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The 80s—a time of neon lights, booming synths, and boundless creativity. For those of us who lived through it, it was more than just a decade of big hair and arcade games; it was a cultural revolution that brought people together in ways the modern world seems to have forgotten. Fast-forward to today, where “woke culture” often accuses Gen Xers and Xennials of being the “most racist, sexist, or otherwise ‘-ist’ generation.” These judgments are not only frustrating but deeply misleading, as they ignore the spirit of unity, inclusivity, and individuality that defined the 80s and 90s.
Let’s set the record straight: the culture we grew up in wasn’t perfect—no era is—but it was far from the divisive caricature that newer generations paint it to be. Synthwave, which takes its soul from the 80s, stands as a reminder of what that time was really about: unity, freedom of expression, and a love for people of all backgrounds.
The 80s: A Decade of Coming Together
Back in the 80s and 90s, nobody cared about your race, gender, or political affiliations. We weren’t obsessing over “marginalized voices” or ticking boxes for diversity quotas. Instead, we bonded over shared interests—music, movies, and the cultural phenomena that defined our youth. Whether it was breakdancing in the streets, blasting Michael Jackson or Prince on your boombox, or competing on “Street Fighter II” in the local arcade, our connections transcended surface-level differences.
MTV, for example, became a melting pot of genres, artists, and styles, introducing us to everyone from Run-D.M.C. to Madonna. Hip-hop, rock, and pop collided, creating a soundtrack that spoke to everyone. Films like The Breakfast Club reminded us that people from different walks of life could come together and find common ground. The 80s weren’t about division—they were about celebration.
The Rise of Woke Culture and Its Distorted Lens
Enter woke culture, a movement that claims to champion inclusivity but often feels like a divisive force. Modern generations judge the past with a distorted lens, one shaped by college lectures and social media echo chambers. They see oppression where there was connection, and discrimination where there was individuality.
What they fail to recognize is that the labels and divisions they champion today—splitting people into endless categories of identity—would have felt alien to us in the 80s. Back then, people were people. Sure, we had our differences, but we were working towards unity, not finding reasons to separate.
The 80s and 90s were about building bridges, not walls. It wasn’t until much later, when political agendas started turning culture into a battleground, that this unity began to unravel.
Woke culture didn’t invent inclusivity—it took the organic connections of the past and turned them into rules, quotas, and restrictions.
Synthwave: A Neon Beacon of Inclusivity
Synthwave captures the essence of the 80s, not just in sound but in spirit.
Its neon glow, dreamy soundscapes, and futuristic vibes celebrate a world where everyone belongs. Synthwave doesn’t care about your background—it’s a genre where creativity reigns supreme.
The Soundtrack of Unity: Synthwave draws inspiration from 80s anthems that were unapologetically inclusive. Artists like Queen, Whitney Houston, and Duran Duran didn’t care who was listening—they made music for everyone.
Retro Gaming Culture: Video games in the 80s and 90s were universal. It didn’t matter who you were when you grabbed that second controller—you were Mario or Luigi, a team fighting Bowser together.
The Aesthetic of Belonging: The bright colors, retro-futuristic art, and nostalgic vibes of Synthwave remind us of a time when individuality was celebrated, not policed.
The Fantasy of Modern Labels
One of the starkest contrasts between then and now is the obsession with labels. In the 80s, people didn’t walk around with a list of pronouns or identities. You were who you were, and that was enough. The idea of “72 genders” would’ve seemed like a joke because, quite frankly, it’s a fantasy. People connected through actions and attitudes, not a checklist of identity markers.
Why Synthwave Will Always Be Inclusive
Synthwave isn’t just a genre—it’s a movement that honors the inclusivity of the 80s. It’s a place where everyone can lose themselves in the music, free from judgment and labels. As the glow of the 80s continues to inspire, Synthwave reminds us that true unity doesn’t come from rules or quotas—it comes from celebrating our shared humanity.
So to the woke warriors who criticize the past: take a moment to look beyond your distorted lens. The 80s and 90s weren’t perfect, but they were filled with hope, connection, and a belief in a brighter future. Synthwave keeps that dream alive, and for that, we’ll always be neon warriors of unity.
Keep the neon glowing, and remember: the 80s didn’t just happen—it lives on in us, and it’s a world where everyone belongs.
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