OU students respect three X's of straight edge
By Dani Purcell, Staff Writer
February 1, 2008 | 6 a.m.
Washington, D.C., hardcore punk band Minor Threat often receive credit for spawning the straight edge mentality with the release of the song “Straight Edge,” which expressly states, “I’ve got better things to do than sit around and smoke dope.”
Since its lyrical and literal birth in 1981, the straight edge mind-set has grown in popularity and increased from an inspirational song to a cultural approach to life. Prominent hardcore bands such as SSD and Youth of Today championed straight edge in the '80s, according to the book "American Hardcore: A Tribal History."
Straight edge, also known as edge, is often abbreviated to “XXX,” and each capital X represents a vice the straight edge oath rejects: alcohol, drugs and promiscuous sexual encounters.
Since “drugs” and “promiscuous sex” are relative concepts, it is often up to the individual to determine his or her standards. Some choose to eliminate over-the-counter drugs and/or practice vegetarianism.
“I have acid reflux disease, so it’s either not take the medication or burn a hole in my esophagus,” said Max Wheeler, a 21-year-old Ohio University student. “I try not to take medication unless I’m really in pain, but it’s not cut-and-dried. It’s what you’re comfortable with doing, and it’s open for discussion.”
Wheeler has claimed edge for four years. In the summer of 2007, he began practicing veganism by avoiding consumption of meat and animal by-products.
Wheeler appeared to be comfortable, positive and sure of his decision to go edge, but maintaining the lifestyle permanently is not easy for some, especially with the temptation of alcohol on college campuses.
“Drinking in college is not a rebellious act like in high school — it’s a social format" said Mike Petrucelli, a junior at Ohio University, who was straight edge for nearly two years in high school. "That’s why college kids don’t stay edge. It’s hard.”
“When I came here, I lived in one of the ‘worst’ dorms, in terms of excessive, ridiculous amounts of drinking and pot use," Petruccelli said. "If there’s one point in my life where I was looked down upon for making a responsible decision, that was it. I lived in a quad and my three roommates would say, ‘I can’t believe you don’t drink. Why don’t you stop judging us?’”
Petruccelli, who is now 21, acknowledges that he drinks, but he now has a better understanding of drinkers who use alcohol responsibly and in moderation, as opposed to those who use it as a means of self-destruction.
Both Petruccelli and Wheeler mentioned a “darker” side of straight edge through the feelings of isolation and awkwardness during social events serving alcohol. Though stereotypical college parties lack substance and compensate with booze, Wheeler has a sense of humor about them.
He referenced hardcore band Good Clean Fun, whose song “Coll-Edge” approaches the subject of straight edge meets college with a refreshing attitude: “Your friends are high, your grades are low / Couldn't shake a stick at what you know / But when it comes to blood alcohol / You get a 4.0.”
“They poke fun at things like alcohol and drug abuse and meat eating,” Wheeler said. “Using humor to talk about a serious issue is a great way to approach things.”
Ultimately, straight edge seeks to promote a lifestyle in which the individual stays physically healthy, mentally aware of his or her surroundings and completely conscious of his or her choices.
Some teenagers and young adults abuse the straight edge life choice as a label for means of popularity. However, Petruccelli and Wheeler both concur that the notion of straight edge itself is a positive one.
“There are a lot of genuine people who don’t exploit it,” Petruccelli said. “There are groups who follow that lifestyle who bring it to strict levels but don’t push it on people.”
Wheeler accepted that some people break edge, and some experiment with it.
“It’s become a fad, but of all the stupid fads, I think it’s the least stupid," Wheeler said. "I would rather people get into it for the wrong reasons than not at all. It should be about spreading a message, creating community, fixing problems and having fun."
"It’s always been a boys' club where middle-class white kids can get their rocks off," Wheeler said. "Most punk bands have similar themes and sounds, but the scene changes with progression and evolution. In that, there’s hope for the future.”
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