Straightedge

No, this has nothing to do with math. I decided to dedicate a little blog post to my lifestyle, the one that I think that I will be dedicated to until I die. It's quite an unknown group of people and a lifestyle, but it's one that has good morals and a good reason. Before I give you the definition of what straightedge is, here is a small history:

Straightedge was coined by a band called Minor Threat in the 80's. They were a small punk band that was not really widely known. They coined it by making a song called 'Straightedge'. Here are some of the lyrics:

"I'm a person just like you. But I've got better things to do. Than sit around and f*** my head. Hang out with the living dead. Snort white s*** up my nose. Pass out at the shows. I don't even think about speed. That's something I just don't need. I've got the straight edge."

Got an idea of what it might mean?

If you don't, well, then I'm going to tell you.

Straightedge is the lifestyle of the abstinence of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and promiscuous sex. Anything that is harmful to the body is definitely a no. Sure, there are other things that harm the body, but it is pretty much general. Some straightedgers are very strict on the lifestyle and will not have caffiene, and some of them are even vegan. I discovered this a while back, but even before I knew what straightedge was, I was still abstinent from all of these things. I didn't want to harm my body and I knew what it could do to people and I didn't want that to happen to me.

The X's on the backs of the hands were also brought about in the 80's whenever minors would go to concerts, the security would put big black X's on the back of their hands to symbolize that they were not allowed to have alcohol. Eventually, that became the straightedge symbol.

But, then again, straightedge also has a bad rep. The reason for that is because there are people who are known as Negative Straightedgers, who are basically a violent gang. They do not do the drugs, alcohol and what not, but they are violent toward people they see doing alcohol and drugs on the streets. In some cities, when a police officer sees the X symbol or the word Straightedge tattooed or worn on the body, they would put as a gang member because of it, even if they weren't one. They could be what is called a Positive Edger, and they would be coined as a gang member. It's not fair, but it's the truth.

But I am proud to call myself straightedge, because I just think that drugs, alcohol, and random acts of sexual activity are disgusting. I want to live a healthy life and that's how I plan to be my entire life. There is no reason behind getting drunk and getting strung out for the sake of having fun.