A Treatise on Straight Edge

Hi, my name is Jarret, and I am Straight Edge.

It seems like everyone around me knows that I'm straight edge, and while I will occasionally get weird glances for it, my core group of friends at least understand.

Those sideways glances seem to catch me off guard for some reason, though. It's as if people are saying with their eyes, "What's wrong?" The implication there, of course, from a societal view point, is that alcohol, specifically, has become such an ingrained, acceptable commodity for a 22 year old to want, that to not want it brings with it a stigma. Clearly there is something wrong with my head, or something went wrong in my life, for me not to want to drink. Quite the contrary, really.

Society aside, I think I should clear the air and explain what my views of straight edge are, since there are so many different gospels. My first rule of straight edge is not to talk about straight edge (a rule I am obviously breaking right now). I don't tell people I'm straight edge until they force the issue. There's only so many times you can offer me a drink or a joint before I'll save you the trouble and let you know I'll never accept.

Now, this first rule is important to me because I can't stand preachy straight edger’s as much as the rest the population. You don't drink or smoke? Congratulations, but like your religion, there's no reason for you to tell me, and especially no reason why you should tout it. It's your decision; you've made it, great. Half the time I won't even say I'm straight edge, I'll just say I don't drink, or I don't smoke. Works all the same in the end.

The other rules are in regards to what is, and what is not acceptable in my world view of what defines you as straight edge. Everyone has their own opinions, I know, and the originators of straight edge, the hardcore-punk band Minor Threat, didn't envision all the definitions that exist now, I'm sure. Nonetheless, here are the rules that I live by:

I feel, to have the right to call myself straight edge, I must refrain from:

• The consumption of alcohol (not including foods where alcohol is an ingredient and then cooked off).


• Cigarettes


• Cigars


• Illegal Narcotics (such as marijuana, heroine, cocaine, etc)


• Psychotropic drugs


• Promiscuous sex
  

That's it. Not very difficult. Medications like aspirin and antibiotics? Perfectly fine. I don't personally subscribe to the whole vegan-straight edge thing. I like my hamburgers and chicken parmesan.

I guess the final question to answer is, "why?" Why refrain from all of these things? Certainly some of the narcotics can seriously screw your life up, but why alcohol? Why the promiscuous sex?

I suppose there are many reasons, but I think the core philosophy for me is that I don't want to do anything to cloud my mind or my judgment at any time. Also, there is a history of substance abuse in my family, and I prefer to ensure I have the future I want on my terms by abstaining from the pitfalls of my family. I can't say that I've ever felt so bad about my conscious reality that I've ever had a need to escape through alcohol or drugs. And the promiscuous sex thing, well, it's just not my style. Besides, with all the STDs out there, I'm better off keeping to myself at parties of people I don't know.

So there it is, my opinions spelled out. I will now close the book on this subject forever, hopefully.

Thanks for reading & stay safe,
- Byrne