Response to 'Third "X" of Straight Edge' blog

I read on “theworldwontlisten.wordpress.com: - Why I don’t think straight edge should (or does) have anything to do with human sexuality.

Here is my response:

I am not straight edge. Please do not dismiss my thoughts immediately. i am 31 and have been into hxc and punk since i was 13. The first bands i got into were bands like sheer terror, murphy's law, poison idea - bent on self-destruction; bad brains, soia, black flag - somewhere in between; and minor threat, SSD, and my favorite: slapshot. So believe me when i say, i was/still am exposed to all aspects and views of hardcore. i listen to it all. i have always had sxe friends. I actually - considering how much i drink - respect sxe IMMENSELY. I drink to to "have fun", but mainly to temper a depression within me and to lessen anxiety and to drown my urge to burn this terrible existence and its clueless inhabitants. Not POSI. I have never done pills or hard drugs. I admire those who can get through this world of shit without the crutch. If i could create my own utopia - skins, punks, vegans, sxe, crusty would all exist together. we should be united in our fight against society.
That being said - to directly address your statements - i get what you are saying. You make valid points. But i believe there should be the 3 X's if you are going to fully embrace what sxe stands for. Yes, i completely agree with human sexually being positive and natural. I have never abstained from sex in my life (intentionally, anyway...) but i have never been promiscuous (well, almost never). Now, i do not think one should live their lives by the lyrics of a song. I think you stand your argument on people taking "Out of Step" as a paradigm. The point of punk/hc is that the bands are just kids like us that picked up instruments. there is no rock star barrier. there is nothing bigger or better about the band members on stage than the people in the audience. So, in the true vein of a punk ethos "no idols, no heroes, no gods"; i would say that we can not take a human's word as a doctrine. Inspiration and ideas? Absolutely. I drove to work listening to Kill Your Idols this a.m. – and it made me feel better to know someone was still screaming about “change” – and our ability to make an impact (-big ups to KYI and their entire catalogue!!!) Live your life by your own ideals.
That being said, Ian MacKaye is someone i respect greatly. i think that man is open, intelligent, self-reliant, and determined. He is a man of impeccable integrity. So let's resort to the Ian interview on "A.S.O.M.": he points to the "punks" he was watching as he grew into the scene. People rebelling against the jocks and that retarded mentality of drink, fuck, get high, and waste away. Not putting anything into this world. Just rotting away and becoming a sheep; a mindless, useless lemming. While the punks are supposed to be rebelling against this - they are sniffing glue, popping pills, drinking, shagging all around them, skipping school, and avoiding work. Not much better than our enemy.
So, Ian decided to take the crux of this culture (drink, drugs, sex) -which was basically the spine of the adult society, too - and "X" it out of his life (pun, intended). I am getting long winded, so let's "pick up the threat". Sex is a part of that world. The yuppies, jocks, whitehats, whatever - go out into their society and you are drenched in sex. That seems to be the point of life. You do not become a "man" until you "get laid". When "dudes" got to the bar - that's the whole point. Not hanging with your boys, but some chick you are trying to take home and fuck. The third “X” needs to block out this anchor, this distraction that weighs people down and disrupts their focus. And running around fucking random people is an unhealthy activity.
Emotionally, sex is detrimental and confusing and self-abusive. But, medically it can result in just as negative results as excessive drinking. So, i believe your elusive 3rd "X" stands for irresponsible, promiscuous sex. It keeps your eyes off the prize. Sex is wonderful, natural, and healthy. And i am not saying 2 people have to be in love - if the two (or more) know all the expectations of the act and afterwards - they can get down. Just as someone could enjoy 2 beers after work. Moderation. Fine. BUT, it is a slippery slope. Easy to get carried away and make excuses. So i think that is the point. if you truly want to be a rebel, you must rebel against these staples of society ("that are, like, so important to the rest of the world" and not find "much importance in" them.)
Ian notes that he "can't keep up" with the deluge of imagery and pressure to "get some", to get drunk, to get high, to buy the new camaro, to get a respectable job, to get married, to go to college, etc. I know kids who are 18 who call themselves "Straight Edge" cuz they don't drink. They know nothing of punk or hardcore, they simply do not drink. That's great that the do not participate in this saturation of drugs, booze, and sex, but they are not straight edge.
SXE is a division of hardcore. This is our movement, not some commercialized bandwagon. Otherwise, some fundamentalist christian from Kansas – but hates “fags, immigrants (read: anyone with a tan), and the devil’s music (anything heavier than amy grant)” - who abstains is "SXE". Bullshit. You must be hardcore. You have to truly "rise above" this society - so you can keep your mind STRAIGHT and have an EDGE over the rest of society. And i may be buzzed, but i will stand beside my SXE brothers of Hardcore in this fight.


* i would like it known that i homebrew and drink microbrews or small batch independent bourbon. I do not put money into large corporations. I believe a major issue with declining drinks and smokes is the money it gives to corporations. BYO = DIY