This is an essay I was made to do for my English class about Stereotypes. The situation Puerto Rico is in with Rock music maybe similar to other places in the world, so I'm sure people might be able to relate to this, Plus I had fun writing this up so I'm posting it for the heck of it.
Rock In Puerto Rico: Where do we stand?
In the history of mankind, music has always existed. It is a form of expression and for even some, music is a way of life. It brings us together and it tears us apart, it influences, informs, perverts and inspires. Although it has only existed for half a century, the music genre known as Rock has been able to develop into one of the most opinionated genres of music.
The themes of rock music touch every social and political issue due to this, Rockers are branded renegades for their rebellious attitude towards society. This genre has spread all over the world and Puerto Rico is no acceptation. In Puerto Rico the rock scene is still under construction although it has managed to make a few break through with Spanish rock bands, for example “La Secta” or “Circo” can be heard on almost any Puerto Rican radio Broadcast. Yet it is seldom to hear Metal being played in radio stations. Only about ten percent of the radio stations play rock and less than five percent specialize in broad casting Rock. The unfortunate reality here is that on this island of ours, rockers are a minority which is a major detriment for Puerto Rican rock Musician. Most of the myriads of flourishing Puerto Rican rock bands are stuck playing underground due to the fact that Reggaeton is what most Puerto Ricans of this generation are listening too and want to hear.
Even though the view of rock musicians is polarized, Puerto Rican rock has many followers but the situation for the musician who plays in a band and simply wants to live a life of music is difficult.
The way a Rocker dresses up all hinge on the genre of rock listened too. On just observation sometimes it is easy at times to catalog what people may listen too. People tend to be so influenced by the music they hear, that they may at times imitate the manner a musician dresses, prior to genre.
If you were to visit the mall, which seems to be breeding ground for most teenage rockers, you might see a boy dressed in black, with long hair, various piercings, with chains dragging along their side making a jingle as their leather combat boots hit the cement floor aggressively; it would probably be a good guess to say that that person may be Goth, into death Metal, or is involved some satanic organization. Then you turn your head to look at the guy wearing skinny jeans with a colorful stud belt and a extensive motley collection of bracelets on one arm, a tight shirt that looks like he may have stole it from his little sister, and a hairdo that conveniently covers half his face, but not the fact that he’s wearing eyeliner; some might think he’s Emo, he listens to Screamo/Emo bands, cuts himself and quite possibly homosexual. It is Stereotypes like these that make rock shine in a somewhat negative light in Puerto Rico and sometimes even feared. Some people skeptically might draw to the conclusion that all rockers cut themselves, put on makeup, sacrifice small animals and worship Satan.
What most rock musician want is to send a message to society, and how we interpret the message is something personal. It is hoped that established prejudicial stereotypes will little by little demised as the rock scene in Puerto Rico grow, although that might take awhile, many stand determined.
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