Originally Published: Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Written by: Matthew Field
Umm…
We’ll assume we all know what edgemen don’t do. (However, even that can be a contentious issue in some circles.) Yet defining the whole thing gets tricky. Ask ten different edgemen to define straight edge, and you’ll probably end up with ten different answers. Then go ahead and ask them at ten different points in their lives. Things are likely to get even more screwy, and don’t believe anybody who says that straight edge has never meant different things to them over the years.
Asking other people to define straight edge for you is easy, and it won’t get you far. Looking for easily memorized and easily meaningless straight edge jibber jabber on the internet isn’t much better. Chances are, whoever’s written it is probably just as wrong as the next guy or girl. After a while, you’ll notice that the most vocal tend to be the most wrong when it comes to things like this.
Here’s an idea. Define what straight edge is to yourself. But watch out though. The worst thing you could do would be to let straight edge define (and in some ways limit) who you are. Always try to keep it the other way around. Don’t let it define you, and don’t limit what it can be to you.
| Comments |
| Written by XCarolynX on 2005-07-14 19:21:14wow i def. agree too! |
| you disagree with such nonsense Written by venona spymania on 2005-03-08 17:00:02Straight edge was definately not something to be punk rock. If you stepped away from your self induced flights of fancy for one second you would realize back when the straight edge movement started lots of punk rock kids got fucked up and said screw the man. These people made an educated well thought out decision to step away from the general theme of the scene they loved and think for their personal health and safety. They looked past the bigger picture to realize being aware and on task to handle the important things in life you to need to be self aware and able. You yourself as a person need to set an example of who you are and what you speak. Actions speak louder than words. Making the concious decision to better yourself is not puritanical. Puritnical would be to wear clothes covering most of your body, read religious scripture, and never step away from the light of your christian god. Being straight edge is a personal statement, not some punk rock cliche to stick it to the man. |
| There’s more to it than all that…. Written by Guest on 2005-02-13 16:28:47“Punk Rock reasons” What the fuck is that. Straight Edge is a lifetime dedication to not causing harm to your body. Ya know…Life Preservation….Its seems to me that neither one of you have been straight edge very long…And we cant forget promiscuous sex is also along with no drinking, no drugs….etc. I grew up with Earth Crisis, they lived down the street from me…Listen to their messages maybe you’ll then know what ur talking about. |
| I disagree. Written by angiefromtheblock on 2005-01-15 02:34:44Sorry, but I think this is a little off. Those are all well and good reasons not to drink or do drugs, but. . . To me (and to a lot of the old folks), straightedge means you don’t drink, you don’t smoke, and you don’t do drugs for punk rock reasons. NOT for puritanical reasons. I believe that the current consumer culture that bases adult socialization on intoxication is bullshit, and I’m not buying what they’re selling to me. I refuse to support an industry that captializes off of destroying the lives of its very consumers, period. (This is also where veganism got tied in there, for me). And, I’m probably not gonna make any friends by saying this, but I’d almost be willing to say that someone who fucking ferments their own wine and drinks it is more edge than some 13-year-old who wears Xs on their hands for puritanical reasons/Jesus/Earth Crisis/fashion/whatever. |
| Written by Guest on 2004-12-18 12:30:25well put. |
| I agree Written by sXedevotchka on 2004-12-15 18:24:09I agree with you 100% |
