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I'd have to agree with vecc on that one. It definately sounds like a trend or a fad, not a cultural revolution.

*3T

All the best music was written by people who were smacked off their tits at the time, if you'll excuse the expression. Live 'straight edge' if you want to. It'll most likely do you some good. If you want to live a different way, nobody's going to take much notice. It's a personal thing, so just live and let live.

And if you're making decisions on whether or not to try something out, based solely on fear, then you're probably an idiot.

••

LOBF: there are only a few occasions where I will put X's on my hands. 1) Going to a show, i.e. a concert. 2) going to a club, where they play non-xXx type music. and 3) for special occasions.

I would not label it a cultural revolution, as it is not the right lifestyle for many people. I have been there, tastes the din of alcohol on my brain, drugs in my lungs, and I learned to hate it. This is my way of showing the world "I AM POISON FREE" I would label it a movement though, much like the punk rock movement. It is part of this said movement, but because of its distinct differences, I would say it is more of a brother movement. People that are my friends that are sXe tend to have the same qualities as me: stubborness, high moral conviction, short fuse, and value their friends VERY VERY much. Im actually glad for once this hasn't turned political. BUt to joust it in that direction, I would like everone to know one tid bit of the sXe lifestyle that the majority dont know. We are all familiar with the term Vegan, are we not? Many sXe peope that are known as "Hyper Edge" are vegan, as to make sure the least amount of toxins are ingested. They also tend to be very active with animal rights groups. Now, you all know my die-hard conviction of Conservative ideal, and that the Vegan diet is very closely related to the Democratic/Liberal/Green side of politics. And even though you know my political ideals, I am best friends with people who would label themselves as Liberal, and Green party. I respect them more than my fellow conservatives, for the challenge they have undertaken in the Vegan diet. SO DONT GIVE ME SO MUCH CRAP FOR BEING A REPUBLICAN. that is all, carry on now.

ShinobiGatakana, on Jan 18 2005, 11:22 PM, said:

WHAT WAS THAT, CAN YOU SPEAK UP?

What he didn't mention was the fact that a lot of straight edge kids get into fights, very often with weapons such as knives and bats. Many times, these kids will hang around clubs and such, and wait until someone goes outside to have a smoke, then assault him.

Everyone knows that drugs are way more destructive than violence.

The straight edge kids are the only people who would make me ever support jocks (or "bros").

3vil L337, on Jan 19 2005, 04:05 AM, said:

The difference between the two is time, and at least one revisionist historians opinion.

*reguards topic with interest and vague amusement, shrugs*

If people want to broadcast the fact that they don't drink/smoke/have gratituous sex then... go them. Whilst I'd not go quite as far as Swithich, I'd have to say that it's far better to look at something and say "no thanks" than to be forced into doing it by peer pressure. I certainly know that I got given a hard time by friends because I never wanted to drink/smoke/do drugs while I was growing up, and I also know that I don't regret never trying 2 of the 3 (mostly through seriously regretting experimenting with the third).

Having said that, branding yourself as anything - grunger, goth, straightedge... whatever - can also be very dangerous. Firstly, it's the basis of discrimination, of prejudgement - that because 'x' isn't 'straightedge', you're somehow better than them. During the 70's in the UK, there were all sorts of problems between people who had branded themselves/had been branded 'mods' and 'rockers'. Where I grew up, there're problems between 'townies' and 'grungers'... don't even start me off on the whole 'goth' thing. It's all 'hate' born out of some kind of mindset that another 'branded' group is somehow worse than you... hate born out of intolerance, if you like.
This kinda leads onto the idea that you /must/ fit into one or other of the groups. When my sister was at school, if you were a member of the 'popular' group, you were either a 'grunger' or 'townie'... or a 'nerd' (not a good thing, apparently) - my sister didn't want to be any of them (she wanted to be herself - more metalhead than anything), and she got into whole heaps of problems because townies called her a grunger, and grungers called her a townie... just because she wanted to be herself.

In conclusion: fine, pronounce yourself 'straightedge', write 'xXx' on your hand - it's no different to my wearing a wooden fish on a leather thong around my neck to show that I'm a Christian. Just don't get caught up in the whole "man, it's a movement thing" stuff, because that can start to promote some rather narrow-minded thinking. It's a lifestyle choice - like being vegetarian or TT - not really a 'revolution' or 'movement'.

Just my 1.1p (2¢, roughly)

-jdp

I've never had to label myself. I've found that a label to describe me would be so large as to not be attacheable to my body, or if I did try, I could sail to Uni.

This post has been edited by Talon Karrde: 19 January 2005 - 07:38 AM

Jon Pearse, on Jan 19 2005, 11:51 AM, said:

Just for the record, I was using an extreme example to oppose an extreme opinion put forward. It's not like I really think that all people who drink are going to die of liver disease. I just don't like hearing people who can't resist peer pressure try to bring others in by calling them scared. Just to clarify.

Vec: I never meant to imply that you're scared to do that stuff. you're just not ready yet.

Shinobi: I know what a "show" is. thanks.

Anyways, coincidentally, I plan on cutting back on my drug/alcohol intake after this saturday (there's a party I've been planning on attending for a long time on saturday). I've noticed a significant loss in my memory, and I believe it's a result of the substances I put in my body.

I am not, however, going to go out and label myself "straightedge". I'm just staying away from things for a bit. If you decide you want to live a straightedge lifestyle, do it. Don't put Xs on your hands and don't go "I'm straightedge!" or anything. Just be it.

Keep in mind, also, being an obvious part of a particular group can have repercussions. I wear boots, suspenders, a polo shirt (on occasion) suspenders and I have a shaved head. I am percieved as a skinhead. While I enjoy it, I am harassed by older skinheads who like to pick on young skins.

this may be a problem. When you separate yourself from the masses you get targeted. Unless you're prepared to take a beating for being straightedge (you probably will. And it'll be some drunk punk, or something. I'm assuming you go to the same kind of shows as myself), then I'd hold back on the X's and the labeling.

lotsofblackflags, on Jan 19 2005, 11:01 PM, said:

That sort of implies that doing drugs, etc. is a natural step that everyone reaches. I think that while that may be true for some, many others are "ready" but choose not to.

You will most likely be placed in a situation in your life where you are presented the option of doing drugs, and you take that opportunity.

Just as a comment...Shinobi, you drew X's in Chem I gave you a hard time remember?


I'm sorry I'm not "ready" to kill myself.

lotsofblackflags, on Jan 20 2005, 12:10 AM, said:

I've had many opportunities, and have passed them by save one, when I tried alcohol to being buzzed, and found that sufficient. I have no desire for drugs or alcohol.

Given my friends, I can't see a time when I'd be presented with drugs etc.

Hah...Yea
Totally

You will live long lives. I would about bet the ranch that you try drugs or alcohol at some point.

You know I love you LOBF, I wasn't trying to imply that you implied something.

lotsofblackflags, on Jan 19 2005, 10:01 PM, said:

Nah, I'd revise that to separating oneself from the masses and acting like an ###### while doing so. I'm an extremely recognizable and unique person in terms of physical appearance, yet I've never recieved any crap about it both because I draw no undue attention to my appearance through my actions or by aligning myself with some sort of social movement. The key is not caring about one's social standing or alignment with some sort of group ideal; don't give people reason to group you into a category, regardless of whether the assigned role is good or bad in your mind.

-Pufer

lotsofblackflags, on Jan 20 2005, 05:38 AM, said:

I tried a beer at 8. Since then I've been wondering why anyone drinks that stuff?

My prefered label for myself is Human Being (and occasionally anarcho-socialist which is how I've decided to describe my political views).

I have no idea who any the bands you listed are and don't really care to find out.

As for drugs and alcohol I doubt I'd try it. My body is messed up enough from my really bad asthma that smoking anything would probably trigger an attack that would kill me.

I gag even being near the smell. Although I like the smell of wine. It's probably cuz I'm Italian...Heh..I like the way it swirls as well.

I have so many alchoholic relatives that Im not going near the dtuff. I might like it too much.

*3T

I have an entire half of my family as alcoholics and I too have horrible asthma. I don't see how you guys can say that you'll never go near the stuff. kinda ridiculous.

I don't see how you can say people are destined to, just as ridiculous.