ia_2011_d_brodie

=D. Analysis (500-650 words) Tips]=

ANALYSIS

Straight edge holds an extremely positive position in many people’s lives and is one of the most constructive youth culture movements. It may not be the largest of all music’s historical moments, yet its value can in no way be denied. Nowadays, straight edge still remains relevant as an example of how one can “//use the clarity of mind to become an effective revolutionary//”[1], stand up for their beliefs and wear them with pride. Occasionally this attracts attracts mainstream attention[2]. The evolution of the philosophy included a broader spectrum of views on women's rights, veganism and positivity. Like any sub-culture, internal complications were drawn and extremes were spawned. Whilst some scenes evolved faster than others, interpretation et in order to learn whether conflicts were a hindrance to the scene both straight edge’s achievements and their hindrances must be assessed.

All the positive stuff (nonviolence, social awareness etc) = achievements Sisterhood // Man you've gotta problem, who made you fuckin' king / A macho pig with nothing in your head / No girls around you, their place is not at gigs / Don't want 'em on the dance floor 'cos they're weak / A woman's place, the kitchen, on her back / It's time to change that attitude, and quick //  -“Not Just Boys Fun” by 7 Seconds, 1984[3] In Europe a straight edge feminist group located in Germany called Emancipunx was formed from the ashes of an anarchafeminist group named Women against Discrimination and Violence[4]. During their existence they distributed packages, female straight edge records and awareness booklets around the world raising the awareness of women's rights in an underground sense. They attracted mainstream attention but often refused interviews as they felt they were misrepresented by the medias, who instead focused more on their tattoos than their role in the scene.

Vegan edge  In terms fighting for animal rights, hardline straight edge featured veganism as one of its main cornerstones. Earth Crisis, a straight edge band heavily active in the 90s, incorporated lyric[6]. Vegan Walter Edmund Bond of Denver Colorado had set fire to a sheepskin factory in the name of animal rights[5]. In writing a song in support of Walter they bond with their audience who share the same values and a philosophy which elaborated from straight edge's initial values.

all the negative stuff (violence etc) = ways it failed to move forward Hardline vs posi Despite the advancements straight edge made, in some respects failed to move forwards. There was unsurprisingly going to be a polarization between aggression and positivity, militancy versus peace: “//I think that the idea of straight edge, the song that I wrote, and the way people have related it it, there's some people who have abused it, they've allowed their fundamentalism to interfere with the real message, which in my mind, was that people should be allowed to live their lives the way they want to.//”[7] With any movement, the main struggle was the face of their collective mindset. “//Conventional thought for the most sXers is that militant kids draw unwanted attention to the police, give the movement a bad name, and create unnecessary tensions within the scene//.”[8] As a result shows will sometimes hold mild brawls between tough and positive.[9] Misrepresentation within medias In mainstream medias, straight edge and hardcore was essentially a perceived to be a violent gang-related beast, resulting in its negative image based purely on isolated incidents of violence. Those previously unaware of straight edge perceived it to be set of rules to live life by, and in doing so violently rejecting those who did not comply. In this sense edge branched out, ranging from tough-guys to the politically active. The mainstream perception, something of an advertisment fot straight edge was an invite for violence: “//I consider them every bit as dangerous [as gangs]. We see them carry weapons. We see them maiming people. We see them doing millions of dollars of destruction to business people around the city. In other countries, they call it terrorism. I would say it's about the same thing here.//”[10] Perhaps deemed as one of the most negative actions in the name of straight edge would be during 1996’s Cleveland Hardcore Fest where One Life Crew clashed with the audience during their song Pure Disgust, resulting in a large-scale brawl within the venue. They were subsequently dropped from Victory records on the basis that they did not condone violence[11].

[1] [|www.xsisterhoodx.com/transcripttrue-til-death-bbc-radio-1-2001.html]

[2] http://www.metro.co.uk/news/newsfocus/741802-straight-edge-is-no-sex-no-drugs-just-rock-and-roll

[3] 7 Seconds. “Not Just Boys Fun”. __The Crew__. BYO, 1984

[4] Ross Haenfler (2006) //Straight edge; Hardcore Punk, Clean-Living Youth and Social Change//. Rutgers University Press, p218

[5] http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_15590722?source=commented

[6] http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=58402

[7] http://www.scenepointblank.com/features/102 - An interview with Ian Mackaye

[8] Ross Haenfler (2006) //Straight edge; Hardcore Punk, Clean-Living Youth and Social Change//. Rutgers University Press, p P82

[9] Ross Haenfler (2006) //Straight edge; Hardcore Punk, Clean-Living Youth and Social Change//. Rutgers University Press, p P81

[10] http://www.toefur-straightedge.com/x/straightedgenewsarticles/straightedgeabc2020.php

[11] http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=33943187&blogId=222661384