/it is only that they are so different from what I see and know.
I live in a college town in flyover country. I was a professor, now working in an administrative capacity. We’ve got all kinds - pink hair; goths; big, blond farm boys; black kids with dreads, and ‘regular’ looking people of all races. You can’t judge from outward appearance. Most of them are nice people - and you’d be surprised at how many ‘out there’ looking kids don’t do drugs and are actually pretty straight.
I look at these pictures and think any of them could be walking around campus and I wouldn’t think twice. They are somebody’s child and it’s tragic what probably has happened to them.
My point is not good and bad people; rather what is the explanation for their unaware conformity of androgony, femininity, ostentatious tattoos and the like. To say it is just being young begs the question as many appear to be well over 18. We have something in common as college professors but I have to say my students were few and far between in the bizarre appearance department.
Good post! Max dittos.