Love and Rage: Autonomy in Mexico City's Punk Scene

Love and Rage is a book that explores punk in Mexico City, showing how it is more than just music, but a lifestyle choice that commits scene participants to experimentation with anarchist politics. It uses the concept of autogestión (self-management) and vignettes to demonstrate how punk-scene sounds and practices foster autogestión through intensely affective experiences, understood as manifestations of love and rage.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Wesleyan University Press

Love and Rage is a captivating and in-depth exploration of punk culture in Mexico City, delving into its lived and practiced experiences. Ethnographer Kelley Tatro skillfully weaves together the sounds of punk music with diverse styles of political activism, establishing a profound connection between the two. Through compelling first-person accounts, Tatro reveals that punk is not merely a genre of music but a lifestyle choice that involves a commitment to experimenting with anarchist politics. At the heart of this process lies the concept of autogestión (self-management), a term with deep roots in local leftist politics.

In intricate vignettes, grounded in historical, social, and political contexts, the book showcases how punk-scene sounds and practices foster autogestión through intensely affective experiences. These experiences are perceived as manifestations of love and rage, driving individuals to challenge established norms and engage in self-directed action.

Drawing on the rich history of anarchism in Mexico City and the field of social movement scholarship, Love and Rage offers a detailed account of the pleasures and challenges associated with using music as a tool for creating autonomous politics. The book explores the ways in which punk music can serve as a platform for expressing dissent, promoting social change, and building community among marginalized groups. It also examines the complexities and tensions that arise when music is intertwined with political agendas, highlighting the potential for both empowerment and exploitation.

Through its ethnographic lens, Love and Rage provides a nuanced and empathetic understanding of punk culture in Mexico City. It sheds light on the experiences of individuals who are marginalized by society and who use punk as a means of expressing their identities and challenging oppressive systems. The book offers valuable insights into the power of music to inspire and mobilize, as well as the complexities and challenges of navigating the political landscape in a society marked by inequality and social unrest.

In conclusion, Love and Rage is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of music, politics, and culture. It offers a rich and nuanced account of punk culture in Mexico City, highlighting the ways in which it fosters autogestión and serves as a platform for political activism. Through its compelling storytelling and insightful analysis, the book provides valuable insights into the complexities and dynamics of contemporary society, challenging readers to think critically about the role of music and culture in shaping our world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780819580948