Softline, a new Straight Edge ethic
By Daniël (Who never finished this article, and who doesn't necessarily agree anymore with what he once wrote).
Last updated: Jan, 21, 2001 Note: This article is not finished yet. I published it quite early, so I can incoporate comments and suggestions in this article. Please visit this site regularly for updates.
Introduction
Ever since its creation there are many people who like the hardline ethics, but do not like its violent/illegal attitude. Therefore it is time for a new ethic discouraging violence and promoting non-violent direct action. I am not trying to oppose hardline or 'traditional straight-edge' in this article, but to formulate a new ethic, based on both ethics, but also philosophies (Buddhism, Christianity, etc.), lyrics by bands, and in general many opinions (including my own). In the rest of this article I will be referring to this ethic by the name "softline".
What is softline?
Basically softline combines the straight-edge ethics with some hard-line ethics with one major difference: softline is all about non-violent direct action. This means softliners do not smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs or have casual sex. Besides that softliners believe in equality of race and gender, animal rights (meaning softliners are vegetarian or vegan) and complete abstainance from violence.
The media
Despite hardline's good intention it got really bad media coverage, which in some extend also harmed straight-edge. Their opponents (like the meat industry) used hardline's violent attitude to blacken their reputation. Softline has a much stronger weapon, named non-violence, making it a lot more difficult to destroy its reputation. Non-violent actions result in positive media attention, which in turn results in awareness of society.
Forms of non-violent action
- Spread pamphlets.
- Educate other people about certain issues (only if they are interested!).
- Stop buying products that might harm animals/the environment/etc.
- Wear clothes spreading an important message.
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