Decisions on becoming ‘Straight Edge’, subsequently becoming viewed as hardcore, entering a tagged minority, probably along with a few hypocrites, ultimately for the lust for the label and ‘the coolness’. Part 1
Iv noticed on tumblr, and of course the over all media, i dont see much ‘happiness’ portrayed anymore, no all out hippie, peace, loving, psychedelic shit.
I have however noticed A LOT of darker shit emerging, not so much emerging, just fully developing on the surface, now this is just one persons observation, and im sure some people (for example vampire weekend fans, a band i love) who are imersed in one angle of pop culture might disagree with me, but for the most part, look at what is loved in society, or at least most talked about, celecrities in drug overdose situations and horrible break ups, the news is a fucking show of lifeless sadening shit, fucks sake hanah montana turned out to be a hoe, amy winehouse did end up in rehab ( i hope), your favourite artists movies sexually, angrily inspired im sure.
got a bit sidetracked. Joining a minority group, known by the majority, in this case ‘Straight Edge’ a branch of punk, a scene which im sure most would have some familiarity to, is often seen as being a bit rebelious, sometimes stupid, outcast maybe? but this new view we have on these group may make the individual feel an awesome rush, as if they have escaped some sort of boundaries of ‘moden society’. now im not one to judge but i certainly have my own views (which remain rather open) and opinions, and i think these little groups are fucked.
when you look at the big picture straight edge is actually fairly large in the scale of things, your groups of social friends, your aquaintences and the difference between that group (the majority) and your close friends.
from my experiance, groups are always stressing their individualality, it may not always be so obvious but small things like excluding others, viewing others in demeaning ways and ultimately making assumptions before youve even met a damm person just because they are wearing a fucking burker … we are always setting ourselves aside from others.
this has to be done in groups. i have had zillions of thoughts thrown around my head, but only someone truly pious, or extagtverted could get away with living in their own mind wihtout the concern of others. humans come in packs, no matter how extream and different we feel we are always going to sought out to a group to help express and ultimately project our views. take bias for an example, we may express our ideas, 9 times out of 10 they may be heard, achknowledged and put forward, but if that 1 time we are disagreed with we are likely to fucking reject the idea, we become comfortasble within out ‘grouping’ and dont want to test those boundaries.
dont get me wrong i know people do, thats how we fucking change, thats how people make these decisions to ‘become straight edge’ they just get fed up. but is transporting to another ‘more extream field’ any better? honestly? we are still falling into the same shit storm, there are still walls.
lets look up Straight Edge, shall we? Wikipedia:
Straight edge refers to a subculture of hardcore punk which was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. In its simplest form, straight edge is a philosophy of staying clean and sober: meaning refraining from using alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs. For some, this extends to not engaging inpromiscuous sex, following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and not using caffeine or prescription drugs. The term was coined by the 1980s hardcore punk band Minor Threatin their song “Straight Edge”.
Since the late 1970s, straight edge has been a part of the punk scene. During that time, a wide variety of beliefs and ideas have been incorporated into straight edge including vegetarianism, animal rights, communism and Hare Krishna beliefs. In many parts of the United States, straight edge is treated as a gang; however, recent studies suggest that only a small minority of the people who refer to themselves as straight edge are violent.
What ar the benefits of joining this culture, it is notified for its nejections of certain behavious and substanged, and its ‘gang’ grouping. ultimately encouraging self worth. however today the controvertial aspects of these teams has died down, it is more an idea planted in everyones minds of a certain persona they are able to achieve by completing a list, whether we act on it, thats up to you.
But what is the point?
Lets look back why are we joinging these groups?:
My point is isnt it better to stress our own beliefs than let someone else tell you what to believe, how to dress, what to fucking eat, who to listen to?
dont forget you speaking out is probably on your way to some demise.
but not, we cant do that can we, we have to be a part of something, something bigger, something with leverage. i understand that, i do. look at gay political activist harvy milk, he was fed up about how gays were being treated, he did somehting about it, he got a following, peoples voices were heard and he worked towards ‘his goods’ for the better.
its hard for me to explain and hope for you to grasp right now, i understand he himself had a following etc, but it was something fresh something new, they wernt doing it for the lable, the were doing it because it was a passionate believe of theres to stop gay predjudice and homophobia from being so dominant in our world. not because someone told them it was the right thing to do, sure it gained leverage and a lot of people jumped on the bad waggon, but it bought hope and a true sense of faith, planting refreshing ideas in the minds of the scared.
isnt it better to stand up for something you believe in, even if one person only hears what youv got to say, you have made a difference, i dont know, there is something so old and stale about straight edge. when we could be out following our own.
Shepards.
i understand some people cannot think for themselves, no matter how hard they try and want to. not sure how to wrap this up
