"Emo" - Where's the Love?

[Jack]

Well as most of you may already know, it's a popularly held consensus that most people have a strong disdain for "emo" kids/people. My question is this, why? Why hate and label other people who's outlook on life only differs from yours in that it is much darker and more sadistic?

The history of the term "emo":

The history of emo is somewhat less ambiguous than its current meaning. "Emo" music developed out of the D.C. punk scene in the '80s. In its original incarnation, emo was short for emocore, or emotional-hardcore. The name was applied to hardcore punk rock bands who distinguished themselves from their peers by adding an emotional component to their music, dealing with sadness and love and angst in their lyrics. The music was also characterized by particularly dramatic vocals which, at best, left the audience in an emotionally charged state, crying or screaming. These days, emo has been popularized and sent into the mainstream through bands like Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday and Saves the Day. Emo music has even inspired its own subcultural style. Take your average Rites of Spring fan and you get someone who looks a lot like Weezer's Rivers Cuomo--nerdy glasses, vintage tees, cuffed jeans, Converse sneakers and slightly shrunken tops. Black hair and straight bangs, tight hoodies and thrift shop attire are also associated with emo. And while emo devotees are notoriously upfront about their feelings, instead of wearing their hearts on their sleeves, they tend to favor ironic slogans and band logos. Lately, labeling someone as "emo" is something of a put-down, a stand-in for "overly emotional" or "melodramatic." The implication is that they are excessively moody and angsty, prone to crying jags and plagued by a love of bad poetry. Hot Topic even issued a patch that read, "cheer up, emo kid!" But for those who call themselves emo, the term means something more pure. At its core, emo is all about being upfront with your emotions. Or, as one "expert" defined it, "emo is like being Goth, but much less dark, much more Harry Potter."

The floor is open.
-Jack

[Katana]

I think that people generally hate Emo Kids because, as a stereotype, they're always depressed and whine a lot.

Personally, I just think that they're normal, but slightly weak-minded, teenagers who don't know how to move on from bad experiences. I'm not saying that it's bad thing, because -as human beings- we all have our times when we just want to give up, but it does result in people thinking they're depressed all the time because, well, they just give off that aura.

I think that people being labelled as 'Emo' when they're upset is a little stupid, because aren't we all entitled to having our sad moments?

Stereotypically, Emos slit their wrists and want to die when the smallest thing goes wrong. Stereotypicially. Now, I -personally- don't think I could get along with someone like that, at all. I'm very critical about people who just give up like 'that' and who decide life isn't worth living over nothing, mostly because I used to be like that, and now can't bear the thought of giving up or being weak, even if everything goes wrong. And, a lot of other people also can't stand such people, either. Most people just find that kind of outlook on life depressing and painful, and -unless you're a masochist (=P)- people don't really want to be around people like that.

I realize that it's just in the stereotype of an Emo to self harm and want to die, and I also realize that not all of them are like that. BUT, most people don't know that and don't care, either. They WILL judge based on the stereotype, hence why Emo Kids are so disliked.

x

[1,000,000]

I'd like to assert something intelligent. I've attempted to assemble a respectable argument, but i've decided it smolders down to just another thing for people to hate.

'Emo' I feel is simply a part of adolescence, and rebelling against age. Also, I believe it's a big part of fashion and hardly anything more. But for one to assume is wrong.

'Emo' isn't the only disliked and misunderstood fashion, phase, fad, way of living, or whatever you may call it. Freaks, Goths, Punks, etc., are also on the same page and are often associated with being unorthodox.

People don't like what they don't know. Also, that could be considered assuming. I'm sure there aren't many people that really know why they dislike it


Edit: All of which that has been said by myself is nothing impressive

[Xeohelios]

Honestly, I don't believe people hate the kids that have the actual personality of an emo kid. I think the general hatred is generated at what are called the scene kids, the ones who ACT like they are emo. This is just from my point of view though as the terms were used alot in High School last year before I graduated. I guess you could say the real emo kids weren't really ragged on. The scene kids were basically hated by everyone.

I think everyone just doesn't realize that most of your "emo" kids are just acting that way for attention.

[Limabean]

I think people hate "emo" kids for the same reason people dislike cheerleaders, band kids, or "cool"/popular people.
Most "cool" people just look at someones clothes or the people they hang around and think that they look weird. Then all their friends will of course have to hate that person as well along with his/or her friends so they don't have to lose their popularity with that person in the school. That is why I think most people hate emos. Well that is what it is like in my school. And the band kids or drama kids most likely want to be "cool" so they dislike them too so they don't have to be uncool for liking them.

I personally like emo kids. They all are just so amusing to me. I love how they dress and act around others. Like all my friends get sad and angry a lot but I like being there for them. I like having someone needing me. XD

[Murdak]

Originally Posted by 1,000,000

I'd like to assert something intelligent. I've attempted to assemble a respectable argument, but i've decided it smolders down to just another thing for people to hate.

'Emo' I feel is simply a part of adolescence, and rebelling against age. Also, I believe it's a big part of fashion and hardly anything more. But for one to assume is wrong.

'Emo' isn't the only disliked and misunderstood fashion, phase, fad, way of living, or whatever you may call it. Freaks, Goths, Punks, etc., are also on the same page and are often associated with being unorthodox.

People don't like what they don't know. Also, that could be considered assuming. I'm sure there aren't many people that really know why they dislike it


Edit: All of which that has been said by myself is nothing impressive

I totaly agree with you 1,000,000, I mean come on, in high school most of the kids are completely unstable imotionaly I know I deffinatly was I would get mad or take offense to about everything.

Alot of the people wearing black and that have lots of piercings and such would be called emo but I never wore that sort of clothing but almost all my friends did and I just never felt like wearing that sort of clothing. But in away they were my friends cuz they were like me alot and for me the more random somone is the more they intrest me. hehe :D

[nejih94]

i dont really think its just wearing black-- and piercings are more "goth" ---but ya i get your point

[Murdak]

OMG :eek::eek::eek: someone partialy understands me thats insane I love you nejih94 your awsome!!!!

and yes I threw the "L" word out there, just for future reference I believe it means nothing unless you have met the person in real life except for a meaning of gratitude. dat nat veird ya

[nejih94]

honastly i think i think its wrong,but it doesnt fase me,i used to be emo but i converted back to a rocker

[murasaki00]

I don't believe there should be labels like "emo". No one person is one thing all of the time. So I think it's really pointless to call people things like that.