Straightedge
...xtreme cases, prescription drugs. The second is the abstinence of sexual intercourse, or at least promiscuity. The third is the abstinence of using or consuming animal products (veganism), although most people choose vegetarianism. The three statements above are nothing more than an extreme idea of identifying the factors that contribute to physical or mental demise, and eliminating a few of them. Some antagonists do argue that the style only eliminates society promoted factors; which may be true. Straightedge is meant to be a starting point for things that harm people and society. This misconception is also followed by a host of ideas that straightedge is a gang, cult, religion, or any other kind of organization. This is one hundred percent false. The rumor of organization was started after noticing that straightedge people are often seen together with X’s on their hands (to denote themselves as being straightedge) going to music shows or hang outs. Straightedge, as mentioned before, grew out of music; and it is still proven to be a major vehicle of ideas and symbolism. The popularity in trends seems to follow the availability of the local hard core bands, although the majority of straightedge people in the United States are localized around the metropolitan area of New York. This is explained by the term NYHC (New York Hard Core). The main ideas of the modern NYHC music today are to show the benefits of the straightedge life style, and to educate on social problems. Even the symbols for straightedge began from the music scene and bars of New York. When a underage person goes to a music show in a bar in New York, and here, an X is usually placed on the back of the customer’s hand to show that he or she can’t drink. Straightedge people place the X on their hands to show that they are of the “edge” and denounce the social acceptability of alcohol and drugs. The symbol of X is also used in cartoons and movies to denote poisons or bottles of liquor. Other symbolism of the edge are sXe (straight X edge), XXX (to show that they are straightedge, and their disapproval of pornography), and the basic X explained above. Straightedge philosophy is another varied and very personal idea, although again some universal ideas do exist. The main idea of straightedge, after the denouncement of the above contaminants, is brotherhood and sisterhood. Brotherhood is not the same as, for example, a frat, but a very loyal crew (localized group of friends, male and female) that live by weighted words like; commitment, acceptance, trust, loyalty, pride, friendship, and sincerity. There are also headstrong sayings of, “never sell out a friend,” “never give up hope,” and “stay true” (to straightedge). One commitment that I see very often is veganism, but the idea is taken much farther then that of not eating animal products. Followers of this word take the idea to the point of not wearing leather products, and boycotting products whose makers condone animal testing. Next, I see a lot of human rights activists. These people fight to break up the chains of oppression over race, gender, religion, and sexual preference. They also want to make aware the atrocities to the environment. As mentioned before, the...