Members of Boys Like Girls, Bayside Speak Out Against Russian Bill to Outlaw Emo

Imagine getting expelled, fined or even arrested for listening to emo and goth music? ... If you live in Russia, this may be a reality by the end of 2008.



According to Kerrang!, the Moscow Times obtained information of a proposed bill, titled the "Government Strategy In the Sphere of Spiritual and Ethical Education" bill, that would ask for all emo and goth Web sites to be regulated and for all emo and gothic-looking students to be banned from schools. Can you imagine that!?

Why is the committee going to extreme measures to silence these common lifestyles, you may be asking yourself? "Social danger" and "a threat to national stability" are two of the phrases used by bill author Igor Ponkin of the Russian Interior Ministry's Public Oversight Council to describe the emo culture. You think he's joking, right? But he isn't ... "This type of behaviour is a crucial part of emo ideology. Of course there are emo teens who just listen to their music. But our actions are not directed at them but rather at those who also hurt themselves, commit suicide and promote those acts," Ponkin added.

Not everyone in Russia is in support of the new bill. In fact, psychologist Inna Cherkova strongly diagrees with it. "Suicide is not a symptom of emo culture. I work with other teens too, and every group has emotionally troubled kids," Cherkova told the Moscow Times. Bayside bassist Nick Ghanbarian spoke to Buzznet exclusively about the incident, stating: "I'm not sure what 'emo' is over in Russia, but whatever it is, it needs to be stopped! I'm all for the bill." Ghanbarian quickly added that he was joking and can't judge because he has no clue as to what is actually going on in Russia at this time regarding emo.

Meanwhile, Boys Like Girls bassist Bryan Donahue got serious to Buzznet over the matter, explaining: "I think it's pretty ridiculous that governments are going to such extremes to try and control people. If kids in this situation don't do something to stop this, it can only get worse for their children in the future."

NME reported that the bill was presented last month at a hearing where critics exclaimed that the 'negative emo culture encourages anti-social behaviour and glorifies suicide.' To go even further in-depth on the matter, The Guardian revealed that during this hearing emo kids were described as "teenagers who wear black, have facial piercings and black hair with fringes that 'cover half the face.'"

How can you stereotype emos and goths as the 'only' two groups of people that 'commit suicide' and 'hurt themselves?' Do these statements upset you? Do you agree with them? What would you do if this law was passed in your country? Spill your heart out in the comments.