, the Redskin movement began to gain strength; groups of “Red Skinheads” appeared in many European countries. The movement especially spread in Italy (where memories of the Red Brigades are still alive). Red skinheads collaborate with punks and left-wing radicals. The Red Skins call themselves communists. In fact, despite the use of the "hammer and sickle" Soviet symbols, few of them are associated with any party. They prefer the famous revolutionary Che Guevara to Lenin, and the company of friends to party comrades. By joining autonomous groups or creating their own, the red skins brutally persecute the Nazi skins. For this purpose, they often team up with their former punk enemies, especially if they are anarchists.

Like Nazi Skins, Redskins call for violence as a mode of action, but reject, in their own words, the “philosophy of violence.” They declare their anti-racist and, naturally, anti-capitalist views, but they are united primarily by anti-fascism. The appearance of red skinheads is the same as that of skinheads all over the world. However, Red Skins are distinguished from neo-Nazi skins by their symbols and red laces on their shoes. Very often in the ranks of the red skinheads there are people of non-white skin color.

Skinhead anti-fascists (SHARP).

The movement "S.H.A.R.P."s" (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudices) - "Skinheads against racial prejudice" arose in America in the late 80s. In 1988, a sharp ideological stratification into neo-Nazi skinheads occurred in groups of American skins, which were mostly apolitical and everyone else, as a consequence of this there was a sharp split.

Some skins joined the Ku Klux Klan and various Nazi groups. Some skins, on the contrary, decided to counteract the growth of fascism, racism and neo-Nazism on the American continent. In 1989, they created the first SHARP organization in New York. In the 90s, this movement, in addition to America, was gaining popularity in Europe. The SHARP organization acts as a united front together with the red skins against Nazi skinheads, denying their belonging to the skin culture.

Members of the Red Skins and SHARP movements call Nazi skinheads not "skinheads" - "leather heads", but "boneheads" - "billiard ball head". However, the latter are not offended by this; on the contrary, most of the “right-wing skins” themselves prefer to draw a clear line between just skinheads and skinhead neo-Nazis, calling themselves “boneheads”.

However, the SHARP movement abandons the leftist views of the red skins and accepts anti-fascism and anti-racism as a political “article of faith”. The "Declaration of Principles of SHARP" states that "the organization is fighting to eradicate fascism and racism from the skin movement and the entire society."

Red Anarchist Skinheads (RASH).

In the mid-90s, another skin organization of anti-fascist skinheads was formed in Canada - Red and Anarchist Skinheads RASH. Canadian anarchist Skins did not want their political ideas to be associated with the Red Skins, that is, to be mixed with communist ideology, even “anti-fascist” communism. However, they always sided with the red skins if they needed help in a fight at a concert or in a bar. Ultimately, most of the differences between the anarchist skins and the red skins have become subtle for now.

Red Skins and SHARP's skinheads have a fairly developed ideology, and it is enshrined in written form. But nevertheless, at the grassroots level of “ordinary” participants, ideology is not often remembered.

Aware of the complexity, boringness and uninterestingness (for the majority of young people) of their own skin program and their own skin ideology, the “red” skinheads are forced to borrow some of the customs, traditions and principles of their neo-Nazi opponents. In appearance, Red Skins and SHARP'S almost completely adopted the clothing style of the Nazi skins and differ from them only by stripes with portraits of Lenin, Che Guevara, Nelson Mandella or stripes with the names of their organizations and leftist groups that they focus on.

In fact, they are related only by their shaved heads, clothing style and the general social environment from which they come, the environment of working-class, low-income and poorly educated youth and other poorer strata of society.

Particularly striking differences in political preferences are observed when choosing an object of aggression. The far-right neo-Nazi can attack almost anyone; his ideology gives him a wide range of targets for aggressive actions. But the “red” skinheads, anti-fascist skinheads are forced to act within a very strict, restraining framework, while their main opponents are only racists, fascists and neo-Nazis.

Apolitical skinheads.

Along with the skinheads, who build their ideology in accordance with various trends in politics, there are also separate groups of skins who are completely apolitical. This type of skins is closest to the first ones - the English skinheads of the early 60s. At that time, most of the skins still held anti-racist views and were closely tied to their proletarian roots and marginal environment. For example, some of the skins maintained friendly relations with Jamaican punks from poor neighborhoods, Rude boys ("rude guys"). What they had in common was a love for reggae, SKA, and rock steadi. Nevertheless, non-racist ideology did not at all reduce the aggressiveness of this type of skins. On the contrary, non-racist skins worked with their fists quite often. The main objects of their influence were usually any non-standard-looking individuals, homosexuals, and beggars. The proletarian sentiments of the skins found an outlet in beating up rich dudes who accidentally, through carelessness or out of curiosity, wandered into poor working-class neighborhoods.

Today there are very few completely apolitical skins in Russia. At its core, a modern skinhead cannot be apolitical, otherwise he loses the right to be called a skinhead and turns into a “fashionist.” What will happen to the skinhead movement in the future is the question.

I don’t suffer from racism, I don’t promote anything, I just learned a lot about them!

CHAPTER 1. Definition of skinheads.

Skinheads are groups of urban youth, living according to their own laws, with their own music, their own distinctive signs, their own fashion in clothing and concept" male friendship"Skinheads are mostly men, but there are also women in their ranks. Political ideas play a secondary role when joining the “tribe.” Some, both fascist and anti-fascist groups, managed to create real gangs of “political soldiers” - dangerous weapon in political struggle. Some parties use such gangs as mercenaries to secure their rallies, put up posters and for other minor tasks. Skins willingly agree to such work - there would be "beer, sex and fights."

CHAPTER 2. Origin of skinheads.

In 1969, young English workers from the suburbs of London and Liverpool began to speak out against hippieism and the fashion for the “Peace and Love” ideology. Long hair They contrasted shaved heads and pacifism with clashes with gangs of young rockers. At first, the Skins were anti-racist: they were closely tied to their proletarian roots.

Against the backdrop of the economic crisis, skins have become bitter. Their music became wilder - the so-called "oi" style appeared. Skins began to fill football stadiums, staging huge fights. For the sake of shockingness, some of them began to declare their Nazi and fascist views. It was not difficult for the fascists from the “European National Front” to politically “direct” this violence into provocation. In the early 80s, "skinhead" fashion spread throughout Europe. The rise of fascist parties in Europe and, in particular, in France led to the fact that skins began to appear at National Front demonstrations. This happened for the first time in 1984. In Germany and Scandinavia, skinheads formed small, extremely extremist neo-Nazi groups. Around the band "Screwdriver" playing "oi" music in England, a network of fascist groups "Blood and Honor" is being formed. They politicize oi's music, giving it a Nazi character, and create the so-called "Rock Against Communism" (RAC - Rock Against Communism). This anti-communism was just an excuse to show cruelty towards anyone who disagreed with them. The "Blood and Honor" network spread throughout Europe, and in 1992 reached Poland and Slovakia.

In contrast, the music group Oi from England, associated with the far-left Trotskyist party, called for anti-fascist resistance to the Nazis, who “betrayed the multiracial skinhead culture from the very beginning.” This is how the “Redskins” or “Red Skinheads” movement was born. In the mid-80s they appeared in many European countries.

CHAPTER 3. Classification of anti-fascist skinheads.

"Red Skinheads"
Usually "red skinheads" are called "Red Skins". The movement especially spread in Italy (where memories of the “Red Brigades” were still alive). The "Red Skinheads" collaborated with punks and left-wing radicals, calling themselves "communists."
Like Nazi skins, Redskins call for violence as a mode of action, but reject, in their own words, the “philosophy of violence.” They proclaim their anti-racist and anti-capitalist views. The appearance of the “red skinheads” is the same as that of skinheads all over the world. However, the "Red Skins" are distinguished from the neo-Nazi skins by their symbols and red laces on their shoes.

"Skinhead Anti-Fascists" (SHARP).
Movement "S.H.A.R.P." (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudices) - “Skinheads Against Racial Prejudices” arose in America in the late 80s. In 1988, in American skin groups, mostly apolitical, there was a sharp ideological stratification into neo-Nazi skinheads and everyone else, and as a result, a sharp split occurred.
Some skins joined the Ku Klux Klan and various Nazi groups. Some skins, on the contrary, decided to counteract the growth of fascism, racism and neo-Nazism on the American continent. In 1989, they created the first SHARP organization in New York. In the 90s, in addition to America, this movement gained popularity in Europe.
Participants in the "Red Skins" and "SHARP" movements call Nazi skinheads not "skinheads" - "leather heads", but "boneheads" - "billiard ball head". However, the latter are not offended by this; on the contrary, most of the “right-wing skins” themselves prefer to draw a clear line between just skinheads and neo-Nazi skinheads, calling themselves “boneheads”.

"Red Anarchist Skinheads" (RASH).
In the mid-90s, another skin organization of anti-fascist skinheads was formed in Canada - “Red and Anarchist Skinheads” (RASH). Canadian anarchist Skins did not want their political ideas to be associated with the Red Skins. However, they always sided with the Red Skins if they needed help in a fight at a concert or in a bar. Ultimately, most of the differences between the Anarchist Skins and the Red Skins have become subtle at this point.

"Gay Skins" (GSM - Gay Skinhead Movement). They oppose homophobia and promote homosexuality. The movement is developed mainly in Western Europe.

"Apolitical skinheads."
Along with the skinheads, who build their ideology in accordance with various trends in politics, there are also separate groups of skins who are completely apolitical. This type of skins is closest to the first ones - the English skinheads of the early 60s. At that time, most of the skins still held anti-racist views and were closely tied to their proletarian roots and marginal environment. For example, some of the skins maintained friendly relations with the Jamaican punks from poor neighborhoods, the Rude Boys. However, non-racist ideology does not reduce the aggressiveness of this type of skins. On the contrary, non-racist skins work with their fists quite often. The main objects of their influence are any non-standard-looking individuals, homosexuals, and beggars. The proletarian sentiments of the skins find outlet in beating up rich dudes who accidentally, through carelessness or out of curiosity, wander into poor working-class neighborhoods. Today there are very few completely apolitical skins.

CHAPTER 4. Hierarchy of Russian skinheads.

"Teenagers"
The first, largest group is the “youngsters”, these are teenagers 12-14 years old who still don’t really know what it is to be a real skinhead, but have already picked up Nazi or racist slogans and have understood some of the basic norms of behavior inherent in skinheads. Most often this happens through direct imitation of older and more experienced comrades. This category actively uses external symbols and attributes of the skin movement - the Celtic cross, Nazi symbols. Although it should be noted that at the moment there is no single, established model of uniform.

"Youngsters"
The second category is “young people,” older teenagers, 14–16 years old, who actively participate in all kinds of neo-Nazi rallies and gatherings, gathering in large regular groups. This category of skinheads has a more clearly defined political orientation and the ability to more or less coherently state the main principles of the skin movement.

"Starshaki"
The third category - “elders”, in addition to participating in rallies, gatherings and gatherings, have a solid, fairly well-established political orientation, they are able to not only coherently present the main points of the political program of their movement, but also conduct propaganda work.
This category of skinheads often has strong, extensive connections with various right- and left-wing radical extremist organizations.

"Old Skinheads"
Among the huge crowd of skins of various types, levels and degrees of organization, there is a small (in relation to the entire skin movement as a whole) close-knit group called “old skinheads”.
This relatively small part of the skin movement consists of the most ideological, persistent and active skinheads. The average age of a skinhead of this species is over 20 years. “Old skinheads” know the customs, traditions and principles of skinheads most well, being their main guardians and interpreters for the bulk of skinheads. Each of them has a certain length of experience in the skin movement, from three to five to ten years, during which he must live and act, observing all the principles and commandments of the skin movement. Interruption of work experience is not allowed, a temporary transition to another informal movement with a subsequent return is also not allowed, it must be a “lifetime” skin.
“Old skinheads” are the main core of the skin movement, they form it, they unite it. With their beliefs they try to influence those around them, and primarily young people and teenagers, from whom they eventually form skin groups where they become the main ones. One of their main tasks is to stimulate and radicalize both individual skin groups and the entire skin movement as a whole. Classic "old skinheads" are, basically, either "politicians" - "bonebreakers" who take an "active life position" and back up their "word" with "action", or "militants" with a political overtone, although there are some variations. Some particularly aggressive musicians who write and perform songs in the style of “white rock” can also have the status of “old skinhead”. At the moment, the number of “old skinheads” has increased significantly, which is directly related to the popularization of the skin movement. Their ideological education also increased. Adherents of this type of skins actively participated in the third congress of Russian nationalists, held in St. Petersburg. It is among the “old skinheads” that efforts are being made to legalize and create their own party.

"Mods"
Separately and apart from the general mass of skinheads is the category of “fashionable” skinheads - the lowest and most despised category. This type of skins is almost completely apolitical and inert - in fact, this is the main fault of the “mods”. They wear skin paraphernalia, listen to skinhead music, sometimes attend skin concerts, but for the most part they are quiet and non-aggressive. As a rule, they are not even able to repel insults and ridicule from the “correct” skinheads, much less they cannot commit any serious act, “glorious” and “heroic” from the point of view of the bulk of skinheads. Veterans of the skin movement speak of such “fake skinheads” with obvious contempt. The bulk of skinheads are punks who pay tribute to fashion, as the movement becomes more and more popular. They are disorganized, do not know how to think, and generally judge movement only by external attributes: bomber jacket, bald head, suspenders, beer, “Doctor Martin” (a type of shoe).
The category of “mods” constitutes the most significant part of the skin movement, especially during the period of its greatest subcultural popularity.

CHAPTER 5. Gender, age and social composition of Russian skinheads.

Data about social background Skins are not enough. But those that exist show that not all skinheads belong to the bottom. For the most part, these are children of the “Soviet middle class,” whose material level has declined over the past fifteen years.
Skinheads are not the children of chronic alcoholics and criminals. Those, especially older prisoners, have their own concept of nationality - they are all just “thieves”.
Skinheads are the children of former highly paid workers, engineers, whom the reforms of the 90s turned into shuttle workers and stall traders. These are the children of people who have experienced psychological drama and moral humiliation, and who experience frequent depression. Many families have broken up. In cities such as N. Novgorod, Krasnodar, Voronezh, Volgograd, the majority of fascists are children of the petty bourgeoisie. They think in categories family business, and the national idea is expressed in the fact that foreigners are potential competitors.
Polish sociologists from the VIP group surveyed high school students from elite schools in Moscow. 60% - children of wealthy parents - showed open hostility to everything Russian and planned to live in the West. The poorer children - 20%, on the contrary, were going to live in Russia, showed hostility towards foreigners and openly promoted everything Russian. Almost everyone was against mixed marriages(however, having sex with a non-Russian girl is not a sin) and said the phrase “I hate two things most of all: racism and blacks.” This is tantamount to saying, “I hate Russia and love Russians.”
All Asians (Caucasians, Chinese) are considered as economic competitors (they have captured markets and are setting up business here). The objects of hatred are also communists, anarchists, and informals. Those surveyed were not against “non-Russians” living in their own countries. They were against them in the Russian market. However, the use of immigrants as labor was welcomed: “Well, it’s not like Russians should struggle!” Although neo-Nazis are often confused in their “testimonies”: either “non-Russians captured markets and took away jobs”, sometimes “they don’t work and are robbing”...
Composition of skinhead families (combination of options is possible):

35% live in single-parent families

58% - parents are engaged in trade and restaurant business

22% - have their own business

8% are stay-at-home mothers

21% - fathers work in security

6% - fathers-officers

12.8% - one of the parents in the civil service

4% - one of the parents is a worker

3.2% - parents - engineers, teachers, doctors

Among the adult population, the openly nationalistic idea of ​​​​introducing different legal status for people of indigenous nationality and “foreigners” is supported by 18% of respondents. However, in fact, nationalist attitudes are much more widespread: respondents are twice as likely to be in favor of granting access to government bodies to citizens taking into account their nationality, which in practice requires the introduction of some restrictions (quotas, qualifications) on participation in elections, as well as on occupation. other positions in the executive power structures for “foreigners”.

Good skinheads vs. bad ones

When the skinhead movement began in Great Britain in the late 60s, there was no trace of racism there. Young people from working-class neighborhoods gathered in flocks, listened to music (mostly reggae) and rode motor scooters. Those few of them who could boast of “political consciousness” declared themselves to be working class and advocated a ban on the use of cheap labor from third world countries. As a matter of fact, the fights through which skinheads gained fame as socially dangerous were mainly with immigrants from Pakistan (exactly the cheapest work force) and with the “golden youth”. Among the skinheads there were many Africans and Jamaicans, so there was no need to talk about any racism. In the late 70s the situation began to change. The leaders of the far-right British National Party (BNP) realized that they had the opportunity to seize a huge resource of unreasoning power, and it would not be difficult to do so. Nationalist ideology appealed to many, given the high unemployment rates associated with mass immigration from former colonies. The skinhead movement began to acquire a pronounced racist connotation.

This continued until the second half of the 80s, when the “first wave” skinheads decided that the Nazis were disgracing their good name. In Britain and the USA, a real war broke out between the Nazi skinheads and the traditional skinheads. In 1987, the SHARP movement was founded in New York. The original idea was: “to make society understand that not all skinheads are the same, that they have different ideals and beliefs, personal and political.” The Sharps gradually gained fame, and more and more people joined their ranks. They soon drove out almost all the Nazi skinheads from New York.

More radical skinheads appeared among the Sharps. They considered that PR campaigns against the Nazis were not enough, and began to form groups of “fighters” ready to fight them physically. The principle “we will respond to violence with violence” turned out to be no less effective than the media campaign, which, however, they also did not stop. Since then, where Nazi skinheads appeared, sharps soon appeared. The struggle between them has been going on with varying success for more than 10 years, although in recent years there have been relatively fewer Nazis.

The Sharps have long been a small group of anti-fascists. They can be seen at rallies, demonstrations, and stadiums. For example, the backbone of Bayern Munich fans is made up of sharps. Anyone who watches a match with the participation of this German club can be convinced of this: a huge banner S.H.A.R.P. decorates every stadium where your favorite team plays.

In Russia, everything is different for now. The first skinheads appeared in our country in the early 90s, and they were by no means anti-fascists. Nazis predominate among domestic skinheads even now, but recently Sharps have also appeared. Compared to the “boneheads,” there are very few of them, but they have a higher intellectual level and fight Nazism not only with physical methods. For example, fascist sites on the Internet are hacked, as the Moscow group Sharp - Fightzone-Fire recently did, leaving in the enemy chat a drawing of a man breaking a swastika. A few days ago I saw on one of the Internet forums how a Nazi skinhead complained that they, unlike sharps, do not know how to hack websites, so “sharps are behaving dishonestly.”

Nazi skinheads hate Sharps almost more than Jews, gypsies and blacks combined. They claim that SHARP is another Zionist plot to discredit their movement.

There is information about sharps in Minsk, Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Kostroma, Tyumen... In Russia this movement is young, it is only a year and a half old, so we are only in the process of formation. And all over the world the SHARP movement is much better developed.

Originally, Oi! - the name given in the seventies to groups who did not want to consider themselves part of the vulgar theater developed by the world's record companies after the emergence of punk rock in 1977, and who refused to be part of shit rock. Subsequently - the “voice of a generation”, the music of urban workers, including the second wave of skinheads. Now - traditional skinhead music, widespread everywhere on Earth.

The first songs corresponding to this name were played by the Ramones - it was they who composed a cheerful chant song with the words "Ai! Ho! Let's Go!" about baseball hooligans, they also created loud and cheerful punk rock with noticeable guitar passages, which later became known as "punk 77". The first bands that performed Oi! - Sham 69 and Cockney Rejects - played something very similar to them, "loud and fun" in those days. but as soon as the word "punk" began to be used by everyone (mainly to increase the number of record sales), the children of the street had to look for a new name for the music they were listening to. And they found it.

In the early eighties, the sound of Oi! began to change. The melodies became slower and the words made more sense. Last Resort, 4-Skins, Ejected and Crux sang not only about the joys of life, but also about its sorrows, such as unemployment and police brutality, fights in the streets and the inability to prove oneself in this world. They sang about themselves, recording their lives in songs. This music was called the “voice of a generation”, and they had something to say. Soon similar performers appeared all over the world, and they were not imitating the British - those who listened to Oi! in other countries, they understood that they themselves could play such music, or they always played it, they just didn’t know about it.

Symbolism (history)

Posse Comitatus (translated means an order to convene men capable of carrying weapons to repel the enemy, maintain public order, or capture fugitive criminals - SL.) - an anti-government movement that was most active in the 1970s and 80s. Many of its leaders were supporters of the Christian Identity ideology. The ideology of this movement became the basis for the formation of the views of later groups, such as, for example, the Montana Freemen (Free People of Montana). Posse Comitatus died as a movement in the late 80s, but their former leader James Wickstrom attempted to re-establish it in the 90s solely as a white supremacist movement group, losing most of the pseudo-legal Posse Comitatus theories.

Anarchy Sign. Although the symbol is most often used by anarchists, the letter A in the center of the circle is also used by those in the white supremacy movement who are violently opposed to the government because they believe that Jews control the government. The symbol may also mean that the person using it is a member of the Aryan movement and is defying the authorities.

Aryan Fist (Aryan fist). The Aryan fist is a symbol of white power used by violent groups who pursue racist policies of white pride activism. The clenched fist signifies the black power movement and the battle against racial discrimination.

Aryan Nations This is a neo-Nazi organization professing the ideals of Christian Identity, whose leader is Richard Butler. It is located in Hayden Lake, Idaho. The Aryan Nations movement is also known as the Church of Jesus Christ Christian. Christian Identity is a racist religion that preaches that whites (Aryans) are descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel and are therefore the chosen ones, and that Jews are the descendants of Satan and non-whites are soulless "dirty people."

BGF (Black Guerilla Family) - Family of black partisans. This group was formed at San Quentin Prison in California in 1966 by George L. Jackson, a former member of the Black Panther group. The group had a powerful political ideological platform that promoted the Black Revolution and the overthrow of the government. Typical BFG tattoos include images of crossed sabers, pistols and black dragons copied from prison towels

Boot Symbols. Until recently, skinheads could be identified by the colored laces in their Doc Martens boots with steel plates on the toes, which were used as "weapons" for kicking during fights. Although many skinheads now wear other types of shoes, this type of shoe, which became popular a few years ago, is still the most typical and traditional. The term "boot party" refers to gatherings in which skinheads typically commit acts of violence. The symbol shown is the most common image of a boot, most typical of a skinhead.

Celtic Cross ( Celtic cross) is one of the most popular symbols of neo-Nazis and the white supremacy movement. Originally propagated by the Ku Klux Klan, the symbol was later adopted by the National Front in England and other racists such as Don Black (and his website Stormfront), the racist group Skrewdriver, and signified international "white pride." (white pride). This symbol is also known as the Cross of Odin.

Chelsea. An image of the typical, traditional appearance of a skinhead woman or skinhead ally. The hair on the top of the head is shaved, and the strands framing the face remain long. Chelsea was originally an image of a skinhead's friend, but later began to relate directly to a female skinhead.

Confederate Flag. Although some Southerners view the flag simply as a symbol of Southern honor, it is often used by racists and symbolizes white supremacy over African-Americans. The flag remains a subject of controversy, as some southern US states still display it on public buildings or use elements of it in the design of their state flag. The flag is also used by racist groups as an alternative to the American flag, which they believe is the emblem of a government controlled by Jews.

Crucified Skinhead. This symbol is one of the oldest and most traditional. Both neo-Nazis and anti-racist skinheads use it to describe the condition of the working class. They also use it as a sign to intimidate each other. Members of the organization SkinHeads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP) distributed literature with this symbol to express the difficulties they have when they are confused with neo-Nazi skinheads. In some cases, when this mark is used for a tattoo, it can also mean that the person wearing it has either been to prison or committed murder.

Elbow Web (curved web). The image of a spider's web can usually be seen on the arms or armpits of racists who have served time in prison. In some places, a person usually "earns" this tattoo by killing a member of a minority group.

Hammerskin is the name of a special organization of neo-Nazi skinheads. Many Hammerskin groups in the United States and other countries are united by an ideology that places “white pride” and the music of white power at the forefront. The crossed hammers are the main component of the organization's symbol, which is used in each faction. Hammers are often depicted against a background that symbolizes the area in which a particular group operates, for example, against the background of a flag. The inscription HFFH is an abbreviation of the phrase "Hammerskin forever, forever Hammerskin", which means Hammerskin forever, forever Hammerskin.

Hammerskins. Two crossed hammers placed on a different background are the logo of this racist skinhead group. With many subgroups around the world, it claims to represent the working class white supremacist movement and often justifies the use of violence to achieve its goals. The Hammerskin organization and other skinhead groups are fans of white power music.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK). A cross placed in a circle with a "drop of blood" in the center is used in various variations mainly by the Ku Klux Klan. The drop of blood symbolizes the blood shed by Jesus Christ as a sacrifice in honor of the white Aryan nation. The Ku Klux Klan was formed in the southern United States after Civil War 1860-65 How secret society, which aimed to restore white supremacy through terrorism.

National Association For The Advancement Of White People (NAAWP). The organization that declared civil rights white people. Its first head was former KKK leader David Duke, and it is currently led by Ray Thomas in Tampa, Florida.

National Alliance (National Unity). This logo is a combination of the symbols "Life Rune" and "Yggdrasil" (from the ancient Scandinavian mythology), it is surrounded on both sides by ivy wreaths. "Life Rune" was a symbol written on the graves of SS soldiers to indicate the date of birth (while its opposite "Death Rune" indicated the date of death). Racists use the symbol "Life Rune" to refer to women who support the white supremacy movement, and in this case it means "Giver of Life". National Unity is a neo-Nazi organization based in Hillsboro, West Virginia. Its leader is William Pierce. It is the largest and most active active neo-Nazi organization in the United States.

Nazi Swastika Combined With The Iron Cross ( Nazi swastika and the iron cross). This symbol can often be found among members of neo-Nazi groups, most often in the form of jewelry (such as a pendant), as a way of demonstrating their belief in National Socialism. The Iron Cross first appeared during the Napoleonic era and became one of the most common and easily recognized military decorations in the world. After Adolf Hitler put a swastika on it and thereby devalued it in the eyes of the people, the symbol was banned in post-war Germany.

Nazi Low Riders (NLR). These are street and prison gangs whose roots go back to the late 1970s, associated with the Aryan Brotherhood. In the 90s, the number of people joining these groups increased significantly. The state prison system recognizes that the NLR is a criminal group that influences the situation in correctional facilities. Members of the group are involved in drug distribution. White supremacy ideology is a large part of the sentiment within the NLR group.

National Socialist Movement (NSM) (National Socialist Movement). The iron eagle over a swastika is the most commonly seen symbol of the movement, led by Jeff Schoep in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The National Socialist Movement is a neo-Nazi organization with points of contact throughout America whose goal is racial separation and minimal government interference in the lives of citizens.

Odin Rune (letter of Odin - scand., myth.). This symbol signifies belief in paganism or Odinism (Odin is the supreme god in Scandinavian mythology). Although not originally a racist religion, Odinism is popular among white supremacists because they view the Old Norse ancestors as representatives of Aryan culture. The symbol was common to Celtic and Germanic cultures, and for this reason was later borrowed by the Nazis. There are many options for depicting this symbol. Some of them are given below.

Odin Rune. Popular among neo-Nazis in Europe, this sign was originally a symbol of the Vikings. According to Old Norse myth, Odin was the supreme god, creator of the cosmos and humanity, god of wisdom, war, art, culture and the dead. White supremacists use this symbol to express their perceived Aryan ancestry.

Party Flag Of The Nazis (flag of the Nazi party). The German Nazi Party chose the swastika as its symbol. But before that, it was used as a symbol of good luck in various religious movements. Hitler's swastika became unique due to the fact that the direction of the symbol was changed so that the vectors of the cross were rotated clockwise. Today it is widely used in various variations by neo-Nazis, skinheads and other Nazi groups.

American Front (Front of America). America's Front, based in Arkansas and led by James Porrazzo, supports many of the ideas of pure communism, but the group is also anti-Semitic and promotes racial separatism. America's Front calls for "preserving national freedom and social justice for the white people of North America and defeating the forces of the 'New World' and 'international capitalism.'" America's Front is one of the organizations that joins the so-called "third party" group. (“Third Position”), whose views represent a synthesis of both left and right totalitarian ideas and include the use of methods of violence and revolutionary rhetoric.

World Church of the Creator is an Illinois-based organization led by Matthew Hale. Members of the organization call it a religion created for the purposes of "the survival, growth and supremacy of the exclusively white race."

The author continues a series of publications designed to highlight some of the problems associated with the study of the phenomenon of consciousness control. In his latest article, “Psychological characteristics of members of destructive and terrorist (radical) groups,” the author came to the conclusion that for a deeper scientific analysis of the phenomenon of consciousness control, it is worth classifying the activities of “destructive organizations” as the activities of groups (mini-societies), such as anti-globalists, radical ecologists, terrorists, criminals, some “gaming” communities, etc. Studying the collective activities of these subjects will help to better understand the nature of radicalism and the increase in the use of thinking reform techniques (mind control) in society.

The activities of “destructive organizations” in Russian society and the world have not yet been sufficiently considered in the context of radical asocial groups. Radicalism in all its forms and manifestations, in its scale and intensity, in its cruelty, has turned into one of the most acute and pressing problems of states today. One aspect of this problem, according to the author, is undoubtedly “misconceptions” about the role of youth groups in destabilizing modern society. The author will try to consider the activities of radical representatives of “youth subcultures” from different angles.

In contrast to the opinion of most ordinary people, modern subcultures, especially youth ones, are not amorphous and monotonous phenomena, but represent active “foci of resistance” to modern society with its Christian morality. These “foci” represent various options for escaping the “imposed” culture and in themselves are neither bad nor good. The peculiarity of subcultures in Russia is expressed in the fact that the majority of “youth subcultures”, and in this article we are mainly considering them, are borrowed from Western culture and are not historically established “foci” of the subculture in our country.

The paradox is that the more we try to resist globalization, the more we integrate into it. We do not want to become part of the global and lose our “national” advantages, but at the same time we are actively introducing into society an international (international) system of subcultures, whose true vocation (“in its pure form”) is to serve as a counterweight or slower to globalization. “Skinheads”, “neo-Nazis”, “reds”, “anarchists”, “anti-globalists”, “rappers” - all of them are representatives of European and American culture.

Welcome to globalization.

Main misconceptions associated with the skinhead culture movement

1. Skinheads are a movement associated with fascism
2. Skinheads are a criminal group and there is no culture there
3. The problem of skinhead “rage” is impossible to solve

In our article we will try to refute these misconceptions, for which we will consider the current state of “hotbeds of radicalism.”

Evidence that between classical movement skinheads and “neo-fascist” organizations imitating them have nothing in common, except for some elements of clothing we will consider below (“three waves of classic skinhead culture”).

History: three waves of classic skinhead culture

First wave. The “skinheads” of the late 60s were a product of “mod culture”, which was cultivated under the influence of Jamaican culture brought to England by immigrant rude boys. "Mods" (mods) is not only a musical style, but also a certain movement, lifestyle and manner of dressing, generated by the teenage culture of Britain in the early 60s. The eternal confrontation between “fathers and sons” flared up with renewed vigor with the advent of rock and roll (mid-50s): the younger generation of Americans, who received their own music, their own idols and their own fashion, began to recognize themselves as an independent social class that did not want to obey laws of adults and trying to self-determinate. English teenagers also wanted to listen and play rhythm and blues and rock and roll. This is how the fashion movement was born. Britain in the 60s was particularly affected by the economic problems caused by the post-war crisis: it was necessary to restore industry and destroyed houses, workers and employees were needed, but there were not enough people. This forced teenagers, even from good families, to get a job, often in offices (clerks, typists, etc.). Receiving their personal income, young Britons could buy clothes and spend money on entertainment. The “mods” dressed very neatly and usually wore expensive suits. “Fred Perry”, “Ben Sherman”, “Lonsdale” - these companies producing clothes and shoes were very popular among the “mods”.

This is how the “Teddy Boys” style of fashion appeared. The boys have corduroy jackets with large lapels, leather ties, trousers with cuffs, boots with grooved soles; hairstyles - elongated, with hair framing the face. Girls wore skirts above the knees and sweaters with closed necks, long and straight hair. Because of this hobby (dressing well), they were often accused of betraying the working class, because... The “mods” were not much different socially from working-class youth, but they spent a large amount of money on clothes. “Fashion” girls loved heavy makeup and dull lipstick. Scooters (motor scooters) became a favorite pastime. At the same time, the Teddy Boys were distinguished by a very hooligan disposition: they formed gangs that rode around on motor scooters, fought with rockers (who drove motorcycles), smashed store windows and frightened ordinary people.

By the way, unlike rockers, a popular youth culture at that time, the “mods” had representatives of both sexes in their ranks. In addition to civilian clothing, “fashion” could be recognized by a scooter (Scooter). Many who rode them called themselves "Scooterists". Scooters can also be considered a kind of product of “mod culture”. They usually decorated the scooters with mirrors and other flashy things. Football fans (“hooligans”), who also came out of the “mods,” were also into scooters. To be a “mod” meant to have everything new and original that existed at the moment, to stand out from the rest. All of London was flooded with scooters.

Music was a less important part of the movement than fashion and demeanor. Basically, “mod groups” began by copying American rhythm and blues standards and creating their own musical material in the same spirit. The Mods played rhythm and blues and rock and roll faster, heavier and dirtier than their predecessors. By 1968, the “mod” movement had practically died out, having degenerated into other movements.

Already in the early 60s, the so-called Rudies appeared - young immigrants from Jamaica who worked in low-paid jobs (shops, bars, docks, factories). They had their own fashion. And most importantly, it has its own music - “ska”, which the British also liked. At the same time, the “mod” movement started.

At the same time, the first “hard-mods” or “skinheads” appeared. Every Saturday, these new representatives of progressive youth went to the stadiums to support their favorite teams. Lethal support of football teams often led to brawls between opposing fans, leading to the legendary British "football violence". Since representatives of the “hard-mod” often took part in fights, they began to shave their heads so that in a fight the enemy could not use a hair grab. It is worth noting that the “skinheads” did not immediately separate from the “mods”: everything happened gradually.

Not everyone called themselves “skinheads.” There were names like “herberts” (from Herbert Street in Glasgow (Great Britain)), “street kids” (that is, “street children”), “spy kids” (approximate translation - “hunters”), “peanuts” (that is, there are “nut crushers”; they got this name for the rumble of their scooters) and others.

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of “skinheads” around the world have never been “shaven” or “skinheads”. Those who worked on the river docks wore a short buzz cut on their heads, and cut their hair this way only to protect themselves from dust, dirt and lice. For this reason, “skinhead” in the mid-sixties was a derogatory nickname, something like “winghorn.” They didn't call themselves that. They were so scolded.

When night fell, skinheads dressed in the best they could afford (usually a cheap men's suit) and went to the dance halls. Here they danced to the sounds of new music that Jamaican immigrants brought to England. This music has been given many names, including "ska" (later called "first wave ska"), "Jamaican blues", "blue beat", "rocksteady", and "reggae".

By the way, about “ryudise skins”. Once upon a time, before he joined the reggae movement, a very young Bob Marley was a skinhead. Bob Marley wore high combat boots, camouflage and a buzz cut.

The first “skinheads” later began to prefer American clothing “Levi Jeans” and “Alpha Flight Jackets” and narrow braces with Doc Marten boots. With the rise of football hooliganism, dark green "Alpha Flight Jackets" (also called "MA1", "Flight Jacket" or "Bomber Jacket") came into use, allowing them to easily slip out of the hands of opponents. This is how they dressed on football days, but at concerts and on the street they wore ordinary jackets, often jeans, black suspenders and black laces. This tightening of clothing styles had a noticeable effect on working-class interest in “skinheads.”

“Skinheads” loved beer, unlike “mods” who used amphetamines and “rudeboys” who smoked marijuana. “Skinhead girls” dressed like guys, had short hair and also had a lot of troubles and problems with the police and other youth groups. Rudigirls, skinhead girls and mod girls wore miniskirts, which were very popular at the time and were seen as shocking to conservative parents.

In the early 70s, “skinheads” were gaining strength compared to other youth subcultural movements. The “skinheads” of the first wave were growing up: they appeared on the streets less and less, started families, settled down, raised children, but still remained faithful to their roots.

The second wave of the skin movement marked the rise of punk rock in the UK. “Punk rock” blew up prim and cold England. “Punk rock” looked wild, rough, aggressive. He frightened housewives, respectable citizens and other gentlemen. But working youth were looking for and wanted a harder and faster sound for their culture. In addition, “punk rock” became simply student rebellious music, music for college. And the resulting synthesis of bright, fast and rough sound became “streetpunk” (street punk), later called “Oi!” by Sun journalist Gary Bushell. It was “punk”, but it was “punk” aimed at the working class. Due to the fact that the roots of “Oi!” music were in the working class, the media had a negative attitude towards this musical branch, calling “punk rock” itself as the music of the middle class, they welcomed it. The sound of "Oi!" differs from punk: simple guitar melodies are superimposed on a clearly audible line of bass guitar and drums and are accompanied by choruses similar to screams from the stands of football stands. Along with “street punk,” the “skinhead” movement was revived. Traits such as toughness and working-class pride began to be instilled into “punk.” Basically, the second wave of “skinheads” knew nothing about the heritage and their roots, “mods”, “ska”, “rudeboys”.

The old “skinheads” constantly criticized and scolded the new shoots for their innovations. For example, the '69 skins still wore Ben Sherman and Fred Perry clothes, while the new '79 skins wore mostly blue Levi jeans, work boots, suspenders and American pilot jackets. They called themselves "Bald Punks". During the 70s there were many changes to the classic "skinheads". Fashion moved from a washed-out style to better clothing than what blue-collar workers could afford. In the 70s, a “military” style of clothing appeared among skinheads. Other "skins" were heavily influenced by the disco of the seventies: they wore their hair up and wore frilly pants and boots in the style of the 70s.

With the formation of their own musical groups among the “skinheads,” their political ideas began to lean toward the struggle of right and left parties, and even apoliticality. Politically right-wing groups tended to relate to the National Front (neo-fascists in England) and had similar ideas. Left groups focused on the struggle of the working class and used communist politics. Apolitical groups often avoided both sides as they wanted to choose their own subcultural politics.

A group of representatives of the punk movement formed the group “Skrewdriver” (“Screwdriver”), which significantly influenced “street punk” and after some time transformed into a “skinhead group”. Skrewdriver became the first group to declare their neo-Nazi views in skinhead culture, holding a concert under the slogan “Rock Against Communism.” Having sympathized with the National Front, they adopted a racist position and began to create the right wing of the “skinhead movement” subculture.

“Skinheads” of the 1969 model, on the contrary, remained on anti-racist positions, like most “skins” of those years, they were fond of “reggae” and “ska”. They visited “colored discos”, but still called the “blacks” - “darkies”. They supported the ideals of the working class and leftist politicians. England still remembered the Second World War, and therefore it was considered an honor for every patriotic citizen to remain in anti-racist positions.

By the end of the 70s, the National Front and the British National Socialist Party had infiltrated the skinhead movement. By that time, the “skinheads” were already a strong generation. The National Front decided that skinheads would be an excellent source of new members and would enhance its reputation and image. Young people were recruited as street soldiers for the National Front. At the “Donahuue” show” (a popular show in England), a “racist skinhead” appeared. This was a shock and a blow to the entire “skinhead movement.” Together with the media, the myth of “racist skinheads” was inflated by the National Front and Skrewdriver "("screwdriver") Due to erroneous propaganda, society saw every “skinhead” as a racist. In our country, these consequences are especially evident. Most journalists, officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and ordinary people reinforce the misconception that “skinheads” are neo-Nazis. racists.

A bad reputation only played into the hands of right-wing parties. Many young neo-Nazis, who had always been far from the working class and “skinhead culture,” began to call themselves “skinheads.” This is how “Nazism” began to penetrate the skinhead culture.

In the US, skins were even further removed from their roots and gravitated towards the emerging hard-core wave that originated in New York. “Street punk” for England was akin to “hard core” in the USA. For example, the “skins” of the early 80s knew practically nothing and had not heard of “ska” or “Oh!” But like their colleagues in England, they wore work boots and jeans, borrowing this style of clothing from the punks. The Hardcore Skins were stronger and more violent than their Punk Skins contemporaries in England. They appeared in crime reports more often than in 1969. Parties, like the National Front, created the image of “footsoldiers” (storm troopers) from “skinheads”.

In the 80s, no one liked “skinheads” for their aggressiveness; society considered them radicals and hooligans. But no one called them racists until that disastrous interview on the popular show.

The “skinhead” subculture has spread to all countries of the world. Each of them maintains an independent history of the skinheads' goals, their values, and the history of their emergence. The definition of "skinhead" varies from country to country.

In the mid-80s, Europe was rocked by a severe crisis, which can be considered a consequence of the “crisis of the 70s” that had previously erupted in America. Governments played the Cold War; businesses were closing; there was no money, and the standard of living fell further and further. This was reflected in the music: bands of 1984 began to write more angry songs than those that had sounded before. The musical subculture reflected the mood in society - tension and distrust of governments and their policies.

Politicians from various countries conducted a successful campaign to “advertise” the “atrocities of skinheads” among the population of Europe, about their fascist “essence”, etc. As a result, society’s attitude towards the “skinhead” movement changed to a very negative one, and the movement began to decline. In the eyes of ordinary people, “neo-Nazi” organizations increasingly began to be associated with the “skinhead” movement. This continued until the end of the 80s.

In the late 80s and to this day, a new major manifestation of the “traditional” skinhead values ​​of the 60s began. This happened in England, America and most of Europe. It entailed a new confrontation between classical (traditional) and non-traditional (neo-fascist, anarchist and communist) skins.

The third wave was the skinheads of the mid-90s. A sign of “Civil War” appeared in the “skinhead movement”. Many of those who became “skinheads” more than 15 years ago began to appear on the streets and participate in the development of “skinhead culture.” 17-18 year old “punks” began to shave their heads, getting rid of the “Iroquois” and “dumpsters”.

Modern “skinheads” of Europe and the West are a mixture of “hard-mod/rudeboys” (hard mods/rudeboys) of the late 60s, and “punk/hard-core” skins of the early 80s . Their musical tastes range from “reggae” to modern “hard core”, as well as “ska”, “rocksteady”, “rockabilly”, “punk”, “Oi!” Some people only listen to “reggae”, some only “Oh!” or "punk". Of course, they are interested in their roots, the culture of “mods”, “scooters”, etc., but still for most skinheads of the late 90s this is an example from history.

In our country, the situation at the moment is as follows: we have few “red skins” (communist), SHARP skins, classic (traditional) skins. In Russia, the word “bonehead” is almost never used. "Bonehead" is a term used by classic and other skinheads to refer to any "skinhead werewolves" who hold racist or neo-fascist views. The concept of “skinhead” in 99 cases out of 100 in Russia is associated with neo-Nazism and racism
.
For reference:

1. SHARP skins are “skinheads against racial prejudice” (SkinHeads Against Racial Prejudice), they appeared in New York (USA) in the late 80s. Movements that share the ideology of “skinheads against racial prejudice” are SCAR, SPAR, RASH, HARP and others. There are Chinese, Hawaiian, Japanese movements from other countries whose ideology is similar to SHARP skins. They wore "S.H.A.R.P." patches. with a Trojan helmet - the same orange icon that Trojan Records put on their records thirty years ago. The Sharps were proud that the fire lit by the skinheads back in 1969 burned in their hearts.

2. “Redskins” or “RASH” - “Skinheads against Nazism and the power of capital” or “Red and Anarchist Skinheads”. They appeared independently of the Sharps a few years after them. RASH have leftist beliefs, they have no nationality, they are against racial purity and support everyone who needs their support. Their very name suggests that they are anarchists - they want freedom of action for everyone and strive to eliminate any pressure on people.

If we look at the history of the “skinhead movement” schematically, we can come to the conclusion that neo-fascist organizations that use elements of the culture of the “skinhead movement”, by definition, are not them.

Developing through the three stages we discussed above, the modern "skinhead culture" movement was forced to remain a non-political (apolitical) and non-racist movement. However, this position has led to the emergence of two “twin movements” that use elements of classical (traditional) “skinhead culture”, but are not them.

The red skinhead movement is a group of organizations representing different political and social groups, with different goals, but having one common and important goal - the destruction of the bonehead movement. Just 15 years ago, the “red skinhead” movement could be characterized as the radical wing of the classic “skinhead movement.” But during this time, the “red movement” has gone too far from apoliticality and every year is merging more and more with youth organizations of a communist and anarchist nature. Representatives of the “reds” criticize representatives of the classic (traditional) “skinhead movement” for their apoliticality.

The Bonehead movement is an artificially created neo-fascist organization of the late 60s. Behind last decades This movement, with elements of the skinhead movement, transformed into an active radical wing of neo-Nazi and racist organizations. At the moment, apart from the common elements of fashion, “boneheads” and “skinheads” have practically nothing in common.

It is worth noting that the movement of classic (traditional) skinheads promotes apoliticality, is not a racist organization and is more transformed into its initial stage - into a musical informal movement with its own attributes, culture of behavior and consumption. However, “classic skinheads” continue to remain adherents of certain values:

You must be a patriot of your country;
- You have to work;
- you must study;
- you can't be racist;

Misconception No. 1: “Skinheads are a movement associated with fascism”

As we have established, having examined the history of the emergence and development of the “skinhead” subculture, the “skinhead movement” has nothing in common with neo-Nazi movements and neo-fascist organizations.

It is safe to say that “skinheads” became victims of political intrigue in the late 70s, where neo-fascist parties successfully used the movement’s popularity among young people to increase the number of their adherents. The “traditionalists” became victims of their absolute apoliticality and were unable to promptly respond to a political provocation properly at the right time. This situation repeated itself in the late 80s, when government politicians in European countries began a campaign against the “skinhead movement” as the culprit of all the problems. It is worth noting that these are standard political tools that are very often used in politics in order to distract voters from the question “Where do our taxes go?” with the question “Who is to blame for all the problems?”

Continuing to be an apolitical and youth subculture, the “skinhead movement” will constantly be considered by the media and ordinary people as part of neo-fascism.

In order to refute the misconception that “skinheads are a criminal group and there is no culture there,” let’s look at music, fashion and tattooing in all the movements discussed in this article.

Music

We will not consider this direction in depth, because... We talked about it in the previous part of our article. Let us present the differences in the musical preferences of “boneheads” and “skinheads”.

The table shows that there are no common preferences in music for these two movements. It makes no sense to specifically examine the musical culture of the “skinhead movement”, because our work pursues other goals.

Fashion

“Suspenders” are an integral part of skinhead clothing. Suspenders were already worn by “Hard mods” in the mid-60s, along with tall boots and cropped jeans, before the nickname “skinhead” was even a thing. This type of clothing was called “working class style”. Wearing braces has always meant being working class.

Laborers and laborers on the river docks dressed this way back in the early 20th century. The suspenders were needed to prevent the shirt from getting caught on anything. The word “braces” is translated from English as “fasteners”, and in relation to clothing it can be translated as “construction fasteners”.

Most of the “skinheads” of the first wave were engaged in heavy manual labor. The further they went, the more they moved away from the “always new and sophisticated clothes” worn by their predecessors - “fashion”. Those who operated hand winches on the docks needed durable, comfortable clothing that would ensure their safety above all else. Boots with strong steel toes could protect feet from falling boxes or other heavy objects, and suspenders held clothing close to the body and prevented it from catching on anything or getting caught in the screw assemblies of winches. Jeans or simple canvas trousers made of strong fabric had strong double seams, and, finally, the shirt and jacket had pads on the shoulders, protecting workers from rain and damp sea wind.

The names for the clothes are notable, for example, a coat or jacket with padding on the shoulders was called a “donkey jacket”. The word "donkey" translates as "winch", and the combination of these words means "winchman's jacket". Thin suspenders were not called “suspenders”, as usual, but “braces” - this word had the additional meaning of “brackets” and “construction fasteners”. Boots were called "boots", not "shoes", and so on. Skinheads wear monochrome suspenders, without patterns, usually black or dark red; brightly colored suspenders are less common. They are always thin, no more than two fingers wide, folded together. It’s good if they have shiny locks and “crocodiles”.

Based on the way the braces are secured to the back, there are two types - X and Y. The braces of the 60s looked like “X”, today “Y” are more common. But it doesn't matter: someone wears X and someone wears Y. Sometimes they make X turn into Y by fastening ribbons on the back side by side.

For the first time, a detailed description of the clothing of traditional skinheads was given by the magazines “Hard as Nails” and “Zoot” in Scotland. They drew readers' attention to the fact that skinheads at all times dressed differently. They had different clothes for the street and on weekends. When they met each other, they sometimes could not understand who they were dealing with, the differences were so strong. But there was nothing strange - no two people are alike. And no two skinheads are alike.

Other skinhead clothing, which dates back to the mod era, is intended for going to a concert or making a good impression. This is an English suit, with which you can wear the same boots and braces, and with which you can wear a long coat in cold weather. Sometimes a hat like the ones worn by the Rudie Boys is placed on the head.

At various times, skinheads laughed at themselves by drawing monkeys in Ben Sherman shirts and Doctor Martens boots, blue work jeans and dockers' suspenders. Thus, they tried to show that it’s not just about clothes. There must be something else in my head.

Skinheads love tattoos, but there are a limited number of images on this topic. Here are the most common ones.

A flying swallow tattoo means freedom. Often there are laurel wreaths of glory and illuminated inscriptions "Oi!" - such designs mean a lot to those who wear them. Sometimes drawings well known to other skinheads or record covers are reproduced.

Here is another example: this is the legend of the crucifixion of Christ, depicted in this way. It means suffering, its original meaning is “crucified by capitalism”. This drawing reflects the beliefs of the first wave of skinheads.

Its continuation is the “skin” rising from the grave, on the stone above which is carved the inscription “Oi!” or laurel wreath of glory. This drawing means that there is no death, and that the tradition will never be stopped.

The birthplace of these two drawings is Scotland, the city of Edinburgh. In the Middle Ages, Catholic “myths” about ghosts and spirits were widespread there, as they are now about skinheads. The inhabitants were so sure of their existence that they even covered the graves with stone slabs. In the twentieth century, when hypocrisy became apparent, these drawings appeared.

Quote: “Killed by modernity, he will return” is a protest against Catholic morality, where everything is controlled by external forces: the good God, the carrot and stick and money. Against a world in which initially no one owes you anything. And where no one cares about you. This only applies to traditional skinheads and only matters to some of us. As a rule, we don't like to talk about it. And we won’t discuss it now.” .

Most “skinheads” have a negative attitude towards stripes. It is considered indecent to demonstrate one's membership in the movement with stripes. Quote: “Most of us don't need stripes - if you realize you belong to us and know how to dress, your appearance will be more than enough. Sparkling boots, rolled up jeans, a checkered shirt and suspenders - what could be better than such clothes? Why also the stripes?

The bonehead movement adopted some of the fashion elements of the skinhead movement, such as shoes, jeans, suspenders, hairstyles and jackets (usually leather). In addition, various stripes with Nazi swastikas, etc. are welcomed in the “bonehead” movement. (rice.)

“Boneheads” have a very obsessive attitude towards tattoos; as a rule, they try to get a lot of them and have an aggressive fascist character. Neo-Nazis have a definition of an “enemy” based on fashion (clothing and style), which must be destroyed. According to this scheme, it is necessary to search for and destroy the “enemy of the race.” The traditional “skinhead” movement has never had such a “portrait” and, most likely, never will. For “red skinheads” such an “enemy” is the “bonehead”.

The traditional drink of “skinhead culture” is “beer” (“ale”), the consumption of strong drinks is not encouraged.

В движении «бонхэд» не существует какой-либо культуры употребления напитков, кроме запрета употребления «ниггерских» напитков. The Russian "bonehead" prefers to drink the true Slavic drink - vodka.

Misconception No. 2 “Skinheads are a criminal group and there is no culture there”

Let's consider the concepts of culture and subculture. Subculture- a system of values, behavior patterns, and life style of a social group, which is an independent holistic formation within the framework of the dominant culture.

Culture- a set of material and spiritual values, life ideas, patterns of behavior, norms, methods and techniques of human activity:

Reflecting a certain level of historical development of society and man;
embodied in subject matter, material media and passed on to subsequent generations

Note that the skinhead movement has all the necessary subcultural elements. You cannot call a subculture a criminal group, just as you cannot call the activities of a criminal group a manifestation of a subculture. The “bonehead” movement is also a youth subculture, but it has nothing in common, other than suspenders, boots and hairstyles, with the “skinhead” movement.

The situation is frightening when hundreds of crimes are committed by “boneheads”, and for them there are all the necessary articles in the administrative and criminal code of the Russian Federation, and law enforcement agencies throw up their hands and say: “So these are skinheads - what can we do?!”

One can argue about the responsibility of the state to citizens for a very long time, but only the state has the monopoly right to use force (violence) to protect citizens. When officials refuse to fulfill their duties and invite citizens to deal with their problems themselves (without breaking the laws), this fuels a wave of myths and fears about the impossibility of solving the problem of “skin violence.” After all, if the state cannot do what can a citizen do? Everyone has the right to be afraid... And it's scary. After some time, common myths and fears increase the problem and complicate it.

Let's try to look at misconception No. 3: “The problem of skinhead violence cannot be solved.”

Misconception No. 3 “The problem of skinhead violence cannot be solved”

We agree that the problem of growing radicalism and illegal behavior cannot be solved. Moreover, it is impossible to solve if you do nothing and do not understand what you are faced with. Let's try to analyze what we are faced with and what can be done.

Let's try to look at the problem from different points of view. Let us quote officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (//News.ru, February 4, 2003). “The tactics and methods of their [the boneheads’] actions have undergone changes. The skinheads switched to the tactics of what we call “target strikes.” According to a representative of the GUUR, skinheads do not have a single organization. “There are many varieties in the movement itself - Nazi skins, privateer skins and others. The only thing that unites them is inciting national hatred by calling for violence.”

“There are from 15 to 20 thousand skinheads in Russia. The movement includes disparate groups whose numbers fluctuate. Thus, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the capital region there are about 5 thousand active participants in this movement and about 100 leaders at various levels. In St. Petersburg, about 3 thousand skinheads and 17 neo-fascist organizations are registered as preventive measures. ...According to him, various media provide them with considerable support in this. Moreover, as a rule, propaganda affects 13-17 year old teenagers. That is why, according to Komarov, the Ministry of Internal Affairs concentrates its work “not on bringing the maximum number of extremists to criminal responsibility,” but on operational and preventive activities. In particular, in November last year, an attempt by neo-fascists to hold a congress dedicated to the birthday of the organizer of the skinhead movement, Ian Stewart, was stopped, in which about 400 people wanted to take part.

According to RIA Novosti, in total in 2002, under Art. 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (incitement of national, racial or religious hatred) 71 criminal cases were initiated, 31 of them were sent to court, 16 people have already been punished.”

Let's look at some facts. Here are the titles of books and manuals: “Hooligan style of hand-to-hand combat”, “Use what is at hand”, “Fight as it is”, etc. All these are detailed guides on how to conduct street fights, how to use improvised means, how to inflict maximum injuries and much more. These reference books are studied and intensively studied. These guides are openly sold. Let's give some examples: “You should wear a razor in such a way as not to injure yourself... ...it is better if the blade is secured with tightly fitting clothing... ...removing the weapon should not take much time...”.

“...Blows delivered by a razor along their trajectory resemble glancing blows with a fist.... ...eyes, skin of the forehead (bleeds heavily - blinds), neck, large arteries of the arms and legs, stomach... ...the muscles of the peritoneum, often covered with a thick layer of fat, are pierced by a powerful circular blow... ...there are no invulnerable places for a razor... ...and it heals slowly, unlike wounds inflicted by a blunt weapon...".

“A head blow to the face is much more dangerous than previous blows - delivered quickly and at close range, it is almost irresistible. ...throw with your foot in the stomach... ...do not let the enemy get to a distance convenient for such an attack...".

Neo-fascist groups study and constantly practice these tips. If we generalize the experience of creating radical groups, for example, the Blackshirts in Germany, the Brownshirts in Italy in the 30s, and modern youth groups, you can find a lot of the same signs. The process of turning ordinary people into “storm troopers” in the 30s and currently turning young people into members of organized criminal gangs have a lot in common.

According to Lifton's concept of “doubling,” the best way to consolidate a new role model of behavior is its practical application and recruitment of new members. Based on this, we can assume with great confidence that every year the neo-fascist movement is becoming more united and coordinated, and the number of attacks and crimes against “racial enemies” is also growing. Statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and human rights organizations prove this.

It is worth noting that “boneheads” and “red skinheads” are actively fighting for an important resource to replenish their ranks. Football fans, mainly young people, are best source to replenish the ranks of his group. At almost all major football matches, well-planned and prepared actions take place - beatings and attacks on fans of the other team. Perhaps someone will say that the author exaggerates the problem of football fights, but then how can one explain that every year the number of law enforcement forces at football matches increases (including riot police)?! How to explain the fact that fans of another team are taken out on special buses, accompanied by heavy police security?! “Security measures,” you will say, and you will be right.

I can argue that only by protecting and allowing the activities of criminal youth groups under the guise of certain subcultures does the state deepen the problem of the growth of radicalism in youth subcultures.

Football massacres are a phenomenon of recent years, and this problem did not exist before. What are officials doing wrong? What allows the problem to grow in scale? Misunderstanding and struggle not with the source of the problem, but with the consequences. At the moment, methods are being used to mislead the public. They offer us a new brand of evil - “skinheads”, equating it to an incurable disease, for example “AIDS”.

In this article, the author set the goal of explaining the “skinheads” brand not from the position from which officials and many media offer it to us, but from the position of a youth subculture that is not directly related to the lawlessness being committed. "Skinheads" are youth subculture, which arose as a protest against public morality and which is focused on its values. Let me note - on civil values, among which there will never be a place for racial intolerance.

There is a problem of uncontrollability of the existence of illegal radical, often criminal groups that call themselves “Aryan skinheads”, but, in fact, are neo-Nazi groups. Perhaps officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation should pay attention to the principle of “justice and irreversibility of punishment,” and perhaps in the near future our country will stop beating people of a different, dissimilar culture.

Hoping for the best,

Vershinin Mikhail Valerievich
Psychologist, “exit consultant”
[email protected]
09.01.2004

By publishing this article, the Author does not pursue commercial goals, but acts exclusively within the framework of scientific research, expressing a subjective opinion without the purpose of discrediting the mentioned legal entities (individuals), and reporting knowingly false results. The author does not pursue the goal of popularizing his ideas in light of the consequences of terrorist attacks that occurred in Russia and the world.

Note Author: J. Lifton is an American psychologist who developed the concept of personality duplication in his book Nazi Doctors: Medical Murder and the Psychology of Genocide. This research has led to a more accurate understanding of how people who are mentally and physically healthy, educated and idealistic can quickly become fanatics of movements whose entire ideology and activities directly contradict their original views on the world. Such a sharp and deep resocialization of the individual is the result of a specific adaptive reaction under conditions of extreme group pressure and manipulation of basic human needs. Lifton called it "doubling." Doubling consists of dividing the self-system into two independently functioning entities. Division occurs because at a certain point the group member is confronted with the fact that his new behavior is incompatible with the pre-group self. The behavior required and rewarded by the totalitarian group is so different from the “old self” that the usual psychological defenses (rationalization, repression, etc.) are not enough for life functioning. All thoughts, beliefs, actions, feelings and roles associated with being in a destructive cult are organized into an independent system, a partial "I", which is completely consistent with the requirements of this group, but this does not happen according to free choice personality, but as an instinctive reaction of self-preservation in almost unbearable - psychologically - conditions. The new partial self acts as the whole self, eliminating internal psychological conflicts.

Facilities mass media The word “skinheads” is often used, and in the vast majority of cases it carries a negative connotation. Let’s not allow ourselves superficial judgments and let’s figure out who they are, and why in the minds of the British, a skinhead is still more often dressed in a Crombie or Harrington than in the usual bomber jacket.

As we described in the previous article (see), in the sixties, the youth of Great Britain were captivated by the image of fashion - a young esthete, hedonist and dandy.

In the second half of the decade, several ways of developing this image were outlined. The world of music was captured by a wave of psychedelia, and fashion could not stay away. Parties became a veritable kaleidoscope of surreal patterns and bright colors. Young people developed a completely different style for themselves, who became known as “hard mods”. It was simpler, more practical and strongly contrasted with the images of bohemia.

It cannot be argued that this was a deliberate opposition to fashion. The differences between hard fashion and representatives of the “golden youth” and the creative intelligentsia were natural: the difference at the level of the social environment led to a divergence in tastes and outlook on life. However, by the end of the 60s it became more noticeable within the subculture itself. Those mods that went on a rampage during the famous pogroms in the south of Great Britain in the mid-60s can safely be considered hard mods. They loved to fight, engaged in thefts and robbery, carried bladed weapons and often united in real gangs. These were young people born after the war.

Adolescence This generation came at a time when the difficulties of the war and post-war years were left behind: it was possible to live without thinking only about how to feed ourselves and restore the country. The fashion revolution of the sixties, aimed at teenagers, was beginning. Everyone wanted to keep up with the times. A lot of music, clubs and stylish clothes appeared around, and all this could be yours - if only you had the money!

The booming British economy provided jobs, making it possible to earn money through honest work for a stylish suit and a motor scooter. It was possible to take an “easier” route - crime in all its forms helped to get money for new clothes, drugs and trips to the most fashionable clubs in the city. On Friday night, fashionists behaved like playmakers, pop idols and high society people, but the day came, and many of them had to go back to work or look for illegal income.

“I was called a hard mod... The media seized on the story of the pogroms [the famous clash between mods and rockers in the south of England in 1964] and described the mods as a crazy crowd of drug addicts, prone to violence and disorder. Of course, there was a grain of truth in the nonsense that the newspapers wrote. Among the mods there were those who went to Brighton, Margate and other cities just to cause complete chaos there. I must admit, I was one of them.

Reputation was everything. I started carrying a weapon (an axe) with me and was ready to use it if necessary... Appearance was very important - everyone around me was literally obliged to wear a woolen suit."

John Leo Waters

British hard fashion of the late 60s, London

The fact is that, despite the desire for elitism, the origins of the fashion movement largely lay in the working environment. The poor and disadvantaged areas of south London were home to many mods and ordinary teenagers who absorbed the city's culture with the vivacity of their age.

Brixton was one such area and included a large Jamaican diaspora. A declining economy, a crime wave, a hurricane that devastated eastern Jamaica in 1944, and the promise of jobs from the British government attracted immigrants from the Caribbean to London. A sharp influx of foreigners from a distant country played a crucial role in the transformation of hard mods into skinheads. In 1962, the former British colony gained independence, but such a large-scale political event could not but have negative consequences for the population. Many Jamaicans continued to emigrate to the former metropolis.

In a new place, Jamaican youth introduced their London peers to their culture. The island had its own subculture: rude boys - literally “rude guys”, but in Jamaican English they are more likely “hard”, “severe”. The Rude Boi were from working class backgrounds and were often violent towards each other and those around them. Their life was not easy, because they often grew up in the most disadvantaged areas of Kingston, the capital of a not very peaceful country. Like many young people, especially the more daring ones and often involved in crime, Rud Boi tried to dress like a brand new: suits, skinny ties, Trilby and Pork Pie hats. Perhaps this style was inspired jazz musicians USA. The Rude Boys preferred the latest and most modern local music: ska and then rocksteady.

Ska is a musical genre that originated in Jamaica at the turn of the fifties and sixties. Combining American rhythm and blues with the Caribbean styles of mento and calypso led to the emergence of a completely new and very distinctive sound.

In the second half of the sixties, ska music evolved into rocksteady. Compared to its predecessor, this style is characterized by a slower tempo, syncopated bass and the use of small groups with an electric bass guitar (early ska groups were large ensembles and mainly used double bass). The most important ska bands and performers were and remain Toots and The Maytals, The Skatalites, Bob Marley and the Wailers (the latter's leader became one of the most recognizable musicians in history), The Upsetters (the band of the famous producer Lee "Scratch" Perry), Derrick Morgan , Max Romeo, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker and many others.

So, on a wave of emigration, Jamaican youth culture came to the shores of Foggy Albion. It is not surprising that due to their close age, love of music and desire to look interesting, the English guys began to adopt the ore fighting style. The Mods traditionally loved American soul and rhythm and blues, but were also quite interested in Jamaican music. A huge credit for this goes to the English label Melodisc Records, founded in 1949 and releasing Afro-Caribbean music. The company began recording Jamaican musicians in London and, building on the success of these recordings, founded the Blue Beat Records division. It specialized in the music of ska and rocksteady, beloved by ores, mods, and then skinheads.

One of the brightest musicians, with whom the label collaborated was Prince Buster, a man who made a huge contribution to the development of ska and the popularization of the genre in the UK.

The youth of south London with great interest visited clubs aimed at Jamaicans, which were called “ska bars,” learned to dance ska and adopted elements of the style. Records of African-American and Caribbean music were selling like hot cakes in stores.

Thus, when some of the mods began to gravitate towards psychedelic music in the late sixties, the south London mods already had a special connection with the music of Jamaica, and the hard mods did not follow the bohemians. Native Londoners and immigrants, hard fashion and ore fighting merged into a subculture that came to be called skinheads. The name of the subculture is made up of two words: “skin” - “skin” and “head” - “head”. There is a version that this word was taken from the vocabulary of American infantrymen.

“...Fashion and music changed. Clubs started playing weird music like The Byrds and Jimi Hendrix, and the mods had no choice but to go to Jamaican clubs - only they didn't stop playing black music. So the mods went to ska clubs and adopted the rudboy style, but since they weren't black, they couldn't call themselves that, so they borrowed the word "skinheads", which was the name given to US Marine Corps recruits who had their heads shaved when they went into army. In the Marine Corps, only the officers called a recruit a “skinhead,” like, “Hey, you skinhead, come here!” So originally the skinhead style was a white version of the rudboy style."

Dick Coomes

These people moved further and further away from the refinement of mods, and after several decades the connection between the two subcultures was barely traceable. But let’s take a closer look at the first generation skinheads, the so-called Traditional Skinheads.

What did they look like? To the usual “Sta-Prest” mods, which kept their shape perfectly, several more equally practical elements were added: jeans, suspenders and heavy work boots. Haircuts have become shorter and simpler. Some, in the fashion of the fighting or the practicality of the workers, shaved almost baldly. Skinheads wore mohair, beloved by mods and hard mods, but with a slightly elongated cut, and plaid “button-down” shirts, the collar of which was secured with buttons.

The classic and famous MA-1 bomber jacket was extremely popular, which later became an icon of the subculture image and, in fact, its synonym. Even jackets have not disappeared from the wardrobe of hard mod skinheads. Among outerwear, the windbreaker was also popular - a cotton semi-sports bomber jacket with border stripes on the collar, sleeves and elastic at the bottom, as well as a working jacket for British dockers.

A curious detail was the manner of tucking the trousers. Lightly at first to show the boots, then harder to show off the colored socks taken from the Rudo Boi style. According to the recollections of those years, once the organizers of the concert gave the famous reggae singer Desmond Dekker a suit, and he asked to shorten his trousers by fifteen centimeters. In imitation of their idol, teenagers began to roll up their trousers. Not to mention that, to a certain extent, Mr. Dekker contributed to the fashion for short haircuts among the future skinheads who admired him.