Straight Edge Subculture (sxe)
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The straight edge subculture is a clean lifestyle movement born in a “just say no” era, which has received little attention since its origination in the 1980s. Subcultures, like social movements, engage in conflict over cultural reproduction, social integration, and socialization; they are often especially concerned with the quality of life, self-realization, and identity formation (Habermas 1984-87; Buechler 1995). The basic definition was created during this time in a hardcore-punk song of the Washington, DC, band Minor Threat. Ian Mackaye, the lead singer, wrote a song about living a life without drugs – the song “Straight Edge” included the six legendary words “dont drink, dont smoke, dont fuck” and this gave a name to a new movement amongst the youth of that time and preserved its fascination and attitude up to the new millennium (Irwin 1999).
The importance of their song, “Straight Edge” was not only that it was the first time the term was used, but also that it epitomized the movement by encompassing many of its philosophies. The first two lines of the first and second verse, “Im a person just like you, But Ive got better things to do,” manifests that unlike previous punk ethics which called from a huge revolution, the straight edger emphasized the individual. Instead of a call for a revelation, they preferred to improve on what they already had. The movements prominence lied within individual factors and choices. They lyrics of “Straight Edge” enforced the self-critical view of the straight edgers and their longing for purity as a human.
The late 1970s and early 1980s held major frustration in the punk scene worldwide because it was mostly about sex, drugs, and rock n roll, and participants got intoxicated or stoned at every opportunity they had. This began to break down the solid foundation of the strengthening of political power among individuals that created the punk scene. People realized that being “punk” was becoming a mainstream ideal and decided for themselves to resist against the organized chaos and peer pressure. They believed in getting and staying clean in order to save their power for the fight to reach their beliefs. This straight edge (sXe) view on life deliberately changed style to counter the mainstream look and brought a renaissance to the punk scene and created a new kind of subgroup, as well as music now known as old-school hardcore.
“Straight edgers” are universally against anything that is involved with self-destructive behavior, but that which constitutes self-destructive behavior is constantly debated. Being true to ones beliefs is the heart of what divides the straight edge subculture from others, as well as among themselves. The original philosophy was simply no drinking, no drugs and no sex, but throughout time it has grown, changed and splintered off into several different directions. Straight Edge is antithetical to the existing drug culture by offering an abstinent identity; while abstaining from alcohol and drugs are universal standards of this subculture, sex, vegetarianism/veganism and political issues are interpreted at different levels (Irwin 1999). These differing opinions on what it takes to be straight edge has caused division throughout the group.
Those who follow the straight edge subculture try to demonstrate “clean living” in most aspects (if not all) of their lives. However, no specific details have been given and therefore this lifestyle is widely open to interpretation.
The Straight Edge scene is now nearly 25 years old, predating most of the youth who have adopted that identity. In the United States, the typical sXer is a white, middle-class male, aged fifteen to twenty-five (Haenfler 2004:409). This could be because of the geographical areas that the Straight Edge scene is most common, just like the rap scene is more common in disadvantaged, black, neighborhoods and cities.
With different people incorporating different ideals into being straight edge, todays definition of straight edge is completely dependent upon the person defining it. As far as sex goes, some people believe in not having any until marriage, some just defy from promiscuous sex, and some do not believe sex has anything to do with being straight edge. The overall reason for this is to show respect to others and to not see them as things or objects.
A vegetarian is one whos diet consist of any food other than meat and a vegan is a more strict vegetarian who does not eat meat in addition to not using any products derived from animals, such as fur, leather, milk, etc. These lifestyles are widely integrated into the straight edge subculture, sometimes to the point that some people do not consider a non-vegan person to be truly straight edge. Some vegans consider the hormones added to meat to be drugs, making it impure. Animal rights activists have also become a part of the straight edge subculture and they do not consume animal products solely due to their opposition to harming animals.
More often than not, political issues are strongly integrated into the straight edge movement. These include, but are not limited to, abortion, womans rights, and minority rights. Their activism usually includes protests, boycotts, and the publication of local magazines addressing their opinions on these issues.
Hardline is a lifestyle usually considered to be separate from straight edge, and in some ways, it is a step beyond. sometimes described as militant, hardliners are vehemently straight edge and usually will not associate with non-straight-edge people, viewing them to be on a lower level.
Many true straight edge followers feel commercialization threatens to rob them of their strength and credibility by drawing people attracted to the fashion style more than the lifestyle. spreading the message is part of the movement, and loss of respect for those claiming to be straight edge could hinder that practice. Unlike grunge and alternative, two distinct fads combining style and music, straight edge is much more than a fashion trend. Those calling themselves straight edge are swearing to be substance free for the rest of their lives, which many would consider an admirable pledge for todays youth. However, there is the ongoing possibility of fashion and music styles overshadowing the initial message of substance-free living, therefore cheapening the movement.
Although it is an important part of the movement, being straight edge goes beyond listening to hardcore punk music. It is the strong belief in a clean lifestyle that gives the movement its intensity and strength, not listening to a certain band or wearing a certain t-shirt. There is no typical attire for straight edgers, their appearances are