Straight Edge Youth: Complexity and Contradictions of a Subculture - Research Paper Example

Straight Edge Youth: Complexity and Contradictions of a Subculture Introduction Straight edge, usually represented byX, is a subgenre and subculture of the hardcore punk. The adherents of this subculture refrain from use of tobacco, alcohol, and other forms of recreational drugs. It is direct reaction to hedonism and sexual revolution associated with punk rock. For some, the subculture extends to refraining from engaging in promiscuous sex, using caffeine or prescriptions drugs, or following a vegan or vegetarian diet. The term was originally adopted from the song “Straight Edge”, a song by a hardcore punk band called Minor Threat. The subculture emerging from the American punk rock scene of the 1980s, it has held its ground and made very crucial inroads on the wider terrain of the American youth culture for over the past two decades. Primarily known for their militant opposition to drug use, drinking, and their commitment for vegan and vegetarian lifestyles, the straightedge youth have rarely received scholarly attention. This essay will therefore analyze the straightedge subculture in details and the role it plays in the American society. History of the subculture Straight edge emerged from the hardcore punk scene of the mid-1980s. Since its formation, a variety of ideas and beliefs have been associated with members of this subculture. The beliefs include animal rights and vegetarianism (Gansauge, 2009). While the common aspects of the straightedge youth have been refraining from alcohol and other forms of drug abuse, there have variations on how to take far the interpretations of living drug-free and abstaining from intoxications. There have been disagreements for the rise and living for straight edge. Politics in straightedge vary considerably. The politics of this subculture vary from revolutionary and left-wing to conservative (Haenfler, 2006). By 1999, straightedge had gone through three main eras since its formation in the early 1980s. Another subculture, Bent edge, came in to act as a counter-movement to straightedge. Members of this counter-movement to straightedge were from the Washington D.C hardcore scene and they were feeling frustrated by the intolerance and rigidity in the scene. The second era came in mid-1980s and it was referred to as youth crew era. During this era, the influence that music had on the straightedge scene was high. In 1990s, the militant straightedge had become well-know as part of the broad punk and DIY scene. By mid-1990s, straightedge had spread to from the United States to other parts such Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, South America, and the Middle East. By the start of 2000, only a few groups of the militant straight edge still existed (Wood, 2006). The X symbol The letter X is mostly used as the symbol of straightedge. It is often won as a mark at the back of both hands, even though it can also be won on other parts of the body as well. Some of the followers of this movement have taken a step further to incorporate the symbol into pins and clothing. The symbol has its origin traced back to the brief West Coast tour of Teen Idles in 1980. The members of the band were scheduled to play their band at the San Francisco’s Mabuhay Gardens. However, on their arrival the management of the club discovered that they had not attained the legal drinking age. They were therefore denied entry to this club. As a form of compromise, the management of the club marked members of this band with letter X, to serve as a warning to the staff to this club not to serve members of the band with alcohol (Kuhn, 2010). When the band returned to Washington D.C, it suggested for the same system to be applied in local clubs to see that teenagers take part in musical performances in the clubs without being served alcohol. The band later released a record called “Minor Disturbance”. The cover shot of the record had two hands marked with X in black on the back. The black mark with an X symbol later became associated with the lifestyle linked to straight edge. It is used in major drinking establishments to take note of those who have not attained the legal alcohol drinking age (Haenfler, 2006). Most of the bands later used the symbol X on the covers of their albums and other paraphernalia in various ways. Fro example, the cover of the album “No Apologies” by Judge has two crossed gavels forming an X. Other objects on which the symbol is common are baseball bats, hockey stick, and shovels. A slight variation involves a trio of Xs and is mostly used on tattoos and flyers. However, using the symbol to fight use alcohol and other drugs sounds ironic since three Xs are commonly used in television shows and cartoons to signify alcohol or poison. The symbol is sometimes written in the middle of the abbreviation of the term “straight edge.” The symbol then becomes “sXe” after the abbreviation. By analogy, the abbreviation of the hardcore punk is written as “hXc” (Thompson, 2004). Staying true to the X According to Wood (1999), youth subcultures mainly rely on elements of style, such as dressing, music, rituals, and demeanor to create the identity of their group and differentiate themselves from other youth groups. As noted, the most readily-visible and significant style element of the straight edge subculture is the ritual of putting the black marker of X on the back of both hands. Originating from the mark given to the minors at all punk shows by bar staff to ban them from consuming alcohol, voluntary “Xing up” became not only an act of distinction from those who consumed alcohol, but also a symbol of solidarity between members of straight edge. Some individuals wear the symbol of the X on a beaded necklace as a means of educating others about the straight edge. Some people, who do not have an idea about what the symbol X symbolizes, tend to associate the symbol to some kind of pornography. The members of straight edge therefore have to explain to them what it symbolizes (Wood, 2003). Most members of this movement refrain from displaying the X on their bodies due to some reasons. The importance of the act is relatively arbitrary. Some members of the movement claim that they do not want to display the symbol because they do not ant present themselves better than the others. To some, they feel that they do not need to put on the X since they live in areas that are virtually oblivious to the subculture and wearing the X would be a hollow act. They believed that if changing the minds of people does not come through the statements printed on t-shirts and the Xs on their hands, then it comes through internal reflections and discussions. Most of straight edge youth, just like the larger punk movement, are always reluctant to rely on material elements of style to signify them as a subculture. Some subcultures that rely heavily on style elements that are easily marketable style elements such as music and fashion often experience commodification. They consequently lose their symbolic meaning. Straight edge message Straight edge youth who are often attracted to hardcore music are mostly attracted to bands that tend to communicate messages they find parallel or provocative to their own beliefs. When discussing issues related to straight edge with the community, some individuals often refer to the lyrics of the bands to highlight their points (Haenfler, 2005). Bands produced by straight edge are usually differentiated by fans through the kind of atmosphere they create at shows or the causes they champion in their bands. Fro example, Earth Crisis is one of the dominant voices in the vegan straight edge movement, mostly singing about vivisection and animal rights. In their song “Degradation,” they describe how racism has degraded the hardcore scene in New York (Williams, 2006). One of the bands that have received the loudest criticism is the “Youth of Today.” The hardcore fans have strongly criticized the band because of its aggressive intolerance towards those that do not share their views. This band has been criticized for being notorious for picking fights with members of the audience, whom they see smoking or drinking alcohol, often urging others to join in. Their only band that has been praised by fans on their website is the “Gorilla Biscuits.” It is the only band produced by straight edge that does not participate in the judgment and superiority over non-straight-edge audience members. Similarly, the H2O is well-known for its peaceful, female friendly with a relatively laid-back atmosphere. Straight edge core values Most of youth subcultures have taken up the task of offering a path of resistance to the mainstream, adult, or the “straight” world. Therefore, straight edge is not different. Straight edge is basically about being yourself in a world that is constantly pushing you to conform. Straight edge is unusual among the youth movements in that members of this movement seek for a more positive world and self-actualization through being against alcohol consumption and abuse of other drugs. The group combines progressive and conservative values to come up with a distinct form of resistance to the dominant youth cultures (Haenfler, 2004). Despite the personalized meanings, the identity of this movement holds for adherents. Members of straight edge view their abstinence as a challenge to all. The group offers a visible means of separating oneself from most youth and taking a collective stand against youth culture and forms of youth subcultures. In addition, for many, the positivity and resistance to alcohol and drugs are symbolic to larger resistance to other problems facing the society such as sexism, racism, and greed. Abstinence is the personal manifestation of the larger commitment to challenges in the society, in other terms, the ills of the society (Lahickey, 1997). Like the adherents of the previous subcultures, straight edge constructs a view of the world as mediocre and unfulfilling. However, they believe that the society encourages people to medicate themselves crutches such as drugs, alcohol, and sex to forget about their problems. Straight edgers strongly believe that the association of hippies, punks and skinheads in the mentioned acts has blunted their efforts to offer meaningful resistance (Gansauge, 2009). With claims that many people use the substances as a way of getting rid of their problems, straight edge encourages its members to avoid escapism and confront such problems with a clear mind. They also need to create their own positive and fulfilling lives. Conclusion Even though many people have been against the role played by the straight edge youth, the movement plays a crucial role in shaping the society. Despite the resistance from the general public, the movement has made efforts to resist drug and substance abuse in today’s society. With more of such movements, sanity can be reclaimed in the society. References Gansauge, B. (2009). The Punk and Hardcore Youth Subcultures in the USA Since the 1980s. New Jersey: Books on Demand. Haenfler, R. (2004). Rethinking Subcultural Resistance Core Values of the Straight Edge Movement. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, Vol. 33 (4), p. 406-436 Haenfler, R. (2005). Collective Identity in the Straight Edge Movement. The Sociological Quarterly, Vol. 45, (4), p. 785-805. Haenfler, R. (2006). Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean Living Youth, and Social Change. New York: Rutgers University Press. Kahn-Harris, K. (2006). Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge. Chicago: Berg. Kuhn, G. (2010). Sober Living for the Revolution: Hardcore Punk, Straight Edge, and Radical Politics. Oakland: PM Press. Lahickey, B. (1997). All Ages: Reflections on Straight Edge. New York: Revelation Books. Thompson, S. (2004). Punk Productions: Unfinished Business. New York: SUNY Press. Williams, P. (2006). Authentic Identities Straightedge Subculture, Music, and the Internet. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography. Vol. 35, (2). P. 173-200. Wood, R. (1999). Nailed to the X’: A Lyrical History of the Straightedge Youth Subculture. Journal of Youth Studies. Vol. 2, p. 133-151. Wood, R. (2003). The Straightedge Youth Sub-Culture: Observations on the Complexity of Sub-Cultural Identity. Journal of Youth Studies. Vol. 6, No. 1, p. 33-52. Wood, R. (2006). Straightedge Youth: Complexity And Contradictions of a Subculture. New York: Syracuse University Press. Read More