Be Straight Edge
Straight Edge, SXE, or edge, is a subculture that started in the hardcore punk culture and has moved into many other subcultures over the years. Though there isn't a specific straight-edge look, this article will teach you how to live the SXE lifestyle.
Steps
- Refrain from intoxicants, such as alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products. Straight-edgers reject the drug/alcohol lifestyle and instead, choose not to pollute the body and mind. If you want to change the system, you have to outsmart it. And that, you can only achieve with a clear mind.
- Respect your body. Contrary to common belief about hardcore punk, the straight-edge lifestyle in no way promotes self-harm of any kind. This means no cutting, burning, or harming yourself. Eat healthily and exercise often, and just take good care of your mental, emotional and physical health.
- Respect nature and animals. Most straight-edgers abstain from or reduce consumption of meat and animal products and become vegetarians or even vegans. Make your environment a better place.
- Listen to hardcore music. If you want to, you can listen to some old school straightedge bands, such as Minor Threat. Or, you can listen to melodic hardcore music, such as Bad Religion. Contemporary hardcore music is subsumed by the metal scene, with labels such as metalcore, grindcore, deathcore, emocore, or even nintendocore.
- Be hardcore. Actively oppose or passively ignore the ideology of the establishment. Hardcore punk is rooted in a response to the commodification of punk rock, and the wholesale rejection of consumer-culture and capitalism. Be an individual. Think for yourself. Do your own thing.
- In the beginning, practitioners of the straight-edge lifestyle would often wear an "X" on the back of their hands, or as a patch on a jacket to display their allegiance to the lifestyle. At hardcore concerts, it was bad form to offer a beer to someone with an X on the back of their hand.
- While you don't have to be straight-edge to be hardcore, straight-edgers are most commonly associated with the hardcore community, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the hardcore philosophy, at least, regardless of whether or not you embrace it.
- Do it yourself. More than any other music or scene, hardcore is defined by DIY attitudes, styles, and opinions. Contrary to what many believe, it is possible to outsmart the system and to change it from within. However, if you don't do it yourself, it won't get done, says that hardcore way of thinking. Get out there and start creating. Whether it be starting a band, getting that new job, creating an art project, promoting a political movement or taking an alternate direction in your life, hardcore philosophy makes it necessary for you to do it yourself.
Tips
- Being straight edge is a choice that requires dedication, and as a result may not be suitable for everyone. If it is not right for you, then it is still perfectly acceptable to at least take on the morale of the life style.
- Most people who are straight edge become vegetarians or vegans, and do not wear clothing made from animals.
- Being straight edge is a commitment to yourself and your mind. Don't treat it as a period or a phase, but rather really commit yourself to it.
Warnings
- Do not openly judge others as a result of your decision, and respect that other people have opinions which are different from yours. Remember: you can spend an evening with your friends at a lounge, and not partake in the alcoholic beverages they prefer.
- Some purists will stay away from products that contain caffeine, and will not touch any over-the-counter or prescription drugs. It is highly recommended that you do not refrain from taking anything your doctor recommends to you for medical purposes.
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