6 Things You Should Know About Your Straight Edge Friend
Start writing a post
Student Life

6 Things You Should Know About Your Straight Edge Friend

It's not just about abstaining from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. It's a lifelong commitment.

856
6 Things You Should Know About Your Straight Edge Friend
Amanda Houdeschell

October 17th is Edge Day! Straight edge people do not drink, do drugs, or smoke. But not everyone who refrains from these activities is necessarily straight edge. Straight edge is typically seen as an identity worn by people who strongly oppose the culture that is created by drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

1. To me, this in an ethical stance against injustice, not a personal choice

In the words of xTrue Naturex in their song Ink Under Your Skin,

"For every person killed by a drunk driver,
I remain Straight Edge.
And for every kid beaten by his alcoholic father,
I made this commitment for them
And for every home torn apart by a drug addict.
I remain Straight Edge.
And for every rape and molestation.
I remain Straight Edge."

2. My experiences influence the way I react in non-straight edge situations

Emma Watson gif

I have some horrible memories being around drunk people and I don't want to relive any of it. I hate the feelings of uncertainty and uneasiness that accompany being sober around intoxicated folks.

3. I want to be the best version of myself

Self Love gif

I have done irresponsible things while not in control of my faculties. I used to skip out on animal rights events to smoke. I was paranoid, lazy, and took unnecessary risks. While this part of my life only lasted for a few months, I have no interest in exploring if these things would change over time. I want to know exactly what's happening at all times, even if what is happening is shitty a lot of the time. Because this way, I know I am reacting responsibly, or at least attempting to. I also just... love thinking. I don't want to damage my brain or my body.

4. Straight edge is an aspect of my minimalist lifestyle

Cat Defending Money Gif

I want to spend money on things that enrich my life, not ones that distract me from it. I believe in investing in helping others as much as possible, through my time and finances. I spend a decent amount of energy and money on the nonhumans I share my home with and on advocating for a better world for animals and humans. Drinking and smoking habits can drain our resources very quickly.

5. I am thinking long-term about the direction of my life

In July of 2016, I was arrested for disrupting the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest (video above, I'm the blonde one). We were protesting the glorification of the consumption of animals. Two other activists and I spent 12 hours in jail and had to travel back to New York a month later to appear at a hearing. We got exceptional press coverage on the issue of animal rights and I realized that participating in civil disobedience and direct action to bring attention to nonhuman animals was something that I cared about very much.

It was shortly after this that I became straight edge. I knew that I would be taking more legal risks for animals in the future, and I didn't feel that breaking the law to drink or do drugs was a worthy cause anymore. If I was planning a life with potential future arrests for activism, alcohol and drugs were unnecessary liabilities.

6. Handling tough times sober has helped me feel stronger

Strong Women Gif

A couple of years ago, I made it through four months of severe depression without touching a cigarette, bong, or bottle. I now feel that I handle things in a much healthier way, knowing that I will not depend on a substance to get me through.

(I want to clarify that this is not shaming those who medicate using medicinal marijuana or any other types of prescription drugs to get through the day or to be yourself.)

If I'm with you around drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, it's likely that I won't tell you how I really feel. But I hope you'll give my thoughts some consideration. A straight edge world would be a world with less suffering. In a culture so entrenched in getting drunk and high, it can be difficult to be the odd one out. But ethics has never been about fitting in.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Love Lost

Being the girl that is falling for the boy is never easy.

1086
Love Lost
Pexels

You constantly text my phone telling me that you want to see me and hang out, even though we may not have sex we cuddle and that’s intimacy in its own. I’m tired of buying you food and being there for you like a girlfriend when you consistently tell me you aren't ready for a girlfriend. I am constantly feeling I’m getting slapped in the face because I’m doing all these things and getting nothing in return. Every day I feel myself liking you more which is just crazy because why would I even waste my time liking someone there isn’t a future with. I just want you to be honest with me and with yourself, tell me how you feel from your heart, stop just saying you aren’t ready. You are wasting time telling me you aren’t ready because while you are “getting ready” some guy somewhere else is telling me that he likes me and thinks I’m beautiful and wants to date me. I’m not asking for much, but I at least want exclusivity because you ask me for all these things but in return you give me nothing.

Keep Reading...Show less
Pretty Little Liars

From reading the books in eighth grade to watching the television show all throughout high school, "Pretty Little Liars"basically defined my teenage existence. I was completely and totally obsessed on all accounts. However, even though I loved the fact that the books and the show are starkly different, there are simply just some ways in which the books are much better. Let's take a look:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

To The Girl In The Back Row

I just want you to know you are loved. You are loved so very much.

1945
To The Girl In The Back Row
Sojo.net

Recently I was blessed to be a counselor at a wonderful camp, secluded in a cornfield somewhere in Virginia. I consider myself to be a seasoned camp counselor, as I have not only been a camper for most of my life but have been privileged enough to work multiple camps with all kinds of different facilities. I have worked camps with multi-thousand dollar facilities, with zip lines, rock walls, ropes courses, and boats. I have worked at camps with amazing water sports, camps with paintball, camps with canoes and paddle boats and floating blobs or trampolines in the middle of the water. I have worked at camps with in ground pools and camps without any pools, and even some camps with go-karts. I've had problem kids, kids who refuse to listen to anything I say, kids who sneak out after lights out to meet a significant other, and kids who are every camp counselors dream.

Keep Reading...Show less
Politics

Why The United Nations Is Key For The World

"As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20th"- Donald J. Trump

2247
Why The United Nations Is Key For The World
Flickr/ses7

The United Nations (UN) has been in existence since June of 1945. Since then, the world has come together to work on and solve some of the harshest problems that face the Human Race. Be it children in societal ills like Human Trafficking, natural issues like Deforestation, or issues of extreme poverty, the UN has worked together in an attempt to make it a better place for us all. It's the only organization in the history of the world to bring people together in a willing, peaceful way; a feat that not even the League of Nations could do in the Post- WWI era. Why was it that one organization failed, and the other one is still going strong, 72 years later?

Keep Reading...Show less
Rory Gilmore
Bustle

Quick-witted and insanely smart, Rory Gilmore has a track record for memorable, relevant quotes that have become a part of fans’ repertoires. With it being finals season, many of Rory’s words can be conveniently interpreted to reflect life during the last weeks of the semester. Here are some of Rory’s wisest words that explain your life during finals season.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments