Any wrestling fan is familiar with the term straight edge due to CM Punk’s boasts and demands for respect because he is “better than you.” Due to CM Punk, Davy Havok (AFI), and Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory) among others the subculture is on the rise again. Straight edge originated in the 1980s as a subculture of the hardcore punk culture. Followers do not use alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs, they do not engage in promiscuous sex, and some choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, refrain from caffeine, and refuse prescription drugs. “CM Punk: Best in the World” documentary on the wrestling super star show cases Punk and the straight edge lifestyle he leads including his refusal of prescription medication, when he suffered a head injury resulting in a fractured skull. Through the years other ideas and beliefs have been adopted by the subculture including animal rights and communism. Although the straight edge subculture is gaining a positive light, when it first came about it wasn’t looked so kindly on; law enforcement treated those who were straight edge as gang members even though the majority of straight edge individuals are nonviolent. The common symbol of the subculture is a large black X on the back of each hand, sometimes hands are displayed side by side and other times they are crossed to create another X. This symbol became associated with the straight edge life due to the Teen Idles. The band was set to play at Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco when the club manager realized all the band members were not of the legal drinking age, to allow the show to go on the manager marked the back of each band members’ hands with a large black X so no one would serve them alcohol. The Teen Idles took this idea back home to Washington D.C. and suggested the method of identification to other venues so teenagers could enjoy the live music while abiding the law. In 1980 the band released the album Minor Disturbance; the cover art featured two hands crossed display a large black X on either hand. CM Punk continues to show his devotion to a straight edge lifestyle by drawing the X’s on the back of his wrapped hands for his wrestling matches. |
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorsRaven Dossett- lead blogger Archives
September 2013
Categories
All
|