Preview

Straight Edge: Subculture And Social Movement

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1106 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Straight Edge: Subculture And Social Movement
Caleb Nelson
Professor Overfelt
Social Movement Essay
March 31, 2013
Straight Edge: Subculture and Social Movement
In the early 1980’s, a hardcore punk band called Minor Threat wrote a song called
“Straight Edge”. In this song, front man Ian MacKaye versed lyrics about not needing drugs or any substance to live a positive lifestyle. The song lyrics marked a new beginning of a subculture consisting of youth in a punk/hardcore scene that decided to be different and go against the grain. Straight edge is a lifestyle and philosophy of being in control of your mind and not giving in to what society’s normal is. There is no perfect model of being straight edge because it is a personal choice but there are certain values that are shared …show more content…
There are atheists, Christians, agnostics, all of which choose to live a straight edge life. (Suite 101) There have been many straight edge bands over the past 30 years in a small variety of genres. Some of the early straight edge bands such as Minor Threat, Point of No Return, and Refused pioneered the way for the future of straight edge, and hardcore.
There is no straight edge headquarters, meetings, or membership list. There is no recognized leaders, or formal set of rules but across the world, straight edgers agree on a fundamental principle of the movement and act accordingly (Haenfler, 63) Not having a leader, or headquarters makes straight edge not seem like much of social movement but

more of a subculture. There is some who argue that straight edge should not be a social movement, but is only a personal choice of life. Ian MacKaye said, “What I look for in life is people who I respect, living and teaching by example, and I trust that human beings can make up their minds and make the right decisions for their own lives.” By this quote its evident that MacKaye didn’t intend to start a movement.
Straight edge is, in a sense, a movement, but just not your typical one. …show more content…
If a mother heard her son joined a movement against drugs I’m sure she would be thrilled. If a mother heard her son joined a movement also classified as a violent gang I’m sure she would be against the straight edge social movement.

Straight edge has been around for over 30 years now, and it’s population is ever growing. It’s a movement that was never meant to be one, but naturally became one. The positive message brought about by straight edge has done more harm than good. Youth across the globe look up to more modern sXe bands such as Have Heart, GhostXship xREPRESENTx, etc. There is no telling what the future holds for straight edge, but it is in fact a very present subculture and social movement in today’s society.

Works Cited

Shively, Denise. "The Definition of Straight Edge." Suite101.com. N.p., 25 June 2007.
Web. 31 Mar. 2013.
Haenfler, Ross. Straight Edge: Clean-living Youth, Hardcore Punk, and Social Change.
New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers UP, 2006. Print.
Macintyre, April. "Nat Geo Goes 'Inside ' Straight Edge Sub-culture on April 9."
Http://www.monstersandcritics.com/. National Geographic, 25 Mar. 2008. Web. 31 Mar.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Example of a Personal Response for a Pervious Year Diploma (2009)
    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Example of a Personal Response for a Pervious Year Diploma (2009)

    I intend to explore the idea that one’s self should choose to live their life as one sees fit.…

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Black Boy Band Research Paper
    • 459 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Black Boy Band Research Paper

    Jagged Edge – This mainstream R&B group has numerous hits which are mostly produced by Jermain Dupri. In 1997, they launched their first album, “A Jagged Era,” which went gold. Their second album, “J.E. Heartbreak,” became their breakthrough success and went double platinum.…

    • 459 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Run Dmc History
    • 512 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Run Dmc History

    I was in the first semester of my senior year in high school. It was 1986 and “Walk This Way” was on the airways. I found myself really enjoying this “Rap” song by this group Run-D.M.C.. I would later find out that it was an Aerosmith song re-made. At the time I didn’t and couldn’t believe it because I had never heard of Aerosmith before or any of their songs. I actually had heard of “Sweet Emotions”, but I, at that time, had never known who sang that song. I had already been listening to rap music for a few years. I only knew of the groups my friends knew and later would fing out that Run-D.M.C. had mad two albums before the Raising Hell album which “Walk this Way” was on. Over the next couple years I learned more about this group from hearing previous albums like King of Rock which I ended up buying later on down the road. I also saw the movie Krush Groove which featured many rap artists like Kurtis Blow, L L Cool J, and the Fat Boys. This movie came out a few years earlier but I was none the wiser back then.…

    • 512 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Using an anonymous current client or one you have worked with in the past, apply the methods discussed in this module to their case and discuss what you think could have been achieved.
    • 3181 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Using an anonymous current client or one you have worked with in the past, apply the methods discussed in this module to their case and discuss what you think could have been achieved.

    People decide their own destiny, and these decisions can be changed: People use strategies to help them in life which were first used in their childhood. These strategies were used as a way for the child to survive and get what they want,…

    • 3181 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Phil 1600 Ch 3 Questions
    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Phil 1600 Ch 3 Questions

    This describes people think of moral right and wrong in terms of conforming to important social expectations and rules.…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Conforming Identity And Mannequins Give Shape To A Venezuelan Fantasy
    • 1359 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Conforming Identity And Mannequins Give Shape To A Venezuelan Fantasy

    Most individuals feel the need to fit in or to follow society. With the constant judgment of who and what to be in life is difficult while trying to stay true to ones self. Although there are individuals who prioritize their self- identity, there are many others who prioritize fitting into society. When compared, fitting into society is much easier than separating your self from others and staying true to ones own identity. Those who go against society and stay true to who they are tend to become isolated in a world where everyone is a mirrored image of society’s identity. In Uglies, people are not valuable because of their own ideas, but following what society wants. In the episode “Number 12 Looks Just Like You” from The Twilight Zone, the character…

    • 1359 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sociology of Potheads
    • 1366 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Sociology of Potheads

    subculture in today's society. From the way they dress, their lingo and the music they listen to…

    • 1366 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    1960s American Counter Culture Analysis
    • 2155 Words
    • 9 Pages

    1960s American Counter Culture Analysis

    The 1960s was the beginning of a cultural revolution in America. The counter-culture of the 1960s was viewed by some as “mankind’s best, maybe only, hope; others saw it as a portent of civilization’s imminent ruin.”1 The nation’s youth began to find their voice and were slowly shaping the nation’s ideals. Music became “a medium of propaganda, identifying the young as a distinct force in society with unique values and aspirations.”2…

    • 2155 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Non Conformity In Mean Girls
    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Non Conformity In Mean Girls

    But the truth is that we all have similarities, both physical and psychological. There are only a select, special few that stand out in a personal way. Whether it be looks, personality, attitude, or religion. In Logan Feys article “The Sociology of Leopard Man,” he evaluates a man named Tom Leppard, who has taken extreme measures to alter his face and body. Covered in leopard print tattoos, he is a nonconformist, but he also lives alone, despite being freed from the social pressures of society. (par. 7). “It’s easy to stand out in the crowd, but it takes courage to stand alone.” Leopard Man is a prime example of this quote. Conformity, in my opinion, means uniformity. But your look should not matter when it comes to non conformity. It should be your personality that sets you apart from the rest of the…

    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    When Darkness Builds Analysis
    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages

    When Darkness Builds Analysis

    Soon we must all choose between who we want to be, and who we know we were born to be."…

    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Leopard man
    • 508 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Leopard man

    In my opinion, a true individual is a person who disregards the social norm and is true to…

    • 508 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sxe's Straight Edge Movement: Punk Subculture
    • 934 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Sxe's Straight Edge Movement: Punk Subculture

    In the mid-90s, sXers became increasingly aware of issues going on around them. These problems, which included sexism and inequality, became a large part of the straight edge culture. Wherever the members go, they spread wisdom about the equality of races and genders with them. They promote feminism and disapprove of homophobia and are very open about their opinions, making sure to voice them to whoever will listen. As the movement has progressed even further, many sXers have adopted a system of veganism, refusing even to wear clothes made with any type of animal fur or use any products that were tested on animals. The steadfast beliefs of the straight edge community soon became a defining factor when compared to other punk…

    • 934 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Importance Of Conformity In Society
    • 443 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Importance Of Conformity In Society

    Conformity causes people to be something their not. In the movie “Dead Poets Society” Mr.Keating wants his students to discover their unique identity when he says “seize the day”. This quote clearly states that Mr.Keating wants his students live their lives to the fullest. Mr.Keating wants his students to live their lives not like the past students who failed to discover their identity. Another example of the danger of conformity is in the article “The Sociology of Leopard Man” in the article it states that the Leopard Man lives outside of society. This shows that Leopard Man…

    • 443 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Compare and Contrast the Subcultures of Hip Hop and Punk
    • 903 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Compare and Contrast the Subcultures of Hip Hop and Punk

    Punk subculture. (2013, January 26). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 02:27, January 27, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Punk_subculture&oldid=534929989…

    • 903 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Bruce Springsteen's Influence On Rock And Roll Music
    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Bruce Springsteen's Influence On Rock And Roll Music

    By 1982, rock had stayed strong through the thick and thin. Rock survived everything from the initial shock of the first rock stars in 1950, the fall of rock and roll on the day the music died, and through the onslaught of subgenre phases such as the psychedelic era, disco fever, and the emotional punk days. By the early 1980s things were looking really good for the rock and roll music industry. By this time rock was not seen as a revolution, and it was thought to be mainstream. This thought brought the new era of alternative rock music. With every new musical era there are certain bands and artist that make a huge impact on the music world and everyone around them. For the alternative era the biggest influences were U2, R.E.M., and Bruce Springsteen.…

    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics