The proto-punk band Death has a motto, “Before there was punk, there was Death.” In Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, this takes on new meaning. Whether she’s considered goth or emo, the Netflix live-action Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) represents the culture and the community. Although the scene-queen Cinamon Hadley originally inspired the character, specifically for her Deathrock styling, Gaiman chose Baptiste because she personifies the character best.
Death is universal. It is the last dance for every creature, planet, or star. Inside the world of The Sandman, true to her nature, it doesn’t matter which ethnicity or even gender Death takes on. However, out here, her Blackness enhances her symbolism and her compassion lands differently. In true-to-life punk aesthetic, Death is willing to get down and get dirty—to feel things for herself and understand humanity better. Even if what she must do is die. Her empathy and humanitarianism are the major punk principles that make Death iconic. Theme Music Pick: “Fall Asleep” – Big Joanie
Afro-Punk characters break out of narrow archetypes and offer us anti-heroes we can rock with. We know them when we see them. They represent the “un-scene” faces of punk. And our goth queen, Death transforms societal fears of what comes next into acceptance.
“I’m not your puppet anymore.” – Kat Elliot, Wendell & Wild
Of course, we must talk about the rebellious punk spirit. The lead character in “Wendell & Wild” might have a playlist filled with golden-age punk rock (thanks to her Dad), but Kat Elliot (Lyric Ross) is pure post-punk. From her green afro puffs to her Vivienne Westwood-inspired plaid skirt and oversized safety pins, Kat is a rebel. One who combines what punk was with what it is becoming. When she unleashes her identity at school—with her tricked-out boombox and her boots made for stomping—it is a form of connection through blatant honesty. She’s saying, “This is who I am,” because punk is truth [sic]. Look for Meet Me @ The Altar, Pleasure Venom, and Nova Twins to see and hear for yourselves. Those real-life Kats are proof. Theme Music Pick: “Say It (To My Face)” – Meet Me @ The Altar
In this world of conformity, the “Me” reigns throughout the punk scene. Speaking quietly or screaming at peak volume, the conversation among Black punks is an “accept me or nah” proposition. While another subset finds the balance between mainstream life and punk expression, redefining being unseen by choice while remaining punk AF on the inside. It’s all valid. Not because I say so but, to paraphrase Audre Lorde, because we must define ourselves for ourselves.
… And Many More
Black filmmakers like Danny Denial (“Bazzooka,” “Kill Me to Death”) and Laci Dent (“Into the Night”) are populating the cinematic landscape with fictional characters who span the intersection of BIPOC, punk, and queer perspectives. In biopics, Debby Bishop plays Phoebe in “Sid and Nancy” (1986), a friend and tour manager for the Sex Pistols.