Hateedge

   The expression "Hate-Edge" has nothing to do with hating anybody; but rather the disapproval of the phenomenal term known as "straight-edge." I am not opposed to the people who have decided to not drink, smoke, or use any drugs. Whatever floats your boat is fine with me. My problems lie in the straight-edge aura and the always-evolving abstract tenets surrounding it. But, like with all things, we must start at the beginning.
    The straight-edge philosophy started off as a positive youth movement to turn kids from drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and in some cases sex. In retrospect, it was a great idea with an even more profitable purpose. But along the road to nirvana this dream has become mangled and now is just a mockery.
    At one point, the edgers were in the minority. They were the proud outcasts trapped in a world where the sociological ideology of "fitting in" and "being cool" co notated one to drink, use drugs, and have sex. They fought back against this mainstream belief. Like I stated,they were the minority. They were. That is no longer the case. Straight-edge has become just as trendy as drining or using drugs. In fact, some people pronounce themselves as straight-edge because they think it makes them cool, rather than agreeing with the values and ideas it professes. In short, straight-edge has become exactly what it tried to oppose.
    The only thing bigger than the growing number of edgers is some of thier egos. There is nothing wrong with taking pride in something, but being straight-edge is not that great an accomplishment. It isn't that difficult a task. It doesn't make you any better a person than those who are not straight-edge. Just look at the militant straight-edgers. But that's a whole other article. Not all edgers think of themselves as better than non-edgers, but a large number do. Having pride in the fact that you don't smoke, drink, etc. is perfectly fine with me. But by claiming straight-edge is a form of bragging. Consider this, remember a time when you did a noble act: maybe you gave up your seat on a bus for an elder, gave someone advice, or helped out a friend in a tough situation. It's perfectly normal to be proud of yourself for doing this noble act, but you shouldn't walk around bragging about this act. It makes the act seem less glorious. It's good to be proud of yourself for not smoking, drinking, drug use, etc.; but bragging about it by proclaiming straight-edge makes it seem less noble. As I said before, straight-edge is a trend. The easily influenced generation of kids get into the edge scene because they see other memebers displaying pride with their association. Whether it's an "X" tattoo or whatever, the kids deem this pride as cool and hop on the band wagon. Be proud of yourself for who you are; not by what scene your involved in.
    No matter what the circumstance, claiming to be straight-edge is a huge commitment. By committing oneself to this miniature cult, you are also restricting yourself from experiencing so many other things in life. I am neither condoning nor suggesting that one should experiment with drugs and/or alcohol. But the truth is you would be shutting yourself off from many experiences; some good and some bad. Besides, the basic meaning of life is to experience life, right? I know some people who are curious and want to try drinking but don't want to give up their straight-edge merit. It has become dogmatic like religion and almost as closed minded.
    Plus, with most edgers it seems to be a life time commitment; why else proclaim the X if you planned on giving it up in the future? The trouble with that type of commitment is that you many change your mind sometime down the road. Then what? Could you just abandon your pledge to the edge? That wouldn't say much about your character. There is a simple solution. Avoid this problem (as well as the others mentioned) by not proclaiming to be straight-edge. If you don't smoke, drink, use drugs, or have sex; then say "I don't smoke, drink, use drugs or have sex." I know it's easier to just say your straight-edge rather than forwarding your ideas. But don't claim to be straight-edge. Don't label and restrict yourself. Leave that to the people who do the stereotyping and discriminating (it is, after-all, their job and their damn good at it.)
    Like it or not straight-edge is a trend. I can only hope that it will, like all trends, die out in time. I also hope that this article made some of you rethink your straight-edge proclaiming ways. Remember, I'm not against not drinking, smoking, and drug use. I'm against using the term straight-edge. Until the day we abolish that term,, the Hate-Edge continues.......
                                                                                                        Sammie K