First, the history, as told by wikipedia:

Straight edge refers to a lifestyle and scene  that started within the hardcore punk subculture whose adherents abstain from alcohol, smoking, and other recreational drug use. There is considerable debate over what constitutes a straight edge lifestyle, and some adherents may also abstain from caffeine, psychiatric medication and promiscuity. The term itself was coined by the 1980s hardcore punk band Minor Threat. There is a difference between simply being abstinent of harmful substances and actually being straight edge.

William Tsitsos writes that straightedge has gone through three different eras since its creation in 1980.^[2] Associated with punk-rock, the early years of the straightedge subculture are now called the Old School Era. However in the late nineteen eighties the straightedge subculture seemed to drift further and further away from the punk culture. The following era called Youth Crew, presented different types of elements that began to change the subculture. For example, vegetarianism became a major theme along with following the Krishna-consciousness faith (see ISKCON). Youth Crew also led to tension inside the subculture. After nearly a decade of the separation of straightedge-punk from the punk culture, the era called Straight Edge 2000 brought the cultures together without clash.

In the mid-1990s a number of bands advocating social justice, animal liberation, veganism, and straight-edge practices used a stronger metal influence. Bands from this era include Vegan Reich, Raid, Culture, Earth Crisis (whom it should be noted were not a Hardline band), Snapcase and Strife. A number of bands began further combining the above ideologies into a formal organization, borrowing as much from Abrahamic Religions (especially Islam and Rastafari), Anarchism, and Deep Ecology as punk rock. The organization that was formed as a result was known as Hardline. By the end of the 1990s, the formal hardline organization dissolved.

As the mid-90s came and went, some of the more controversial aspects that surrounded straightedge began to disappear. The Straight Edge 2000 Era once again reunited the punk-rock culture. Similar to the Old School Era, straightedge and non-straightedge bands played concerts together regularly. Since the straightedge movement had existed for around twenty years, many members disliked the Youth Crew Era style of music and principles.^[9] Others did not care about Minor Threat or any of the pioneers of the movement.^[9]

^{The Definition as told by Straight Edge Online:}

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.

( I like that definition much better.)

WHAT I HAVE TO SAY:

^{First of all, I don’t consider myself punk, whatever that means. I have never listened to Minor Threat or Youth of Today, never been to the Bay Area, don’t have tatoos of a huge X, and have no care to do so. The whole purpose of this is to put empahasis on what the term "straight edge" means to me.}

^{Of course, today, there is a huge discrepancy over what that means,as mentioned above, there is a long history behind the movement.Even between those who are straight edge, arguments ensue over whether taking a pill for a terminal illness is okay, whether drinking coffee is permitable, and whatnot.}

^{I was first introduced to the term last year when I was hanging out with a acquanitance who I no longer associate with. When I asked her to explain what this straight edge idea was she said she didn’t do drugs, drink, or smoke. If people claiming to be straight edge just say they don’t do drugs, drink, or smoke,it’s understandable to think that abstaining and being straight edge are the same thing in today’s world, no matter how untrue it is. I know in my certain situation, I was excited to think there were people like this, who believed similarly to me, but there’s more to the belief than not doing drugs and I think that’s where people misunderstand, like I did.}

^{My point being, it is imperative to clearly be able to differentiate between what straight edge really is, and what being abstinent of drugs really is.I am not what one would deem straight edge, though I practice similar ideas drug wise and believe in abstaining from harmful practices.Perhaps there should be a term out there for people like us to relate to. I think that would make things less confusing in regards to this matter.}

^{Regardless, my religion is love, my outlook is love, and my hope for is love. So the whole label thing does not even matter to me. I simply don’t want to be bothered to do what I don’t want to do, and drugs are something I would never want to associate with personally. Unfortunately, there are people out there who want to change you, who don’t want you to stand by your morals,so sometimes knowing there are people who are similar to you helps.}

^{There are those who asked me why I don’t associate with people who do drugs. I never even said that. Me choosing to not do drugs is a personal decision. I have friends who drink, and smoke, and some do weed, and they are all good people and great friends.  The fact of the matter is, if an individual is abusing a substance and harming another individual or themselves while under that influence, I do not want to associate with that person if the situation cannot be alleviated. Why surround yourself with a destructive individual? That is not to say that I would not try my hardest to help the person out whether it is a friend, acquaniantance, or even stranger if they wanted the help, but realistically, there is only so much certain people can do for others. Also, there are some people who crave that destructive lifestyle, and sometimes you need to know when to step away.Having some friends partake in smoking and drinking, however, in no way translates to me not hanging out with them. Those are just personal decisions they made for themselves.Because they respect my decisions, I should respect theirs in return, correct?} 

^{Anyway, I felt the need to write and vent about this some.I hope this clarifies a bit about my mindset.}

^{Make someone smile today, then enjoy a cookie!} 

Tags: Straight Edge Edge SXe Sxe Drug Free Anti-smoking Anti-drinking