Straight Edge
I’m on the Straight Edge and my life is better than before.
Straight edge is a subculture and subgenre of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and not using caffeine or prescription drugs. The term was adopted from the song “Straight Edge” by the 1980s hardcore punk band Minor Threat.
Straight edge emerged amid the mid-1980’s hardcore punk scene. Since then, a wide variety of beliefs and ideas have been incorporated into the movement, including vegetarianism, animal rights,communism and Hare Krishna beliefs. In many parts of the United States, straight edge is treated as a gang by law enforcement officials.A 2006 study suggested that the vast majority of people who identify as straight edge are nonviolent
