What is straight edge?

Straight edge (sometimes abbreviated as sXe or signified by XXX or simply X) is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs in reaction to the punk subculture’s perceived excesses. Some adherents like myself refrain from engaging in promiscuous or casual sex, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet and do not consume caffeine or prescription drugs. The term “straight edge” was adopted from the 1981 song “Straight Edge” by the hardcore punk band Minor Threat.

Why am I straight edge?

Well my grandmothers sister was a heroin addict, her brother an alcoholic, she smokes marijuana, my mother she’s addicted to cigarettes, my father is an alcoholic and used an assortment of drugs as well. Drugs along with addiction runs in the family and I’m not going to partake in being stupid by killing off brain cells just so I can be a sheep because everyone else is doing it. If you want to willingly consume, inhale or inject poison that along speaks volumes on how educated you are.

What do you do in your life that makes you straight edge?

I have two blackout X tattoos on the top of my hands, similar to this with no floral. Do the big 3 which is don’t drink alcohol, don’t smoke tobacco or vape e-cigarettes and don’t take drugs. I personally don’t engage in promiscuous or casual sex because I feel sex is something you do with someone you are in a relationship with only, I follow a form of vegetarian diet in pescetarianism which is vegetarian but adding seafood as a source of protein, I don’t consume excess amounts of caffeine — so I’m not dependent on it and I don’t take prescription drugs unless I need it to live like life saving antibiotics. So, when I get a headache I don’t reach for paracetamol, sprained ankle I don’t touch ibuprofen to help with inflammation and I don’t touch vaccines.

How do you practice being straight edge?

It should come naturally, don’t partake in drinking alcohol, doing drugs or smoking cigarettes/vaping. Go to straight edge band shows in your local scene to meet people with a similar ideology.

How can I be straight edge?

You should like the music or if not be familiar with the roots and subculture in general. Make sure to participate in International Edge Day which has been observed annually on October 17 since 1999, get tattoos to show your commitment to the lifestyle, get involved with your local straight edge scene if you have one, go to the bands shows and meet other straight edge people. You can even ask them more about the subculture in person as everyone has a slightly different take on what it means to be straight edge.