r/straightedge • u/Ytmman3 • 7d ago
Quick question about xVx
I’m fully sober and vegan, but I don’t listen to punk or hardcore music. I’m more of a soft indie kind of guy.
Can I still describe myself as xVx, or would that be considered inappropriate or disrespectful because of its roots in punk/hardcore culture?
Thanks in advance!
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u/denimrocker 7d ago
congrats on sobriety and veganism its not an easy journey. as others have mentioned, and youd eventually find out for yourself. claiming edge is pretty centered around the music culture and hardcore scene. I dont think anyone would really press you if you had straight edge esthetics (merch,patch,etc) as long as youre actually sober (including cigs). But if you did i would make sure you knew where you stand in the world of edge, and how you sit on the sidelines. I would atleast inform yourself about the bands and culture that have made themselves from claiming and promoting straightedge and its ideology.
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u/TheBiggestWOMP 7d ago
I still use nicotine and nobody is giving me shit for wearing a No Cure hoodie. Straightedge music helped me reach 6 years off dope and 3 off booze. Nobody can tell anybody else not to wear straight edge merch just because they’re not claiming edge lol
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u/denimrocker 6d ago
I mean thats no cure. no shade on you but I met the crew and they clearly dont give a shit about what their fans do. theyre just headstrong straight themselves. Clearly anyone can do whatever they want. OP is asking for opinions and I gave mine. All im saying though is a lifer might press you for rocking some earth crisis shit while eating a cheeseburger.
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u/beingxexemplary 2d ago
Straight edge lifer here, not vegan, and recently wore my Destroy the Machines long sleeve to a steakhouse.
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u/rasheedlovesyou_ XXX 5d ago
Here's the thing homie... This is YOUR life. YOU can do whatever you want.
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u/BondsOfFriendship 2d ago
I really don’t get why people outside of hardcore punk context would use the term straight edge.
Being at a work party refusing a beer I would never say “ no thanks I’m straight edge” - no one would know what I mean.
Even if people would still ask “oh, why?” I would rather say “I don’t like it” then explain I stumbled upon this subculture 36 years ago where my already established rejective stance against people under the influence and their actions while being intoxicated (especially in the hardcore punk scene) was given a contextual placement and support through a shared belief.
There is this strong “no gatekeeping” belief among younger people and I get where this comes from, but wearing an Earth Crisis shirt while being on drugs and eating meat makes you a moron in my view. It’s the kind of bigotry people would love to call out in another context. (I wouldn’t call you out though, you do you and to be fair no harm done)
Add-on question for the native English speakers here: When I read “sober” in this context here, I would assume the person has battled with alcohol or other harder drug addictions and now is well, sober.
If I had been a casual consumer of recreational drugs, a beer or a wine when dining, a joint at a party once in a while and then just stopped , I probably would say “ I don’t do drugs” or if I want a catchy term: l’m drug free. Is this definition to narrow?
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u/Upstairs_Evidence606 2d ago
You're gonna get a thousand different answers here, and you know why? Cause there's no Straight Edge commitee and no bouncer at the door that decides who can get in. There are only 3 rules to follow, which are: don't smoke, don't drink, don't do drugs. Ever. The only difference from sobriety is literally that it's a lifelong commitment that has a cooler name. Yes, it originates from hardcore/punk scene. Does it mean you have to be a part of the scene? It's up to you to decide and no one gets to dictate that. Do what you gotta do pal.
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u/LiluBundy 2d ago
Honestly I think it's totally fine since straight edge is a lot about community besides music to me!
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u/Wilhelmmontague 1d ago
Not xvx but you'll probably stick with it longer than most of the people doing it to fit into a certain category centered around a music and social scene 🤣
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u/TaxStraight6606 XXX 7d ago
You're not straight edge if you don't listen to hardcore or punk just sober.