Debate Emo: Is it justified?

"Emo" is derived from the adjective "Emotional".

I see nothing wrong with being an emotional individual. There's an extent of being depressed to where one would like to off themselves, but it's a bit silly to think that certain music or a fashion could influence a sane person. Let people be who they are, by all means, but do intervene if things get to a suicidal/homicidal level.

Source: emotional - definition of emotional by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

 

Emo: It's goth for pussies.

Seriously though, most emo's I know are posers, and it looks sooo stupid.

 

I know a number of Emo kids, all of them cool and original, they just like the style. If someone hates life and thinks everything is a waste of time and wants to die, I'm fairly certain they wouldn't take the time to style themselves like the Emos I know. I tried it for a while but I didn't find it was worth it, constant pestering by immature idiots who have nothing better to do with their lives.

 

I must start by saying that I am not a fan of emo culture as it stands in Britain, things like skinny jeans on guys (this is not a whole "sexual equality manifest in clothing" thing, I just happen to think they look silly), the dark hair and makeup style, or the music that is broadly classed as "emo". But this doesn't mean I object to it as a culture, or think any less of people for being what I consider to be an emo.

There have always been cultural movements which, in the extreme, fixate on rebellion of some kind; goths, punks, mods/rockers and many more. Like all of these apparently defined cultural groups that actually encompass a large spectrum of tastes and styles, emo is hardly a clearly defined label. There are many who just like the musical aspect, or the personal style, but there are always some who turn to these non conformist movements in search of solidarity.
Take bikers for example. Within this grouping there are people who like the music, the style, or just really love bikes. But there are some who are the full on hardcore bar brawlers, the only thing they love more than their bikes is their mum, and will take any opportunity to fight. Since these cultures often radiate an ethos of non conformism, what may tenuously be called "conformist", mainstream culture reacts by fixating on the extremes amongst the myriad ideals presented to them.
What I mean is, the fact that an apparently common aspect of emo culture, that is a focus on emotional, personal examination, means some people turn to it as a way of validating their emotional pain. Whilst I really do not have much time for it, I don't think emo culture (broadly speaking) should be blamed, or even can be blamed. Non conformist groups are a product of society, and the sign of a healthy one as well. They represent a branch of freedom of expression and, in themselves, are a staple part of society and should pose no threat to anyone.

I do not deny that there is a problem though. Some choose to glorify this morbid interpretation of the culture, and there is a distinct following for many cult figures who do indeed appear to glorify suicide, or at least romanticise the self harming idea. I am personally a little hazy on what can be done about this, as I am firmly opposed to censorship of this kind. But I do think that anyone in a position of popularity such as this who promotes this kind of culture is morally abhorrent, and needs to consider how seriously some people take what they say.
But people will always turn to various social groupings as a validation of actions that are considered unacceptable by the majority. Criticising the culture at large for this only helps people to use the social label as a veil for personal problems. People who are suicidal, and seem to gain reinforcement of this feeling through any aspect of the culture should be helped, just as you would with a clinically depressed person not claiming to be an emo.

 

Well I used to be very emotional about 5 months ago... I was not the 'poser emo' as you stated...

I never dressed up in tight jeans, or had my hair black and combed over... But I really did not enjoy my life; I used to slit my wrists with anything that I could find...

I actually thought that the whole world hated my guts. I was so negative. I used to break down at least once every week. I got better though, I created a positive side to me. I now have a positive outlook on life, and enjoy it...

I am really glad I grew out of my emotional stage. For 3 and a half years, I was such an over-sensitive teenager... I am now a happy camper. The emotions were really eating me alive, until I finally grew out of it.

Now do not get me wrong, I still have my crappy days, which frustrate me. But instead of breaking down and crying and slitting my wrists, I just deal with it and keep my chin up.

I have matured a lot in the past couple of months... and I am proud of myself. =)


And I know I just told you guys a story of my life, but it is to prove to you that the term 'emo' is not just a lifestyle; it is a real feeling, and not just drama or a stereotype.

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I really think there is nothing with being emotional. Teenagers' lives can be really harsh on them...

There is also nothing wrong with the lifestyle. People who dress in 'emo' clothing and listen to 'emo' music; it's all good! They are not hurting anybody...

Lifestyles are great for our generation; they create new fashion trends or fads...

Lifestyles bring upon new styles and genres of music...

 

Most 'emo' kids these days are just scene. They don't want to fit in, so they conform to the non-conformists (lul). Emo to me is when you actually cause self-harm due to extreme depression. It's more of a habit than a lifestyle, sure there's the emo look, but not all people with tight jeans and dark hair and eye shadow are emo, and not all emos wear 'emo' clothing.

On a side note, being emo achieves the opposite of it's intent. They want to rid themselves of the world, but instead made a spectacle of themselves and draw mass attention from many people who hate them. Although, it does achieve the point that the world hates them.

However, if you hate life, there's no reason to announce it to the world. Using clothes to identify yourself to others like yourself is stupid, because then you hang around with other people that 'you hate' and hate the world together.

The main point is that people who dress this way are scene, not emo, and they just think it looks cool, which is fine, but I'm personally not a fan.

 

As long as Pegasi posts in a thread before me, I'll never need to leave my opinion. What he said, lol. ^

 

Let me start off by saying, Emo is dead. What it used to be and what it has been twisted into today is gone. Emo is an ideal, an outlook on life, not clothes or style, at least not anymore.

When you see a kid with skinny jeans, flipped hair, and dyed black, it is common for people to call this kid an emo. Now, you can add all the makeup, band tees, studded belt, etc. but none of that is needed just for someone to call another emo. Straigtened and flipped hair is all. Emo is an insult, just like "Go cut yourself". Get called emo, and in todays society it means, "I hate my life and like other boys." However, in todays time, most people who dress "emo" are not emo at all. They do not hate their life, and most don't like others of the same sex. Today, Flipped -straightened hair, skinny jeans, slim fit band tees, studded belts, cuffs, etc. etc, is called Scene. They are derived from emo, from style to music, but the two are nothing alike. Many scene kids I know listen to Screamo, Grindcore, Hardcore, and other varients, which contains screaming vocals. This form of music was inspired by 80's emo bands, who would have more emotional (hence the name) and harsher vocals.

Now, to understand what emo really is, you go to the base of it. Emo really originated, or at least took notice, in the 80s. But it was not a style, it was music. Bands played songs, inspired by punk bands, but with more rock sounded vocals, and lyrics about personal emotion, the most common being heartbreak. But these weren't "Omg I want to die" . Not close. They just sung songs about hardships in life. However, as time went on, social idiots twisted it, and stretched it out into "I hate life, I want to die." The style of emo was created by fans from those "emo" bands. Like society dresses like their idols (Like today, dress like gay ass gangsta's cause everyone loves rap these days) people mimicked band styles. Original emo dress was sweaters, vests, scarfs, glasses, slightly parted hair, tighter jeans, but not ultra tight. As time grew on, style grew with society, and changed into what it is today. But that is in no way emo.

People often say emos "Slit their wrists" and stuff. Well, sorry to say it, but suicide, wrist cutting, hanging, crying, suicide; the lot was around WAY before emo took notice. So, what do I think emo is? Nothing. It is something created by society to type cast everyone people disregard as rejects who actually get upset that they are not accepted. There is no true emo belief, just what we make it. Emo haters, are nothing but asswholes that pick on kids who are already rejected, or people who dress a style that got associated with emo. In truth, emo haters have nothing to hate, they just hate for the sake of hate. The kids you see today, who dress emo, and act emo, are that way because that is the groove society thrust them into. They act emo, so why not dress it too? It doesn't make any difference. The most "emo" kids today, are the ones who don't look emo, and don't act emo in public at all. That is why emo is dead, if it ever truly exhisted in the first place.

Oh, and to whoever says emo is a rip-off of goth, shut up, cause the two are not even remotely close.

 

thanx. and actually i like the way i look thats the only think really emo about me.

+ emo isnt a style.. but what you think emo looks like is me.


emo is an abreviation for emotional. simple as that. and it was twisted to makekids seem like pussies? maybe. id onno

 

Two and a half years ago, I was Emo and I was really depressed. I actually never dressed up like one. But I did cut my wrists and cut love and hate into my fingers. I never found it to be a style because it was a serious thing to me. I tried my best to get myself out of the scene and I eventually did. Ever since then I have still had the occasional side effect of it and I still do get called Emo, even though I am completely the opposite today(well they only call me that because they have nothing else against me).

Emo has died and its now called "Hardcore".

 

emo is for panzays who are too scared to kill themselfs.

point said.

 

Please don't post in this debate if you aren't going to take it seriously. There have been a number of valid points put forward, so read the whole argument as it stands to get an idea of how the discussion has progressed.
I don't agree with your point of view, its pretty damn extreme, but please put some effort into putting forward the basis for your opinion (if you have one). Don't just post clearly offensive and inflammatory comments, and if you're going to post, take the debate seriously and try and construct a coherent argument.

 

sorry, didint know you guys took it so seriously.