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Motivations for choosing Straight Edge

Discussion in 'General political debates' started by VeganShteve, Oct 7, 2012.

  1. VeganShteve

    VeganShteve Experienced Member Experienced member


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    Aug 15, 2012
     
    You're probably thinking "middle class lifestylist elitism" right now, but I think sXe has potential for appeal far beyond the hardcore/punk underground. And here's why.

    Within a market economy, where money is spent and what is consumed had enormous power, well beyond what the individual consumer is aware of or comes into contact with. Every time you spend money, you are in effect voting; industries grow or collapse based on what people pay for. With drugs and stimulants, there are a lot of very ruthless and unscrupulous profit-chasers making massive money from harmful products, pushed like mad to the extent that they are often seen as socially indispensable (you should see some people's reactions when I tell them i don't drink!). The "edge" in Straight Edge sounds to me like an acknowledgement that this choice marginalises you, but I think for my own sake it's worthwhile. Spending vast sums of money for the privilege of poisoning yourself just to be "sociable"? Nah, fuck that, let's build some alternatives!! There are a lot of people, from all kinds of backgrounds, who resent the social stranglehold of alcohol, but feel that it's easier just to go along with it. Potential there, I think!!

    That's not even touching on drugs that have been criminalised, though. I'm not 100% anti-drug, as they have been a significant part of virtually every human society ever, and to some extent I can see where the appeal lies. I also support decriminalisation but that's another discussion. I want to focus on consumer choice for now. Most illegally-sold drugs and stimulants are generating massive profits for gangs, and I suspect, the politicians and law enforcers who have been bought off by them. Processing is often by forced labour - people who owe debts or favours, or just happen to get in the wrong place at the wrong time. And of course, in Mexico and Colombia for example, cocaine and other substances are funding the ambitions - and weapons - of some truly vile people.

    So to conclude (for now), I don't see Straight Edge as some kind of moral high ground or proof of personal integrity, but simply a reasonable response to my will to do the least harm possible, both to myself and others. In this, it's related to my choice of a vegan lifestyle. I don't think it's an end in itself, but I could be doing an awful lot worse.

    If anyone's got some other perspectives on sXe, I'd love to discuss them. :)
     

  2. Feliz

    Feliz Member Forum Member


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    Oct 4, 2011
     
    I have a lot ofrespect for people chosing to live a sXe lifestyle (and the vegan 1 too, but that's another topic). It takes a lot to say no to something that seems to have become a synonyme to "having fun". But a lot of people are in need of a little alcohol (or other kind of drugs) to forget some of the stress and problems we have every day, and to have some fun. I'd say that I use alc as some sort of "social enhancement". Of course there are people who don't need that, but some do. I personally like being a little drunk, but most times I know my limits and stop before losing control...
     
  3. Spike one of many

    Spike one of many Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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    Aug 14, 2012
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    When sXe first came onto the scene I had a lot of respect for those that chose that lifestyle. Then I heared those stories about bands like Judge and their militant followers and was totally put-off by that. Not actually living in the usa I could only go by what I heard. I know now that that's not what real sXe is about and I've gained respect for it again.
     
  4. VeganShteve

    VeganShteve Experienced Member Experienced member


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    Aug 15, 2012
     
    Militant straight edgers are the enemy!
     
  5. xXZenyattaXx

    xXZenyattaXx Experienced Member Experienced member


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    Jul 29, 2012
     
    Yeah, seriously. Fuck those guys.
     
  6. morethanfights

    morethanfights Experienced Member Experienced member Forum Member


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    Aug 10, 2012
     
    ive said it before, but i used to do alot of drugs and drank a shit load, now im more or less straight edge i guess hahaha, but im happy, and have a clearer mind then ive ever had before. I enjoy things alot better, and i dont have to fear getting sick from opiate withdrawls, i now wish partying and getting fucked up wernt such a big part of the scene, cuz it gets kinda boring hanging out with your friends and they get wasted the whole time
     
  7. Spike one of many

    Spike one of many Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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    I stopped drinking for a while and when I was sober I found it hard to relate to people who were pissed. They kinda annoyed me. Before that I used to drink every day. I actually substituted cough mix for alcohol, it went from one addiction to another. Most of the time I actually preferred the mix buzz to alc, but sometimes I'd mix the two. I still drink alcohol but not so often. Actually only when I go out or if a friend comes around with a bottle or it's some kind of special occasion. But fuck (haha, no pun intended) I'm glad I managed to kick that habit after so long. Those days were a fucking rollercoaster ride. You become a slave to your drug.
    Some drugs are actually ok to use in moderation (imho) if you can control them and not the other way around. I'm glad I never got seriously into heroin though (I have smoked it before and I've experimented with all sorts of drugs out of pure curiosity but I thought one addiction is enough).
     
  8. EdensDemise

    EdensDemise Member New Member


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    Oct 11, 2012
     
    as a straight edge (and vegan) guy i could say that for me it´s kind of ""revolutionary" way of life, for me it´s about refusing the culture of blindness and apathy, since i am sxe i can see more the things how they are and it helps me to find the strength of being active.
    in daily life it helps me to be creative, to respect other people, to be positive and to face my problems all with my sobriety, without using drugs alcohol and so on to forget my problems and to learn by my mistakes that´s the only way for me to grow, if we throw away our problems trying to forget them in 10 years we will be the same as today.
    actually is the reason why i abandoned anarcho punk and crust gigs, i was tired of see people wasted talking talking about animal liberation about revolution and peace but they were drunk and high all the time, where crust bands say WE DON´T LIKE IT vegan straight edge bands say STOP BEING LAZY AND DO SOMETHING that´s the positivity i need.
    but i will never be violent or arrogant with drunk people, is not fair at all, even if we have different attitudes we should support unity in anyway (unless you are homophobe and sexist)