- Straight Edge An Outline -
Straight Edge began in the early 80’s, the philosophy spanning and then diversifying from a song by the band Minor Threat, never meaning to start what effectively became a revolution.
The basic tenet of the philosophy centred on the issue of self-control. Straight Edge is abstinence from all narcotics (alcohol / tobacco / drugs).
The song Out Of Step (With The World) written by Ian Mackaye eschewed the nihilistic tendencies of punk rock, promoting the simplistic message “don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t fuck at least I can fucking think” The band also wrote the song Straight Edge which is where the name comes from.
Out Of Step (With The World) - From The “In My Eyes” EP 1981
(I) Don't smoke
Don't drink
Don't fuck
At least I can fucking think
I can't keep up,
Can't keep up
Can't keep up
Out of step with the world
Straight Edge – From The “Minor Threat” EP 1981
I'm a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and fuck my head
Hang out with the living dead
Snort white shit up my nose
Pass out at the shows
I don't even think about speed
That's something I just don't need
I'VE GOT THE STRAIGHT EDGE
I'm a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and smoke dope
'Cause I know I can cope
Laugh at the thought of eating ludes
Laugh at the thought of sniffing glue
Always gonna keep in touch
Never want to use a crutch
I'VE GOT THE STRAIGHT EDGE
“People over time finding themselves increasingly disenchanted with societal ills, began to adopt the Straight Edge doctrine as a blueprint to better first themselves, and then the world in which they lived. While the original definition of Straight Edge only included the rejection of mind altering substances and promiscuous sex.”
(There are no dietary or religious beliefs tied into what constitutes being straight edge contrary to media coverage of the subject)
Modern interpreters have suggested also vegetarianism, veganism, celibacy, religion and an increasing involvement and awareness of environmental and political issues but these essentially have nothing to do with the lifestyle they are separate choices, being Straight Edge means being DRUG FREE (A LIFETIME COMITMENT)
In America a common practice (in the late 80’s) at all-ages punk shows was to mark minors with an "X" on their hands so they couldn't buy alcohol. As the Straight Edge philosophy grew popular, kids who were older than 21 (Or 18 like here in the UK) but didn't drink for ideological reasons started to mark themselves with the X in a show of solidarity. The X today is widely used as a sort of a nametag for straight edge kids. A symbol for drug free pride displayed proudly on clothing and other items making it easy for Straight Edge kids to identify with each other.
While its detractors often claim that Straight-Edger’s are no more than suburbanite, cliquish fashion victims, few can argue that the X logo is still a valid symbol of unity, which is what it is men’t to represent.
Straight Edge is more than a word, It's using the clarity of mind to become an effective revolutionary; a positive peer pressure, your parents will tell you to stay away from alcohol, tobacco, drugs and the initial reaction to that is to rebel, go out and do those things that they don't want you doing.
But when you see your peers up on stage spreading this positive message, singing fast aggressive music, your opinion can change, the idea of not doing these things can stick in there and that is how I first heard about it from going to shows and listening to straight edge hardcore bands. Aside from straight edge bands many hardcore bands usually have straight edge members too.
In a way it's sad because there are situations of kids with alcohol problems and drug addictions who pursued that because of societal peer pressure.
Straight Edge is more than just a lifestyle to me, Straight Edge is family; the whole hardcore scene is in all retrospect. I mean for example if you are in a band and you are looking for support from the scene but you are not seen to be supporting it then the scene will not support you.
It's a lot more productive to have a clear head than to just go out, get wasted and forget about what's going on in the world. It should make people think twice about what they are getting themselves involved in and these drugs they are taking, alcohol, tobacco or whatever. They only serve to hinder your existence rather than improve it.
It is taken to the point where people are no longer capable of being without their “comfort drug” when things are a little rough-at a time when a clear head would help the most.
I’ve been straight edge since 2000, my 18th birthday and the legal drinking age here in the UK. When my dad had his first heart attack in 2001; I’d been edge for little over 5 months. He then had another in 2004 and I know that everyone out there knows someone who's ill or has been ill or died and times like that in my opinion & from my own experiences were better with a clear head. I’m very close to my dad and when I was really young he took me to my first rock shows and festivals it’s sad seeing a friend or family member to go through anything like that - especially if the lifestyle they had chosen had been a contributing factor to there illness.
It’s taught me you really don’t need those drugs cause if you can overcome that sort of heartache without them then you will be a better person for it. I found in incredibly hard watching my dad go through that; I don't really like talking about it. Life can be hard sometimes but it's learning from what gets thrown your way and becoming a better person for it that will see you coming out on top. You have to stay positive & strong not just for yourself but everyone around you I have a nephew now who is the light of my life & I want to set good examples for him, instil in him good values. Being in control & not having a buffer is one of the ways I can achieve this.
Straight Edge kids don't have an outlet and as you know every day has its struggles but you deal with them, learn from them, and reflect on what you've done, go to bed and still try to be in a positive mood when you wake up in the morning. Enjoy the present & make the most of your future what happens in your life is your responsibility – you can and will do anything that you set your mind to if you want it enough. Carpe Diem.
You have to remember as long as the alcohol and tobacco industries are allowed to spend however many millions on advertising infiltrating & distributing there shit through the mass media monopolising prime time slots to target the minorities such as the poor, young and impressionable, Straight Edge will never be endorsed by the masses. People with money run the government and the tobacco and alcohol companies are big powerful industries. One person makes an individual stance, ten people make a team, 1000 make a fucking army and this army continues to grow with every passing day.
Everyone should live how they are comfortable, it’s just my opinion to function with the aid of a drug is not healthy; I see it as a waste of a life.
I hate people joking around about it, even friends or family, sly remarks or just negative comments Straight Edge has never been a joke for me and so it’s difficult for me to accept other people joking around about it. Over time though I see respect in the eyes where once there may have been ridicule or misunderstanding. Sometimes someone who is different or who do’s something that goes against the grain of normality may get a confused reaction from a person not used to change. I think it’s important for new concepts to challenge people’s mentalities and levels of acceptance. I guess if those people can see in me the sincerity of my convictions then somehow to them my belief system will become a valid justification of my lifestyle.
Straight Edge is not a violent movement* and it's not about enforcing opinion most violent behaviour is brought about by intoxication.
I live my life with a passion and I admit I hate people misjudging what the straight edge is, or express negativity, or call it a cult - for god’s sake its so funny! It's just a bunch of punk kids who are teetotal trying to do something responsible and make the most out of what we’ve got. Were not out to beat kids up most of us are pacifists. No one blinks an eye at a football team who go to the gym; workout, eat healthy and keep clear of drugs. So there must be some kind of ulterior motive for us fucking "dead end" kids to do that stuff too. Its stupid but that’s life and you know what? I wouldn’t change it for the world! If someone’s not going to see eye to eye with me I’m not going to hold a grudge, I’m just going to be myself and be happy with that.
*(Straight Edge & the hardcore scene for the most part is against violence of any kind, kids who encourage violence are usually shunned or if at shows kicked out)
Never back down and don’t let anyone spit on your lifestyle you know? Be it Edge or whatever take pride in what you do and how you do it. It doesn’t have to ever result in violence; more can be achieved through the power of spoken word & printed text.
At the end of the day people should be able to live the way they want to, who is to say what is right and what is wrong? Straight Edge has nothing to do with being better than anyone else which is another misconception about the subject that always pops up, a personal choice to improve oneself. I’m not saying I’m better, I’m not passing judgement, I’m not saying get in to it or else it’s just my personal choice.
To me someone who gets caught up in that is a victim, people have accepted these problems caused by alcohol, tobacco & drugs instead of questioning why they continue to abuse their bodies. Death and related illness are now part of the norm it just doesn't seem right, but that is the choice people make. More people die each year from tobacco & alcohol related problems than any other drug on the street. It's become acceptable because that is the way the media has portrayed it.
The ironic thing is being punk means to get away from the norm and yet these punk kids are doing exactly what every other young person does, they go out and get drunk.
There is always going to be a different way of conducting oneself, the irony of the situation was if they wanted to get away from the norm, to be individual, the clean living lifestyle should have been the only option. It is my only option.
X Straight Edge means I am Drug Free For Life X
Article By Phil Wilkey. Contact: straightedgephil@hotmail.com
©2009 Phil Wilkey.
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