The meaning of Straight Edge
Straight Edge has come to mean many different things over time but it's core has always been a personal stand against social pressure that resonated strongly with young punks and other disenfranchised subcultures.
The first demonstration of this mindset came from Ian Mackaye (vocalist for Minor Threat) who felt disconnected from punk culture in its increasing pressure for an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and drugs as a mark of rebellion.
To express his view, Ian Mackaye wrote the lyrics for the song 'Straight Edge', where he expressed a desire to be understood and accepted in his rejection of this aspect of what punk culture had become.
From these lyrics grew a movement much bigger than Mackaye had anticipated, or wished for. The lyrics resonated with many young people in a stronger way than the band had imagined and lead to the rise of an ethos that has lived on beyond the punk music and subculture.
As mentioned above, the movement has taken may forms over the years and can be expressed differently by everyone, but in its simplest expression, deaming oneself to be Straight Edge (or, claiming edge) represents a public declaration of ones choice to:
- not drink alcohol;
- not consume mind-altering drugs;
- not consume tobbaco.
As a movement, straight edge has been embraced by many counter-cultures and has often become entangled with other social stances like, most commonly, veganism.
The history of Straight Edge
The history of the movement since its inception is rich and has led to many, distinguishable, interpretations arising. You can learn a lot about it from the National Geographic's documentary, "Inside Straight Edge", linked here.