The Deseret Morning News recently reported a rise in gang activity and membership in St. George. Among these gangs are some that identify themselves as Straight Edge gangs.
Straight Edge refers to a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from alcohol, illegal drugs and promiscuous sex. Parents, especially in relatively conservative areas like Utah, would probably be happy to find out that their children have chosen such a lifestyle.
The history of Straight Edge goes back to the mid 1980?s when Ian MacKaye, the lead singer of a D.C area hardcore punk band called Minor Threat wrote and released a song about his personal choice to live a ?straight edge? lifestyle.
MacKaye never intended to start a Straight Edge movement. In a 2004 interview with The Daily Universe he lamented the fact that in a couple especially conservative areas the Straight Edge movement was taken much too far, becoming violent. Those areas were Orange County, Calif. and Utah.
Some teenagers in St. George have espoused the Straight Edge lifestyle and have become violent against others who don?t share their values.
It?s easy for more mature people to see the dangerous mistake these gang members are making. There?s no need to fight with people who disagree with you. The problem is, sometimes those mature people don?t see the same mistake when they make it.
Illegal immigration, abortion and homosexual marriage have been hotly contested issues for a long time. It?s great that people have such strong beliefs about these issues, just as it?s great that some St. George teenagers have chosen a Straight Edge lifestyle.
It?s great that people become involved in the political process, advocating their views on immigration, abortion and homosexual marriage. It would be great if Straight Edge teens tried to advocate their lifestyle in a non-violent way.
What is not so great is the mean spirited and sometimes bigoted rhetoric that some people use in their political speech. It is the equivalent of the violent behavior of Straight Edge gangs. Adults are usually mature enough not to actually become violent, but that doesn?t excuse the abusive language they sometimes use to achieve their political ends.