The Black Panthers were fucking awesome

[Nique]

I was kind of thrown by his use of the word 'punk' as well. I guess you'd have to understand the way the word was being thrown around in the 70s or maybe even expierience it firsthand to really get the meaning but the etomology of the word sounds sort of interesting, and points to it being used against homosexuals.

Originally Posted by http://www.etymonline.com/

punk (1)
1896, "inferior, bad," also "something worthless," earlier "rotten wood used as tinder" (1680s), probably from Delaware (Algonquian) ponk, lit. "dust, powder, ashes;" but Gaelic spong "tinder" also has been suggested (cf. spunk "touchwood, tinder," 1580s). Meaning "Chinese incense" is from 1870.

punk (2)
"worthless person" (especially a young hoodlum), 1917, probably from punk kid "criminal's apprentice," underworld slang first attested 1904 (with overtones of "catamite"). Ultimately from punk "prostitute, harlot, strumpet," first recorded 1590s, of unknown origin. For sense shift from "harlot" to "homosexual," cf. gay. By 1923 used generally for "young boy, inexperienced person" (originally in show business, e.g. punk day, circus slang from 1930, "day when children are admitted free"). The verb meaning "to back out of" is from 1920. The "young criminal" sense is no doubt the inspiration in punk rock first attested 1971 (in a Dave Marsh article in "Creem"), popularized 1976.

It's only less insulting or derogatory now, it would seem, because the culture around perceived 'punks' became sort of a popular or trendy counter-culture thing?