Straightedge seems to have veered in the hands of jerks to have a highly
negative connotation. Being straightedge should be a personal choice, not a religion to be forced upon others. I don't
partake in
drugs, but refuse to call myself straightedge. Straightedge has come to imply that the person has a problem with
others doing drugs. I say what they put in their body is their own damn business, just like what I put in mine is mine.
Too many people calling themselves
straightedge have done stuff like beat the shit out of a guy just because he was lighting up. Not doing
drugs can(and should) be a point of
pride in your
willpower.
Beating someone up because they have a different opinion than you should not. But those kind of
self-righteous asses have
polluted the otherwise simple idea of personal freedom from
substance abuse.
I don't drink or do drugs.
But I would be ashamed to be called straightedge.