Tell us about you? What do you do for a living? Do you have any pets, hobbies, pet projects?
‘m a first time momma to a 16 month old, Laurel Clover and a Quality Specialist for a Chemistry/ Microbiology Lab. I’m a science nerd- I love being out in nature, reading up on new scientific discoveries, and watching TV and documentaries about Evolution, Geology, Medicine, and animals. I believe everyone is born a scientist, but eventually rules get in the way of curiosity.
Favorite straight edge (or non-straight edge) bands? If you have links, please provide them!
It’s always hard for me to pick favourite bands, but some with straight edge members would be Minor Threat, H2O, AFI, and Bad Religion
What is your definition of straight edge?
Not drinking, smoking, doing drugs, or partaking in anything that could poison your mind or body. To me, negative thoughts and people are poisonous so I try to do what makes me happy and live in my happiness to keep up my PMA and sometimes that’s cutting people out of my life temporarily or permanently.
Where do you see the straight edge scene today?
I feel like it’s a big community with arms wide open now. When I was a kid and would say I was straight edge, I feel like other straight edge people were judgy like “oh yeah, then why do you listen to this band and your friend drinks and I saw you eat meat.” But I don’t know, maybe it’s still like that amongst younger people, but older people in our community want that community feeling.
There’s an ongoing debate on whether one can be straight edge without being a part of the music scene, what’s your thoughts on this?
I think that you sort of have to be a part of the music scene to have the label. My husband does not drink, smoke, do drugs etc. but he does not label himself as straight edge because he doesn’t have that hardcore music scene connection. When we went on our honeymoon to Scotland people were trying to shove drinks at us left and right, I rejected them by saying “I’m straight edge” my husband just said “I don’t drink.”
What are some funny/common misconceptions people have about you being straight edge?
I think one misconception about me being straight edge is that I don’t want to associate with people that are not straight edge. I have honestly rarely had friends or even met people in real life that are straight edge, so if I went around judging people and making friendships based off of being straightedge I’d pretty much be an island.
What are some challenges you have faced when interacting with other people who are also edge? If you haven’t had any challenges, tell us some challenges you’ve faced when interacting with people who are not edge?
People think that I am judging them because they drink or smoke or whatever when really I do not care unless someone is blowing smoke in my face or something.
Is your diet influenced or informed by your choice to be straight edge i.e. organic, antibiotic infused meat, genetically modified foods, vegan, vegetarian?
No, I have enough food allergies to keep me on a strict diet. I tried to be a vegetarian for a while but lost too much weight- I’m certain I did not do it right- ha!
What’s your straight edge story? Was there a key moment that made you realize straight edge is the way you want to live your life? How old were you? How did you find out about straight edge, was there someone in the community that introduced you, or were you introduced to it through people/bands, etc? What drew you to it?
I never partook in anything that was against my straight edge definition, and one day in high school I was telling someone that and they were like “oh, you’re straight edge…” and I was like “…yeah” not entirely knowing what I just agreed with. but then I put two and two together with Minor Threat. I think I was about 15 at the time. I’ve just been the same ever since. So I am straight edge for life, since life.
Define what straight edge means to you? Has this changed over the years?
Being straight edge for me isn’t the absence of anything, but rather the retention of self preservation and self respect. there was a short period of time sometime in college where it was about me being able to say “I don’t do that” with my nose turned up in the air. But now it’s just something I don’t really have to think about, it’s just as much a part of me as having yellow skin or brown eyes
Do you consider yourself an activist? What is/are your cause(s), and how have you been working to advance them?
I feel like being an activist is a heavy title and not one I deserve to carry. But I have had to stand up for myself as a Black person and a female my whole life. I have been actively working on projects for Black Lives Matter this year, just trying to spread awareness and facts about stories as they arise and sharing petitions and raising money for the cause.
What, if anything, keeps you committed to the straight edge lifestyle?
It’s not so much a commitment to me as just life as I know it. I have zero interest in not being straight edge.
What is something you didn’t think you would struggle with by claiming edge?
The judgment and rejection from people. It’s mostly because they think I am judging them and they get insecure though.
What you do for stress relief instead of drinking/drugs, tips for peer pressure?
I tend to not get stressed, I’m a very laid back person. My stress is usually caused by illness, and at those times I just sit quietly and think.
How was it being straight edge in this pandemic?
Perfectly fine. I have created a home that I love and chose a partner I get along with, so everything is great. I have been able to watch my daughter take her first steps and increase her vocabulary in this time so I’m pretty grateful. I have been working from home and have not really left the house in over 225 days. I’m going to start working from the office in a couple of days, so my bubble will burst soon.
Have you ever considered breaking edge? What were the circumstances, and what changed your mind?
No, never. I just don’t see the attraction.
Have you ever stopped being edge for a period of time, and if so why? Did you regret doing so? What brought you back? If you have come back, how do you view your commitment (i.e. for life, for now)?
Nope, straight edge for life, since life.
How do you explain your lifestyle to others outside of the scene? Do you find it difficult? What’s your elevator pitch?
It usually happens when people start talking about something annoying like craft beer, hahaha, and they just go on about oh this one taste good and blah blah blah, and I’m the only one not talking in the group and I’m just like “oh, I don’t drink” and people just say “good for you!” and carry on with the annoying conversation. It’s typically the same with smoking or doing drugs, “oh, I don’t” and that’s the end of the conversation.
