straightedge

About straight-edge

   Straight Edge is a more philosophical offshoot of the punk movement, a
   reaction to the hedonism and self-destruction that characterised punk.
   The basic tenet of the philosophy centres around the issue of
   self-control. The goal is to regain as much personal control over your
   own life as possible. sXe is the only youth counter-culture to actively
discourage drug use, alcohol use, and casual sex.

   Straight edge is a lifestyle centred around personal development and
   well being, while encouraging fun and togetherness. sXe is not just
   about being into contemporary punk music acts and being against drugs.
   It goes deeper than this. The movement wishes to attract people away
   from dependancy lifestyles centred around drug habits (legal or
   illegal) and unhealthy and exploitative eating and general living
   habits common in modern cultures. sXe is not dogmatic, there are no
   hard rules, these are for you to decide. Nobody should dictate like
   the police, or preach an ideology like the church or state.

   The term itself is believed to have been coined by the band Minor
   Threat of the punk rock/hardcore scene in the early '80s. Their singer
   Ian MacKaye eschewed the nihilistic tendencies of punk rock, promoting
   instead the simple (almost simplistic) philosophy of "don't drink/
   don't smoke/ don't fuck."

       Out of Step (with the world)
       by Minor Threat, 1981

      (I) Don't smoke
       Don't drink
       Don't fuck
       At least I can fucking think

       I can't keep up
       Can't keep up
       Can't keep up
       Out of step with the world

   In the 12 years since the demise of Minor Threat, these simple beliefs
   have transformed the minds of scores of teens worldwide. Increasingly
   disenchanted with societal ills, young men and women adopt the
   straight-edge doctrine as a blueprint to better first themselves, and
   then the world in which they live. While the original definition of
   straight-edge only included the rejection of mind altering substances
   and promiscuous sex, modern interpretations include a vegetarian (or
   vegan) diet and an increasing involvement and awareness of
   environmental and political issues.

Where did the name straight-edge come from?

   According to legend, the drummer for Minor Threat [Jeff Nelson], one of
   the first bands to preach the "stay punk, stay clean" ethos, ...was
   drawing a poster for a show using a wood ruler. He commented to his
   bandmates that the ruler's straight edge was a metaphor for their
   lifestyle.

       Straight Edge
       by Minor Threat, 1981

       I'm a person just like you
       But I've got better things to do
       Than sit around and fuck my head
       Hang out with the living dead
       Snort white shit up my nose
       Pass out at the shows
       I don't even think about speed
       That's something I just don't need

       I've got the straight edge

       I'm a person just like you
       But I've got better things to do
       Than sit around and smoke dope
       'Cause I know I can cope
       Laugh at the thought of eating ludes
       Laugh at the thought of sniffing glue
       Always gonna keep in touch
       Never want to use a crutch

       I've got the straight edge

What's with the Xs?

   A common practice at all-ages punk shows was to mark minors with an "X"
   on their hands so they couldn't buy alcohol. As the straight-edge
   philosophy grew popular, punkers who were older than 18 but didn't
   drink for ideological reasons started to mark themselves with the X in
   a show of solidarity.

What is sXe?

   sXe is really just an acronym for straight-edge with the X thrown for
   good measure.

   If you have more stuff on the history and origin of the use of the
   term "sXe", share it.

Is straight-edge a religion?

   No. Although sXe embraces some of the moral values held by most major
   religions, sXe'ers don't necessarily believe in a God. There is no
   organised church or worship service. However, some sXe'ers are members
   of organised churches, temples or mosques where they feel that the sXe
   beliefs fit in.
   Straight Edgers say their life choices stem from a desire to be true to
   themselves and not from any religious beliefs.

Why do kids get into straight-edge?

   Some common reasons people decide to become sXe include:
1. wanting to control their own lives
2. seeing what damage drugs can do to oth
3. being raised in an alcoholic family 4. identifying with the sXe
values and 5. being with people who have the same values.
4. "Another reason kids get into sxe is cause they think its the cool
thing to do."

How to join the straight-edge?

   You don't join straight-edge, you take on the straight-edge. You
   just get involved in the scene and start thinking for yourself.

   The idea is to closely examine your own life, identify what factors
   influence your thoughts and behaviours, assess what impact they are
   having on your life and rid yourself of those factors which you deem to
   have a negative impact on your life.

About the music

   Straight-edge grew out of the hardcore/punk scene and the music plays
   an important role. The music is fast, powerful, with angry and
   thoughtful lyrics. It forms a vital outlet for rage and sadness
   against abusive and/or dysfunctional political, societal and family
   structures.

Who was the first straight-edge band?

   The Teen Idles, an early 80's Washington, DC hardcore band, and
   something of a precursor to Minor Threat, can arguably be called the
   first straight-edge band.

Why are there so many rules?

   Straight-edge isn't about rules. It's a philosophy about being in
   control of your own actions and making decisions for yourself. As a
   result you'll choose not to smoke, drink, sleep around, eat meat but
   these choices may be different to different people. The hallmarks of
   straight-edge remain hardcore/punk music and don't smoke, don't drink,
   don't fuck.

Why is straight-edge so narrow minded?

   In the mid to late 80's, straight-edge hardcore reached a zenith,
   especially in the greater Metropolitan area of New York City. This
   atmosphere led to the creation of Gorilla Biscuits, Bold, Wide Awake
   and arguably the most prolific band of the era, Youth of Today. While
   the bands of this period did much to popularise straight-edge, they
   also contributed to its closeminded and antagonistic aspects. The
   attitude between straight-edge and the rest of the world often took on
   adversarial tones during this time, largely becoming "The positive
   youth crew versus people who drink, smoke and/or do drugs." Many people
   dislike straight-edge and its adherents because of such intolerant
   views.

   In a 1995 interview with the Thicker fanzine, Ian MacKaye denounced the
   stringent attitude prevalent in the culture he is widely credited with
   founding. "The whole straight-edge thing for me was never about this
   kind of puritan lifestyle, where I was supposed to be leading the
   masses towards a better tomorrow," he said.

Why can't we have unity within hardcore/punk?

   straight edge only makes sense in the punk community. like my
   favourite t-shirt says: "if you are not punk you are not straight
   edge". so i hate what most of sXe is today: kids just being sXe with no
   bounds to or even hate towards the punk scene, kids listening to bad
   metal bands and acting like macho idiots instead of fellow punks having
   a sXe lifestyle"

.    What is a poseur?

   According to my dictionary a poseur is "a person who poses for effect
   or behaves affectedly". It is someone who superficially wants to be
   part of a scene. So an example is someone who wears their Xs but still
   drinks beer.

Why is there so much violence in sXe?

As stated by a fan:
"I am a passive sXe. I believe that fighting is more sissy than
   talking it out, because when you compromise, you have to give
   something up. Figthing is just plain selfish because you dont want
   to be proven wrong. I never want to fight anyone. That is why I
   always carry a gravity knife with me, so If someone fucks with me,
   than I can wipe them out quickly (although i hope I will never have
   to!) The hardcore dancing can be violent sometimes, and that may
   have something to do with it. Also, since we take things so
   seriously, then we dont want to fuck around, and we get to business."

.
What do you guys wear?

   "Shirt: any old HC band shirt in good condition. It isn't cool to
   wear new shirts, you know. Look for these bands Project X (my
   old band), Youth Of Today tour 88' shirt, Judge Schism logo, Bold
   shirt with Crippled Youth logo on back, Chain Of Strength "true
   till death" design, NFAA "NO" design, Wide Awake 7" design, and
   anything from 80-83. Thrasher shirts are rad, too.

   "Shorts (for the summer): This is crucial! They have to have cargo
   pockets, and usually tan is the best. But nothing beats a
   good pair of camo shorts. But don't be a dirtbag and cut pants,
   buy them as shorts. Make sure you wear a belt, too.

   "Pants (for the winter): Another crucial item! I hardly ever wear
   pants, but when it comes time, it has to be either tight-ish (not
   too tight, though) blue jeans, a little rolled at the bottom, camo
   pants, or cargo pants(tan, of course). As always, you want a belt
   with them. Don't cut the bottoms either!

   "Shoes: Alright, you have some choices here. Air Jordan's are
   probably the best because you can do the highest kicks and dives
   with them. Yo, check out Matt Pinkus on the Judge lp, you think
   that's possible with any shoe? Other hightops work good too, but
   make sure it's Nike! I like Chuck Taylor's too. For those of you
   who prefer lowtops, it's either youth crew Nikes (check out Al SSD
   on "get it away"), or Vans low tops (black, blue, checkered, or
   two-tone). I have seen some with the New Balances, and they are
   pretty comfortable.

   "Jacket: Man, this is important! Either Stussy or Nike windbreaker,
   or a Varsity Jacket.

   "..Don't forget the hair! Crew cut, Alex Pain, or shaved, it has to
   be neat! Gel is optional. If you have an X Swatch lying around, put
   it on!"