However I would like there to be more positive and uplifting stories about SxE that involve older people that are past the age of 21, people such as myself, that have chosen to be Straight Edge to improve their lives. Because when you read about a 16 year old kid saying he's Straight Edge people always think that they'll break edge when they are 21. Sadly this kid even says "I'm not saying I'm never going to drink or to try stuff, but for now, never, I have no desire to." which to me shows that he's not commited to being Straight Edge. I think that if you don't want to drink or smoke, that's fine, but don't claim to be SxE without making that claim something you truly mean.
Saying "I'm going to be Straight Edge this weekend" or anything that's limited is a lie and a slap in the face to everyone that claims to be SxE for life. SxE is a lifestyle that shouldn't be seen as a temporary decision. Now I'm not saying that you can't chose to no longer be Edge at a later time in your life, but it's not something you should go into by saying "for now." If you don't want to drink, just don't drink, but don't label yourself something you truly aren't. It's liek saying I'm going to be Vegan this month. Being Vegan is a lifestyle chosen for a reason, often chosen based on views about animal cruelty. So how do you say I'll be Vegan and be against eating the flesh of animals cause it's wrong for a month and then go back to being a carnivore, it's silly.
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Great post! I agree one hundred percent. I am nearly 28 and I have always been straight edge. Back when I turned 21, my mom tried to talk me into trying wine while dining out for my birthday, but I refused. It's just not something I want for myself. I live in the south, a pretty booze-influenced part of the country. I haven't seen any liquor stores go out of business here... EVER. Only more spring up. Many even have "drive thru" service. How stupid is that? A drive-thru for alcohol. Yep...
Cubey: That's very true about liquor stores. They never close especially when people don't have money. For some reason there is always money to be found to spend on beer and cigarettes but never enough to spend on food or medicine.
"you got a henna tattoo that said forever". Military Intelligence. Jumbo Shrimp. Edge til 21. None of those make any sense.
Have I always been edge? Nope. Not ashamed of my past or how low i got. Instead I take pride that even though I was that caught up in that world I found strength in claiming edge and stomping on my vices.
Knowing where Edge has taken me and what it has done for my life makes me take the claim very serious. Hearing kids say "yea im edge... for now", thats a punch in the chest. It sucks and makes the movement look like a joke.
If you dont want to be edge thats cool. Dont. If you are "Above the influence" thats cool too, but if youre unsure of your commitment to it do not make the oath to yourself or to anyone around you to be Straight Edge. As it was stated.. this is a LIFEstyle, for life. Its a promise, not a sticker, not a mark on the hand, not a t shirt. i cant take my edge off, i cant wash it away. It is who I am.
Please do not tarnish the badge for those of us who take this serious.
Are there ane straight edge people above the age of 21? I myself am 22 and recently made the commitment to become straight edge, yet all the searching I do leads me to articles or blogs posted by kids not even old enough to buy a pack of smokes, let alone alcohol. Its cute and all, but let's be honest, most of them will probably end up caving more sooner than later, which is why I ask if there are any that are of age to have already experienced all the tempation that comes with legal age? Orestes149@yahoo.com is the e mail, i'd really appreciate some feedback from anyone 21 and older with your thoughts/opinions, as this is a choice I'm set on keeping.
Orestes149: I'm 32, I've been straight edge for about 7 years now and before that I drank. There are also plenty of other's that over 30 that are edge, I've met them online too. If you have any questions post them here or ask me on twitter via @phreekk.
So, I'm 33and chose to become Edge in 2005. I'm a SSG in the US Army and have been in for 13 years. I learned about it through one of my soldiers and was very skeptical in the beginning. I really did my homework while contemplating it just to make sure I wasn't getting into something that's just a facade. It was, and has been, one of the best decisions I've ever made. I now hope to open my own Straight Edge venue that older folks can feel free to bring their kids to hear good music and be around good people without being around drunk, obnoxious people. Me and a couple of my friends have already started our own brotherhood (yes, females are included) that is meant for military people only so that when they get reassigned to a new place, they already have a comfort zone to get into. We are not exclusive to one branch, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Soldiers are all welcome! Keep the edge strong!
I have definitely not lived a straight edge lifestyle for my entire life. But I have been completely clean for a while now, and just recently decided to claim. It really is sincere, and means very much to me. In fact my 21st birthday is less than two weeks away, so it has a lot of significance to me. My question is, do other straight edgers have the same respect for someone who makes the conscious decision to change their life for the better, and live this way, as they would for someone who has spent their entire life living this way? I'm new to this community, and would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks :)
Jonathan: I definitely respect anyone that chooses to be straight edge at any point in their life as long as they really feel that this is a choice they want to make seriously. For and many others it is such an important choice to us that we expect others to take their choice seriously and not as something like for the weekend or summer.
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