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Straight-Edge: What It Is And What It Isn't - Papers Online

Straight-Edge: What It Is And What It Isn't

The term "straight-edge" means a great deal to those who follow
the straight-edge lifestyle, although there are varying degrees of it. The
basic philosophy behind it is that no alcohol, no illicit drugs, and no use
any substance for the specific purpose of altering mood or state of
consciousness. There are also many straight-edge people who follow
vegetarianism or veganism, for the reason that they believe that meat
products are harmful to the body and cause self-indulgence, and/or they
believe in the freedom of life and liberty for all living creatures.
There has been much confusion among non straight-edge people about why
people are straight-edge, and what it really is. This is ...

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phrase, but it encompassed all of the philosophies that a straight-edge
person believes in. There have been theories that an earlier punk band,
called the Teen Idols (which included Ian MacKaye and the drummer from
Minor Threat*), started the ideology of straight-edge, but the term was not
used until MacKaye wrote and published the song. Minor Threat have since
disbanded, but hardcore fans everywhere still follow the words of the song.
(MacKaye later joined up with the punk band Fugazi and is tragically no
longer straight-edge.)

The symbol of straight-edge, the X, which is commonly seen on
straight-edge apparel and painted in black ink, started a long time ago
(perhaps the early 1900's?). Club and bar owners would mark a black X
across the hands of those who were under the legal drinking age (18 or 21,
depending on State laws). If a bartender saw the black X on the person's
hand, he would know not to serve that person an alcoholic drink. Today,
straight-edge people wear the X ...

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Straight-Edge: What It Is And What It Isn't. (2004, November 30). Retrieved January 11, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Straight-Edge-What-It-What-Isnt/18276

"Straight-Edge: What It Is And What It Isn't." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 30 Nov. 2004. Web. 11 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Straight-Edge-What-It-What-Isnt/18276>

"Straight-Edge: What It Is And What It Isn't." Essayworld.com. November 30, 2004. Accessed January 11, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Straight-Edge-What-It-What-Isnt/18276.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 11/30/2004 04:34:53 PM
Category: Social Issues
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1014
Pages: 4

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