Straightedge: What Every Parent (and everyone else) Should Know
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It seems like every parent’s dream - a group of kids who swear off of drugs and alcohol, abstain from careless sex, sometimes even refuse to eat meat, take prescription medicine, and take decidedly anti-violence, sexist, and racist positions (at least, politically).
So, what’s the big deal with straightedge in Idaho? If a social movement contends to be against these things, then shouldn’t it be embraced by every responsible member of society? With teen pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, and hate crimes at an all-time high, I wonder if something like straightedge isn’t desperately needed in America these days.
A Short History of Straightedge
The straightedge movement in America rose from the manic punk rock movement of the late 80’s and early 90’s, when nihilism and hedonistic lifestyles were not only accepted, but encouraged. Bands like Mindless Self Indulgance, The Sex Pistols, and Iggy Pop and the Stooges helped to spread a culture of self-destruction, fueled by the “politics of boredom”, as one prominent magazine put it.
Then, something happened. In 1981, the Washington, DC hardcore punk band Minor Threat released the song “Straightedge”, the musical manifesto of a growing zero-tolerance, fundamentalist anti-drug movement. The song, a growing favorite among this group, professed a distinct distaste for all things mind-altering:
” I’m a person just like you/But I’ve got better things to do/Than sit around and [mess up] my head/Hang out with the living dead/Snort white [stuff] up my nose/Pass out at the shows/I don’t even think about speed/That’s something I just don’t need” [edited by author to comply with site standards.]
These words, written by cultural hero Ian MacKaye, outlined the most basic concepts of the new Straightedge movement - in the edited words of MacKaye, “No Smoking, No Drinking, No [Sexing]“.
Symbols and Meeting-Places
One of the more visible symbols of Straightedge is the black “X” - a symbol which has its origins in constant dispute. What can be said is that it is, without doubt, the single-most visible sign to identify Straightedge in Idaho Falls. In Idaho, Straightedge is also prevelant in tattoo parlors, coffee houses, and, of course, the local music scene (particularly the fledgling hardcore scene.)
Straightedge is often expressed using the letters “SXE”. Members will also often incorporate the letter “X” in their name, especially in online settings. For example, if I were a member, I may choose to display my name as “JeremyXPlo” or “xJeremyx”. Bands often use one or more “X” in their name if the topic of Straightedge is at the core of their music.
Straightedge and Religion
Based soley on the movements decidedly conservative anti-drug abuse stance and zero-tolerance tendancies, one might assume that it has its roots in conservative religious circles, which may be misleading. For example, the band XFilesX (the X’s will be explained in further detail later in this article), has a song which states “Real Edgemen Hate Jesus”. So, while Straightedge and Religion may share certain goals and core beliefs, they should not be readily associated with each other.
However, there are exceptions. A few local Straightedge members profess to be Christian, and several major Straightedge bands maintain Christian members such as Throwdown, Stretch Arm Strong, and Comeback Kid. In a fairly wide scope, however, it should be assumed that Straightedge is a purely secular moral and ethical code rather than a spiritual one.
This brings up a question, however. Idaho has an ever-growing Straightedge movement led by, on one side, secular influences, and on the other, a highly influential LDS contribution. So, we can ask the question - is it possible, or at least not entirely reduntant, to be at once Straightedge and Mormon? You decide.
Straightedge in the West: A Root of Peace, or the Spark of Violence?
It may come as a suprise to some, given their seemingly desirable code of ethics, that Straightedge has been categorized as a gang by many municipalities, including Salt Lake City’s Gang Task Force. According to the Salt Lake Sherrif’s office, they divide the Salt Lake City Straightedge gangs into three divisions:
- Straight Edge: The most moderate, they typically follow the beliefs, but may or may not be involved in aggressively forcing them on others.
- Straight Edge Vegans: These Straight Edgers have adopted a vegan lifestyle in addition to their SXE beliefs, and typically abstain from animal products.
- Hardline or Militant Vegan: The most prone to be involved in violence, many of these individuals are also members of Animal Liberation Front. SXE members of ALF have committed $2.5 million in bombings in the Salt Lake area since 1996.
This is likely a good place to make distinctions between “Straightedge” and “Hardline” - like the political belief structure of the same name, Hardline refers to the most extreme, non-tolerant members of the group. They are likely militantly vegan, anti-drug abuse (of any kind), and known to acts of violence. It can be said with confidence that there are at least a handful of Hardline Straightedgers residing in Idaho Falls.
Much of the evidence of a growing violence problem within Straightedge may be anecdotal, as concrete data is often hard to come by and scattered across agencies. One such example comes from Salt Lake City, when in April of 1998, a group of 30 Straightedge members stormed the fraternity house of Pi Kappa Alpha, maced everyone in the house and assualted them with tire irons and other weapons.
Then, in 1999, 20/20 aired a spot featuring interviews and more information regarding the growing Hardline problem. A full transcript is found here.
While acts of this magnitude have yet to reach Idaho Falls, I cannot help but ask how long it will take. Salt Lake City is not that far from here, and many bands tour to and from Salt Lake City frequently. With a growing Straightedge population in our schools and community, and a growing Hardline stance from some senior members of the group, we should all be concerned with the importation of hate and violence from the home of Hardline, Salt Lake City.But
But Then Again …
We should not judge the majority by the acts of the minority. At heart, Straightedge is a positive, healthy choice for some who choose it. While we should not decide to write off a major, ever-growing social movement by the actions of its fringe members, it is important that we not allow this, or indeed any, group to unjustly influence our culture, schools, or our children. I am friends with many mindful, intelligent, and gently people who happen to be Straightedge, and I love these people like they were family. They will defend their beliefs to the death - that is, their own, not someone else’s. While I may not share their zeal for abstaining from alcohol and other drugs, I cannot help but feel a twinge of admiration.
We live in an addicted society - we are slaves to chemicals, drugs, television … the list goes on and on. Isn’t it to be expected that with such a dramatic problem, a dramatic solution is needed?
The key here, I believe, is communication, tolerance, and understanding between the parties at play here. The Straightedge community should know that they will not change any minds by violence, and the non-Straightedge community should learn to respect the choices of others, no matter how much we misunderstand or disagree with them.
Again, and I cannot stress this enough - the key is tolerence. I have had my life threatened by Straightedgers in the past, but I won’t put too much stock in those threats. It takes two to fight, and while I may not agree with these people, I will allow them to hold those beliefs.
Sources Consulted / Cited:
http://toefur.com/straightedge/x/straightedgenewsarticles/straightedgeabc2020.php
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-1-2005-72404.asp
http://www.slsheriff.org/html/org/metrogang/overview.html
http://weeklywire.com/ww/09-21-98/slc_cb_a.html (This is a great editorial regarding the global impact of SLC straightedge. Read it if you get the chance!)
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/cultures/straight-edge-faq/ (A pro-Straightedge FAQ)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_MacKaye
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punk#Origins
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_edge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_hardcore
(Note: I usually shy away from using Wikipedia, but I used these sites to confirm dates / eras / band home towns.)
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Comments
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0 
3 I think its a crock! 9 out of 10 times it’s the kids that pledge this type of that end up being the worst offenders! I’ve known plenty of people who have been associated with these groups, not to mention “PK’s” (preachers kids) who have signed up just to make their parents THINK their not partying, having sex, etc. They were the first ones to light up a joint and down a beer as soon as they were out of the house.
I personally think kids need to experience these things in order to grow. Just telling your kids that its bad and not to do something because its illegal, harmful or whatever is not enough. It’s only going to peak their interest more. Let kids be kids and exerience life. I’m not saying to encourage them to go out and smoke pot, drink and have sex, but don’t give them such a hard time when they do get busted doing one of these things. Discipline and a stable homelife is what help kids grow and learn right from wrong. Not these straighedge groups or above the influence ads you see on tv.
Of course there are limits, but there are limits with EVERYTHING in life. And the sooner WE as parents teach our chidren that, the better off they’ll be.
Most of these groups are religion based anyways….which makes me wonder if Jeremy really knew what he was doing by starting this post? 
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0 0 Straightedge is not religious-based, as mentioned in the article. It grew out of the early 90’s hardcore movement. One of the leaders of the movement was Agnostic Front. Think about the name a bit.
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0 1 Straightedge may not be, but MOST are.
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0 0 Straightedge is not religious based at all. What do you mean “most are” the subject here is straightedge, not who ever else you are referring to.
Side note for those who do like punk/hardcore music NOFX started out as a straightedge band. Not anymore!
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0 0 Is that before or after they wrote “Don’t Drink and Drive (You Might Spill Your Drink”?
I used to be big into NOFX, but I was never aware that they were every Straightedge.
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0 0 Well NOFX was never technically a straightedge band but 3 out of the 4 members were straightedgers when they started as a band but obviously that didn’t last. They even covered Minor Threat’s “Straightedge” which is quoted above on one of their albums. It’s one of the reasons I quit listening to them. They claim to be all anti-establishment and agaisnt selling out but they seem to change what they are into based on the popular fads of the day. They even had a very anti-vegan/anti-animal rights song on one of their early albums and now they are vegan themselves.
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0 0 This is a tough issue that I have not heard much about in mainstream media, so thank you for bringing it up so well, Jeremy.
It’s tough because obviously their goals and ideals are in the right place, but their execution poses problems for extreme behaviors.
I think it becomes a problem when they start subscribing to gang mentalities and group-think actions. Maybe I have misunderstood what Jeremy presented, but it seems a slippery slope from the simple lifestyle pledge to the militant group-think.
What can be done to respect the well-intentioned group and help discourage them from evolving into extreme behaviors?
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1 0 Lord above I never read such a Googled attempt to peghole a group of individuals. We are just people, people.
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0 0 Yeah, but it’s that “holier than thou” attitude that makes this group so controversial.
I can respect peoples beliefs in wanting to walk the straight and narrow, but don’t be hipocrites about it when you’re out with your friends and dont push your beliefs on others in such a militant fashion.
Personally I’m glad I never succumbed to a group such as this when I was younger. At 44 y/o I can honestly say I’ve lived an awesome life thusfar and have no regrets whatsoever. I did my share of partying and casual sex and basically all the things most
young adults do growing up. I’ve traveled the world and experienced things that most people my age never dreamed of.
This is how we grow as individuals. Experience life to the fullest and learn to be your own person and make your own decisions on a variety of issues.
I knew so many kids growing up that had that “straightedge” mentality by abstaining from sex, no drugs, holier than thou look at me I’m better than you attitude. But then by their late 20’s early
30’s at least 80% of them would end up doing all of those things AND MORE once they became “responsible adults”.
I’m not saying go out and have casual sex and take lots of drugs,as a young peron
but “experimenting” when your
at that age is what helps us grow as a person. Sure some people have addictive personalitys and that makes “experimenting” detrimental to their health and wellbeing. My belief is that its healthy and is part of growing up. Making those mistakes and learning from them on my own, instead of what somebody else tells me.
I know when I’m on my deathbed, I’ll be able to honestly say that I’ve lived my life to the fullest and with no regrets.
And I turned out just fine. I have a great career,a wonderful family and great friends.
Straightedge and other types of
“let me save myself till I’m married” groups may work for some, but I’m living proof that its really unnecessary.
I’ll be interested to hear others comments to my reply and would also encourage those of you over 40 to tell me your take on this. Did partying,casual sex and other “no-no’s”ruin your lives or did it help you grow as a person and teach you valuble life lessons.
Learning to make decisions on your own, using common sense,knowing your personal limits and learning from your mistakes is how one truly grows as an individual. Not joining a group such as straighedge and similar types.
(just my opinion)
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0 0 CXAndy - I did not pigeonholes these guys, they did. Straightedge is a highly organized, structured group of people with common symbols, activities, and beliefs. I didn’t make up the term “straightedge” nor did I “google” them up - it’s a movement that’s been going on for more than 25 years now … long before I wrote this column.
We should make a distinction here - the term “straightedge” refers to a specific group of people who adopt the beliefs and activities of the straightedge movement, not simply anybody who doesn’t drink, smoke, or have sex before marriage. In fact, most straightedge beliefs don’t have a problem with sex before marriage, just self-destructive sexual activity. Even the movement’s leader, Ian MacKaye, didn’t have a problem having a beer now and then, just the self-destructive nature of hedonism.
So let’s keep the discussion on topic - this is not about whether or not it’s better to drink or not to drink, but rather the drawbacks of a group of people who engage in group-think mentalities and go to extremes to stand up for their beliefs.
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0 0 You bring up a topic, then you don’t want to discuss it. What exactly was the point of your post anyway? To point out a particular group and their beliefs? Who really cares who Straightedge is and what they do or don’t believe?
I’m with jackblack on this one. There are a lot of groups out there just like this one. Who cares if they want to live their lives a certain way and whether or not some of them follow the rules and others are “militant”? We can say the same thing about any number of groups in and around Idaho. The LDS church just to name one example. I really dont understand the point of your post if you don’t want to hear peoples comments. If it has to do with that group in particular, who really cares? 98% of the people on this site have never heard of them, nor do they care. Yet when other people want to talk about the same basic beliefs this group has you shoot them down for discussing it.
This whole post and your comments towards other make no sense to me!
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0 0 I never said I didn’t want to hear opinions, I said we should keep the discussion on-topic. Many people seem to think that “straightedge” is a blanket term that describes anyone who doesn’t drink or have sex, but that’s not the case. It’s a very specific group, a point I tried to make very clear in the original post. So when we start talking about whether or no it’s okay to drink, we’re undermining my original intentions, which were:
1) Education. Parents should know what their kids are into, and if you’re younger, knowing more about this group can help you understand them (and stay out of trouble).
2) Disambiguation. There are many who lump all straightedgers into one group, and as such, the violent fringe begin to represent the whole, which isn’t right. I hoped to shed some light on the issue.
3) Discussion. Is straightedge something we should hope for in our community or something we should strive to suppress?
ps Would you please point out where I shot someone down who had different beliefs than me? Using quotes would be helpful.
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0 0 Guest1291: a particular topic was brought up, and Jeremy was just trying to keep it on that topic. If you do not care about the straightedge topic, why are you bothering to comment?
We do want to hear people’s comments. Trying to keep a topic on track is not the same as not wanting to hear people’s comments on it. Please do not confuse the two.
I am concerned about the militant aspect of these groups. Is that an overblown mischaracterization, or have these groups had run-ins with the law or attacking innocent people?
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0 0 Joe, to answer your question regarding straightedge and violence:
An excerpt from the aforementioned 20/20 special:
JOHN QUINONES (VO) The reality, says Harmon, is that the most militant Straight Edgers are nothing more than suburban terrorists, rebels with passionate causes. Not only are they opposed to tobacco, alcohol and drugs, many of them are strict vegetarians and staunch defenders of animal rights. Police say some Straight Edgers are so determined to prove their point that they firebombed this McDonald’s restaurant because it sells meat. They tried to set this store on fire because it sells leather. And then there was that bombing two years ago, just outside Salt Lake City. (on camera) This is the headquarters for a Utah the cooperative of fur breeders. Its members are farmers who raise minks for a living. In March 1997, police say six young men tied to the Straight Edge movement allegedly planted and then exploded several pipe bombs here, causing almost $1 million in damages. (VO) Authorities called it one of the most violent attacks in the US in the name of animal rights. In all, more than 40 cases of arson, vandalism or serious assault in Utah have been traced to the Straight Edge movement. Police say it’s one of the fastest growing gangs in the state, with an estimated 2,000 followers, about 200 to 400 of them considered prone to violence. (on camera) Are these kids as dangerous as the Bloods, the Crips? Can they be?
That’s just the start, though. Salt Lake City is at the center of Straightedge culture right now, which I consider a bad thing. Several years ago, a young mexican boy was brutally murdered by two straightedge kids (also interviewed by 20/20 during the segment) for smoking a cigarette. Straightedge movements have bombed several fast-food restaurants in Utah. That’s not mentioning the cases we don’t hear about on the news - I have had friends quit straightedge, and after doing so, we assaulted by straightedgers and had their straightedge tattoos sanded off. There are lists on the internet of people who “break” edge (cease claiming straightedge or drink), which encourage violence against these individuals.
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0 0 That is scary, and that is why I am glad you brought this up, Jeremy. I did not know much about this before your article.
Is there much of this activity in southeast Idaho?
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0 0 I’m not aware of any bombings around here, but there is a lot of underground violence going on. Rich might argue with me on this one, but I strongly believe that militant straightedge has ruined our local music scene. I used to be an active participant in local music - I used to book concerts and wrote a music column spotlighting local music for nearly 3 years. I was also in a really terrible local band when I was in high school.
The straightedge influence in Idaho has homogenized musical taste for everyone - so now, it’s hardcore or nothing. Even if you like hardcore, going to a local show is a dangerous venture! For those who don’t know, hardcore is a musical amalgam of punk rock, metal, and hip-hop, a style which is very basic, aggressive, and heavy. During a hardcore show, it’s common to see a “pit” where the crowd performs what’s known as “hardcore dancing” - which is really very hard to describe unless you’ve actually seen it. Imagine a group of people randomly punching, kicking, spinning, and jumping to a beat and you’ve essentially got it. I’ve been guilty of hardcore dancing, but I’ve seen what happens to bystanders too often - my wife (then girlfriend) was once almost very seriously injured at a show I booked when a hardcore dancing rammed into her and knocked her onto the stage. I personally have had three broken ribs, a jammed jaw, and three broken hands from hardcore shows - mind you, these were essentially self-inflicted, but indicative of the nature of hardcore shows. The broken ribs came from when I saw a band called Thursday many years ago and a kid did what’s called a “mule-kick” (use your imagination) into my chest. The jammed jaw came from being punched in the face at a Guy Smiley show. I broke my hand most recently at a Drop Dead, Gorgeous show.
However, I can’t consider myself a victim - I accidentally broke a friend’s nose at the same show!
But back to the point - like I said, I’ve had my life threatened by many straightedgers here in Idaho Falls, but nothing has come of it. I’ve been told to stay away from shows or I’ll get “messed up”, then attended shows and walked away just fine - but then again, I’m over six foot five and over two hundred pounds … but I wonder what happens to smaller kids when they cross the wrong group?
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0 0 It’s just another case of over zealous pyschotic PETA & Greenpeace types. Just a different name. And what exactly is “underground violence”. That one made me lol! I’ve never heard that one before.
BTW Jeremy….”hardcore dancing” as you put it, is call “moshing”. Slam dancing in what is otherwise known as the “Mosh Pit”.
I would have thought you of all people, who is so into the music scene would have known that by now. And “moshing” isn’t just confined to hardcore or heavy metal and/or punk music. I know its hard to get to any “real” concerts around here unless you go to SLC or Vegas, but I’ve got ticket stubs to hundreds of bands over the years, from Pink Floyd and the Stones, to Chevelle and Nickleback, to Prince and Billy Joel and everyone in between. Moshing goes on at pretty much every concert, unless you’re going to see someone like Brittney Sprears or Celine Dion. (or Prince /Billy Joel)
Any band that has ANY kind of rock sound to them is going to have a “mosh pit”. It’s been going on for as long as I’ve been going to concerts, which is a little over 30 years. Not that I’m dissing you style or taste in music in anyway, but by the list of bands you mentioned, you need to get out a little more and check out some larger acts. I’m sure the local music scene is ok, but c’mon, Drop Dead Gorgeous? 
No offense!
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0 0 There is a distinct difference between “moshing” and “dancing”, though the two terms are often used interchangeably by different genres of music. “Moshing” generally refers to a circular pit, usually involving the participants running around in the pit and knocking into eachother. “Dancing” also involves a circular pit, but participants are more organized. They have specific moves like floor-punching, Jersey-rolling, etc.
To a common observer, it looks like all the same chaos, but dancing is actually very distinctly different from what you call “moshing.”
ps “Underground violence” refers to what we’re talking about - a common undercurrent of aggressive behavior and violence, hidden among concerts and social activities, rather than outright brawling or fist-fighting.
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0 0 Jeremy, I hate to burst your bubble but its pretty much the same thing. It’s not really even considered “dancing”. Its just a bunch of punks running into each other with arms and legs flailing! But whatever you wanna call it, moshing, slam dancing, hardcore dancing or whatever has been going on for many years. But just like everything else someone has to put a new name on for their generation just to be different. Which is fine by me.
I’m not trying to argue with you or imply you don’t know what you’re talking about. But at 25 years old I thought I was right all the time & that I knew everything too. I will give you credit though, you are ahead of the game compared to most your age. So props to you Mr Jeremy!
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0 0 Well, thanks, but Davin and Rich Ronin (both active in the local music and hardcore scene) will back me up on this one. I may think I’m right all the time, but I know I’m right this time.
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0 0 Hardcore dancing is a progression of moshing, but the roots rest firmly in the old pits. Mosh was innovative and unique, therefor warranting the creation of a new dance style. Hardcore dancing is just an eloquent(not so much) variant of the original.
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0 0 Thank you davin. Just as I thought. Same dance different name and perhaps a few different “moves”. Although…I wouldn’t really call them moves! I always enjoyed watching people get the ca-ca beat out of them. (sorry Joe…that might be a euphimism for a naughty word) Seen too many black eyes, bloodied noses and broken bones to bother getting in the pit myself.
Good times!
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0 0 Evidence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe8bsinJAfY
Old school mosh mixed with some new school “hardcore dancing” and the world didn’t end… well at least not until the last part of the video.
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0 0 LOL, he called Nicleback a “real” concert.
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0 0 Bazing. But really, let’s try and stay on topic. For real.
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0 0 Dude thanks for telling me all about “those guys”. I just meant that your batch of data has nothing to do with the day to day basics of being straight edge. It is clear that your information comes not from experience but from looking up info about straight edge and compiling it. I live the way I do by choice, but don’t commune with other “straight edgers”. You do not notice me by my dress when I walk downtown. It’s because of prejudice and stereotyping that I keep my ideas to myself. It’s the isolating way that you refer to “them” that disturbs me. I recommend writing about your own interests, and try as hard to expose the dark underbelly of yourself before you set to judge the world.
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0 0 CXandy:
Instead of getting all huffy and defensive with Jeremy, how about you write about your perspective on your lifestyle? If you feel like he, and others don’t understand, then provide some insight for us all. Feel free to leave out your general accusations of us judging you and our supposed ignorance.
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0 0 Amen.
If you think you were grossly misrepresented, register and write your own perspective instead of attacking. Put your mouth where your mouth is.
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0 0 CXandy - I agree. If I’ve misrepresented edge, then correct me. Like I’ve said many times, I have many friends who are or used to be straightedge and I’m sure most of them would deem my article pretty accurate. If you disagree, point it out, don’t just make vague blanket statements.
ps I don’t think there was any actual data in my original post. Data is unprocessed information. I cited sources to avoid plagiarizing information taken from various sources.
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0 0 Sorry. No problems in accuracy, to be sure. No misrepresentation. I was just using “data” in a little bit too broad of a sense. We didn’t mean to attack, it’s clear that you love several edgers as if they were family so obviously you mean no harm. Great article, well informed, insightful and pertinent. I particularly enjoyed your question regarding being mormon/ straightedge. Same dif, right? or is it? Glad to see you bring up the subject.
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0 0 Wow, step out for a day or two and you miss out on some vigorous discussion!
First, regarding the debate about moshing v. hardcore ‘dancing’, Jplo was right on. I have been in many mosh pits (Korn and Rammstein at Family Values One was my favorite!) and that was fun.However, I won’t go near the people dancing at a hardcore show, as I don’t like getting kicked in the cojones or punched in the face (both have happened to me, but I am apparently a fast learner)
Second, I must have missed the original question about the Mormon v. Staightedge thing, but I would submit this. Mormon kids are under immense pressure to conform to the will of their faith and family and to have ‘good’ friends. In addition, there is significant pressure to dress conservatively and have conservative haircuts and manners. Most sXe do not dress anywhere near conservatively (more black, anyone, and can I borrow your Lamb of God shirt?) nor do they have conservative hair or mannerisms. This is not a problem for them, but most edgers that I know that are or used to be LDS were peer pressured out of continuing to attend church because they refused to conform the social pressures of their faith.
So, while Mormons and sXe may both decide to not drink, smoke, or have sex, that is where the similarity ends.
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0 0 I’ve been thinking about the whole mormon/str8edge thing. I suppose it would be a pretty easy transition. Some who are edge weren’t always. If you have abided by the book, you don’t have the day to day struggle of someone who’s lived otherwise and seen the stupidity of it all. Mormonism is so extreme that if the energy that gets put into “the church” were to shift, say in adolesence, into straightedge, the mental state could be extreme.
I challenge anyone to live “clean”- no alcahol, no drugs, no meaningless sex if not none (No, I’m not going to define meaningless:)) for one week. Or if you have the cajones (canI say that here??) for one month. Keep a diary of your perceptions, and see what you think about your friends doing these things. Go to a bar sober and see who really gives a damn.
JeremyPlo I guess I offended you, my appologies. The main thing for me is I think you write well and like to see the products of your mind at work more than your word processor. It would have been as helpful and saved some time to have written your personal bit and provided the links, which are ample and first generation, unrethought and organized information. Spend a week on the edge, keep a journal. Write about what you NEED to. Spend a month and rewrite the article from the inside.
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0 0 So, we can ask the question - is it possible, or at least not entirely reduntant, to be at once Straightedge and Baptist/Catholic/Methodist/Hindu/Muslim? You decide.
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0 0 A. Just because the government says it doesn’t make it true. Hardline is a movement in itself taking ideas from straight edge but a seperate movemnet all togather. In its most current form many members of the hardline movement are muslims.
B. No group of kids ever stormed a frat house. The fight occured in front of a restaurant nearby and was pretty even numbers of kids. And think about if you can imagine FRAT kids being innocent.
C.Hardcore not straight edge stemmed from bands like Agnostic Front who as a band were never Straight Edge.
D. Think about this if someone came up to you and through if your face what would do? If everywhere you went people who had cousins whos friend knew someone who “you??” beat up came up to you and got in your face about it waht would you do? If every news paper in the the country relies on sensationalism to sell copies or grab readers uses something you believe in as a basis for there article on “Terrorism in the USA” what would you do. 90% of what you hear is and the rest may be true but with half the story left out. If you were a big ball of testosterone and you came up to a 15 year old kid to sweat him about a story you heard and then he put you down. Would you tell that to the news or would you say 30 kids jumped you for smiling at them. Give me a break just think about the things you hear and use your brains.
Ill tell you what also. There is violence in Straight Edge and Hardcore. When you have strong convictions and self pride you don’t let people bully you. As a human being you should never let anyone bully you. Stand up for yourself. So in 99% of the straight edge related fights i’ve seen in 14 years that has been the case and in 98% of that 99% I would fully condone and or participate again.
No story is ever one sided.
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0 0 I couldn’t agree more with what “xxxxxxxx” said. And you mention that “Throwdown” was a christian band? No, they are not. Take a last bit of their song forever…”For myself, for my friends, for my family…Straight F***ing Edge”. Also, you list the band “Mindless Self Indulgance” as a band from the late 80’s to the early 90’s? are you kidding? First off, it’s Indulgence, with an “e”, second their first cd came out in like 99. So I think you do just get your information from “google”. I know my response makes it seem that i’m coming down on you, but this is not my intent. I love that you are giving straightedge a chance, most who are unfamiliar do not. Where I’m from (Huntington Beach, California, or known as “The OC”) you can be EDGE and not get into too much trouble. Yeah sure, there are fights here and there, but since when have fights not broken out at places where there is drinking? I hear of, and see fights at bars all the time. The only ones you hear of however, are ones where a straightedge person has been involved. Anyways I’m ranting, you probably won’t even read this because before X’s post, this had been dead for a couple months, so yeah, make a comment on what I said we can have a little discussion.
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0 0 I don’t know if someone has already said this:
If we want to talk about the history of straightedge, and especially about violence and straightedge-ism, we should remember that Ian Mackaye himself bowed out of the hardcore scene because he saw that the movement had become more about the violence than the ethics.
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0 0 One thing that seems to be overlooked in all these posts is the fact that many of the events that have ‘defined’ straight edge as a negative force are almost a decade old now.
I grew up in salt lake, in the aftermath of murder and bombings and so on and so forth. Got into straight edge when I was 15, back in january of 2000, right after the murder. The movement here in salt lake was at that time not the most positive force in the world. However what is little known (about salt lake anyhow) is that straight edge and the hardcore scene (they are nearly synonomous here) has since taken a turn for the positive.
The point I am trying to make is this and I know that it has been touched on already, is dont be so quick to discourage your child from straight edge based solely on a dusty 20/20 report.
Here I am at 23, been straight edge for almost 8 years, never been in any trouble for violence and I lead a very positive, optimistic life. Straight Edge was the catalyst for the positivity in my life and kept me from venturing down a dark road many of my friends did.
These are just my opinions and experiences, you can take em or leave em. Take care.
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0 0 Not that I condone fascism, or any -ism for that matter. -Ism’s in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, “I don’t believe in The Beatles, I just believe in me.” Good point there.
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0 0 This article really made me happy. Straightedge is CONSTANTLY bashed by Fox News and other major conservative news sources, and finally this is a breath of fresh air.
Thanks a lot!
-Eric
XXX
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0 0 I think it is uncalled for that you would censor Minor Threat’s lyrics when they mean so much to so many people.
I’m straight edge and I’m offended.
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0 0 Just to be clear, site administration did not edit those lyrics in the original article, the author himself self-edited the lyrics “to comply with site standards”. It’s the idea of what’s appropriate in appropriate settings. If they are important to someone, please Google one of the other lyric lines and you will find the entire song lyrics. It’s how I find songs when I only know one line.
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0 0 i couldn’t see myself being a hardliner, but I think what they are doing is a good thing,crazy as that sounds lol
and I agree with whoever said that about the lyrics.
You shouldn’t change them just to fit the standards of some site or some other crap. Those words started something that is so huge and important to so many people, I don’t think anyone has the authority to change them.. I don’t really thing the minor threat boys would wanna change em’ either. (=
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0 0 I think this is a dead end because the author edited themselves, but since you bring it up…
Do you think it is okay for a radio station to play alternate lyrics or not? Do you think it is okay for broadcast network television to air edited movies during prime time? Do you think it is okay to swear up a storm with your boss when you disagree? These are other examples of altering your words in particular circumstances.
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0 0 Good point Joe: “censorship”, even self-censorship, is determined by the facts and circumstance of each particular instance.
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0 0 I don’t care so much for censorship, although I do understand and respect its place in our society. I can understand it on a website like Joe’s because it’s family oriented. I can understand it during prime-time 7-10pm on local networks. What I can’t understand it censorship on cable tv and radio. There will always be stations you can tune to that WILL censor their content for those that want it, but why make all stations censor their content? I mean, I can’t stand watching a movie on like TBS, USA, SPIKE, networks because they completely mutilate the original movie, it’s really not even worth watching. Same with radio, if you don’t like the music that’s playing than “change the channel”!
I remember back in the day when cable first became available to the masses. Everyone was all excited because their wasn’t so much censorship and networks were free to show movies or programs without chopping them to bits, and they did. Then it started becoming more and more popular and little by little people started complaining. I think most of it started back in the mid 80’s when Tipper Gore started her campaign towards censorship of music. TV soon followed and before long, the only station that wasn’t censored was HBO and “pay channels” and even they didn’t show many R rated movies until after a certain hour. Every once in awhile you’ll be able to catch a movie on USA or SPIKE TV, even Comedy Central where it’s uncut and unsensored, but it’s usually after 1am. I think we’ve gone too far with all of it. There are plenty of radio and tv stations out these days, that if you don’t like something, “TURN THE CHANNEL”! Not to mention all the satellite radio and tv stations, and now with MP3’s, download what you want to listen to, if the radio or tv is too much for you.
This is why I’m against a city wide network of surviellance camera’s. We’ve already got so many restrictions put on us as a society, where does it end? This is supposed to be “a free country”? Not so much! Our freedoms are becoming less and less as the years go by.
RE: Joe’s post on legalization….sure, I’m all for it. Tax it and take out the dealers and the street punks selling on the corners. I can tell you there would be a lot less crime because of it. But it’s not going to happen. Not in this day and age. You can’t even blow your nose in public with a camera watching you or someone judging you. We’ve become a nation of scardycats who just want to stay locked away in our homes “safe and sound” from the evils of the world. It’s a sad state of affairs I tell ya!
So while I agree with some forms of censorship in certain “family friendly venues”, I think censorship as a whole, has gone too far.
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0 0 007, that comment #46 was 100% right on the money, imo.
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0 0 Thanks Neme! 
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0 0 Don’t make comments about Straight Edge if you know nothing about it. You can’t pull a whole philosophy from a bias article like this. It’s b******t. I’m hardline straight edge and I’ve never got into a fight or hurt anybody for not believing in my morals and not making the same ‘above the influence’ decisions that I make, and will always make. You have no idea what straight edge means for kids who are born into this horrible world or drugs, alcohol, STDs, and violence. Straight edge isn’t a way to get a bunch of kids with good morals together in a gang. It’s a personal decision that one makes to stay true till death. It’s not something people do until they are 21. It’s a life long commitment, a promise to yourself, to your children, to their children and their children’s children that you will do your part in making this world a better place. So don’t express your opinion about something you don’t know about, and I promise not to express my opinion about you wearing your grandmother’s bras on weekends. It’s alright, that’s your decision and I respect it. This is America, do what you think is right. And just to inform you, ’straightedge’ isn’t a word. It’s straight edge. And there is no such thing as a straightedger or straight-edger. I am just someone who is straight edge and lives above the influence. Straight edge is not a gang, and it is not a movement, and although I do not support many people who try to make it what it is not, that is their personal decision and I respect it. You got your opinion in, and so did I. Nice first amendment practice! Go to http://www.myspace.com/seeingthroughsobereyes to listen to my music and email me at STSE@musician.org to contact me.
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0 0 Seth Simonelli wow standing up for a movement you know you might be one of those Straight edge “members” but there are those who are making a bad name for you guys i support your dessision on pretty much pro-life but those who are more then good values and try to force it on people for there choice is BS if you can do what you want i can to i can make that choice you would have a lot better luck if you tried to make you point to the Straight edge milita and not to people with familys and kids trying to live there life just like you would like to do there was a good documentary on National Geographic Channel called “Inside Straight Edge” and it talked about the “movement” and when through the 5W’s on every thing… whatch it and really see though our eyes on how “you” look to us
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0 0 I think comment #10 said it all.
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0 0 Great points. And thanks for actually reading my response. I didn’t think anyone really would. Well, I have seen the movie and didn’t really agree with a lot of what they said about straight edge people. But they have their bias and so do I. Most of my straight edge friends are liberal, but that doesn’t make me a liberal. I am extremely conservative actually, but no one really knows that. And just so you know, people where I’m from who are straight edge usually don’t fight and don’t force themselves on others. And if they did they would be no friend of mine, but I haven’t come across even ONE bad apple from my group of friends in my location. But I have met a few straight edge kids who thought that fighting smokers and drug addicts was the best way to make change, and I HAVE informed them all that change doesn’t come about that easy and that fast, and that they need to instead take a nonviolent approach. I’d like to think that most of my friends also have a Gandhi/Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. mind frame concerning straight edge. I just think that most people who call themselves straight edge do not know anything about it. Most people don’t know the past and everything that has happened. A lot of people are fakes and wanna-bes. Most people who say they are straight edge have no idea who Ian Mackaye or Minor Threat even are! And if those people knew anything about straight edge they would know that Ian Mackaye said that fighting was stupid and wrong. I kind of rambled but you get my point I think.
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0 0 What I’d like to know is….do you really feel the need to be part of a “group” or organization such as “straightedge” in order to be a good person?
I think not. But your attitude comes off that way by saying all your friends live like Ghandi or MLK. Be your own person and stop trying to live the way somebody else says this is the way you ought to live. If you have good morals and values, you won’t need to join an organization that tells you how to live. Nobody is perfect, not even Ghandi or MLK. So I suggest you get a mind of your own and stop trying so hard to emulate somebody else.
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0 0 Looks like your “group” has made a real good impact on you. Wow!
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0 0 wow, stse, you really are quite. . . articulate. Ditto to CR67.
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0 0 Articulate…. or ….. illiterate? Gosh they sound alike. Funny how kids resort to name calling and swearing when they can’t thing of anything intelligent to say.
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0 0 Hey, 007, I heard you were looking for me. I was out of town (will be regularly away in the next month, on work). Anyways, I’m really curious here, and I am asking in the most polite way I can, do you realize that you came off a little condescending and judgmental in your comment #53? Here is the particular section that I thought was odd:
“Be your own person and stop trying to live the way somebody else says this is the way you ought to live.”
This is you telling him the way he ought to live…”Be your own person” and calling into question his choices to be straight edge. Yet you go on to tell him to stop trying to live the way somebody else says…
Now, I’ve never heard of straight edge before I saw this post (you know I’m an old fogie) and I don’t know if I agree with the philosophy, but I am a proponent of letting someone live their life their own way as long as they don’t infringe upon others’ rights.
I understand that you disagree with his philosophy and I think it’s appropriate for you to express your opinion, I just wonder if you realize how you sounded.
Just in case you’re wondering, I’m not defending him, he took the low road in responding back, so of course he came off sounding much worse than you did! If he disagreed with you he could have continued the debate but I guess he didn’t feel he needed to keep trying. His loss, IMO.
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1 0 WOW!!!
Straight Edge…a big round of hands for a bunch of good kids creating a group to be a part of! There is no reason why u need a “gang” (where people put others down for not thinking the way they do) to be a good person like staying drug, alcohol, tobacco, and sex free…
Sure, there are those straight edge members who dont put others down, but how come they dont stand up for the nonmember people and tell the “xHARDLINERSx” or “xMILITANTSx” where to stick it!?!
Just for those Hardliners and militants out there…there are real gangs, crews, sets, etc. that will literally kill you just for u wearing the X, same for the straight edge members!
If there is another reason for being straight edge besides being drug, alcohol, tobacco and sex free, or for a “movement” that was started by A musical band…then i would like to know!
To me “Straight Edge” is another bad azz name for the Mormon Mafia!!!
…and How is becoming a part of this “movement” being a GOOD THING? This was said by a “Harliner” SIERRA…please tell me!
And I would like to add my 100% support for Legalization of CANNABIS…not the chemical drugs. Plus my wishes for uniting “gangs” (Bloods, Crips, North and South,etc.) across the COUNTRY…because i believe that it doesn’t matter where u come from, what street u live on, morally who u are, we all have a single belief and that is RESPECT! there is no need for discriminating or unneeded violence.
i am not expressing hate for the Straight Edge FAM…just a belief that it is not in need to EXIST.
To finish off…i believe that parents dont have to worry about their kids becoming sXe unless they see negative change…in violence, or making others feel bad that they do not believe the same. (which was the ORIGINAL argument)
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0 0 i myself am part of the straight edge movemnet. i have been straight edge since i was eleven and i am now twentyeight. it hurts me to see people misunderstand the values and goals of the movement. most of the people i hang out with are edge. i am in no way part of any militant group and don’t wish to be considering i will only use violence if it is needed. i do give militant straight edge groups a lot of credit though, because thy ey go out and do what mkost choose not to. i am not advocating violence but i belief that in some circumstances, violence or harsh actions are the only way to get your point across. like or dislike these statements but i believe its true. i think that fighting for something like not being a drug addict or killing yourself with lung or liver cancer or even STD’s is a great thing. i also believe that people fear what they don’t understand and that is why i think people need to look into things before they discriminate. i experienced a lot of hate when i was in high school because i was blatantly straight edge. im now rambling off of topic, i just think that because some are militant, that doesn’t mean we’re all bad. every tree has a few bad apples, but that doesn’t make the entire tree rotten.
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0 0 You’re saying that you’re not “militant”, but you just said that:
“i think that fighting for something like not being a drug addict or killing yourself with lung or liver cancer or even STD’s is a great thing.”
This is what I’ve been told this movement is all about, pounding the hell out anyone that does anything that the Straight Edgers believe is “wrong”, and your post kind of says that to me. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
If by “fighting” you mean working to enact laws, maybe trying to change things by running for office, or volunteering to help addicts or other people with problems, I’m all for it, but it doesn’t sound like that’s the kind of “fighting” we’re talking about.
If I’m on the wrong path here, please clarify, because that’s just what I see.
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1 0 well… straight edge isnt a group… its a title… stating that you live above the influence, straight edge is not a clan, gang, group, or anything along those lines… they dont have a Straight edge meeting every month to talk about what they want.. they
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0 0 I love Ian McKay, Minor Threat, Fugazi, and a lot of the ’straight edge’ music that is out there.
But the idiotic violence, and straight edge dogma is not cool.
Regardless of the violence, the man who originally coined the term “straight edge” was one of my childhood music heros. This man has fought before congress, and has campaigned on free speech and musicians rights, and I respect his drug free lifestyle greatly!
I year ago or so, I posted a link at one of my blogs about Ian McKay. Just a short, but sweet post, with a video attached.
(probably shouldn’t link it here, I’ll have the link police after me.. But oh well)
http://utahpirateradio.com/2008/07/04/minor-threat-documentary/
Thats my tribute to Ian McKay. Peace!
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0 0 Here is one of my favorite songs of all time, sung by Minor Threat “the straight edge band”..
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0 0 I’m wondering if Seth even read my article or if he has a standard reply saved on his hard drive saying “people who don’t know anything about straightedge shouldn’t talk about it.” I’ve heard that so many times, it’s a drone.
After re-reading my article, I’m convinced that I know enough about the movement to talk about it. What a relief.
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0 0 lol. well wether u guys like straight edge or not were not goin anywhere, and second i like this article alot but in alot of ways straight edge is a violent police force. most straight edge militant only fight people who do bad things when needed to fight. i live in ohio and at shows theyre as many drunks at shows as there is straight edge. and we get along fine most of the time.
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0 0 Anthony,
I don’t have a problem with someone restraining from pre-marital sex, and drugs. I do have a problem with the dogma and the violence.
If some straight edger has some violence to bring my way, they will surprised to find that I am not some uncapable stoner that is easy prey.
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0 0 Most straightedgers aren’t violent slu. Like anything in life there are a few bad apples in every group, Funny that you of all people would single out those bad apples and assume all straightedgers are this way. But that’s your MO, your against anyone that’s against dope.
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I think Jeremy is exactly right when it comes to the minority coloring society’s opinion about the majority. I have a couple of friends that are straightedge, and while they abstain from violence (as well as alcohol, drugs, and promiscuous sex) they do admit that here in I.F. there is a small group of Hardliners (Jeremy’s term, not their own) who do resort to violence, and often.
I appreciate the distinction between straightedge and hardline. Perhaps that is something that the straightedgers themselves could push in order to distinguish themselves as nonviolent.
Would I have a problem if one of my children came home and told me that they had decided to become straightedge? No. As long as they understood that I will not tolerate violence as an outlet for their beliefs. If my child chose to ’share’ his straightedge viewpoint with others through violence, then I would have to beat him. (NOTE: the last sentence was intended as tongue-in-cheek, I would not really beat my child in order to get him to stop being violent…)
Tolerance is indeed the key. While some may look at my friend, with his numerous tattoos (including an “x” on each hand and “sXe” on the back of his neck) , many piercings, and affections for loud and aggressive music and black clothing, they should realize that he has values that he is strongly committed to. People should understand that he chose to live his lifestyle because of internal feelings and a desire for personal committment. Not to mention, your daughter is probably ’safer’ with him than with the local highschool quarterback.