Why I don't like emo kids
It's really confusing to me as to why I don't like emo kids. An obvious answer is that all of my friends dislike them, and so does the general population of people who aren't (so they say) emo, which would make me in effect a blind follower of other people's beliefs. But I refuse to believe that I'm that easily influenced, so I'm deciding to think out my thoughts via livejournal.
If I can manage it, this will be the format of most of my posts (if indeed I decide to write any) from now on. I've grown rather tired of just recounting the day's events, anyway. Sure, I can go on for pages on the subject, but it's rather tiresome to read and when I'm looking back on these things I just skip through them anyway.
So anyway. It's really rather hard to categorize someone as emo, when you get technical. You could say an emo kid is someone who writes depressing poetry, but then you'd have to call classical authors emo. Then we'd have the argument that classical authors were the "true" creators of emo, which is simply absurd. You could also say that an emo kid always complains that no one understands him and doesn't get along with anyone at school. Well, ok, that's EVERYONE at some point in their lives. So in effect that one throws everyone into the emo pool. See what I mean?
I'm a big fan of the adage that emo kids listen to depressing, self-pitying music. If that's the case, then I'm pretty freaking emo since a large amount of my music is pretty depressing and/or angry. Linkin Park, for example, can be considered an emo band because they have angry music about pain and depression. Also, anyone who listens to Linkin Park should not be given a knife because they will be tempted to cut themselves with it (I've actually been accused of being a cutter for listening to Linkin Park). Ah yes, emo kids are suicidal! That's a good stereotype. But anyway, whenever I hear that kind of remark I throw up the offering that Metallica is also emo along the same standards. You know, angry music? Depression, pain? Hmm, let's think of other bands that are angry, pained and depressing...Disturbed. Killswitch Engage. Taproot. Tool. Chevelle. Slayer. In Flames. I could go on. Pretty much any hard rock/metal band out there is emo, then.
I should get off the music line before I get carried away. I guess you could call it a passion of mine, critiquing music. At least, music I like. Which is rock of pretty much all sorts.
So, back on track here, I'm going to classify an emo kid (male) as a person who exhibits the following behaviors:
-Long, dyed black hair
-Sideways wool cap, like the one that guy from Fall Out Boy wears
-Fingerless gloves (sometimes with bands such as The Used written on the back)
-70's style Converse sneakers
-Skintight jeans
-Black-painted fingernails
-Studded belt
-Black/brown skintight hoody, possibly with video game labels on it
If I see anyone looking like the above, I immediately judge them. It's like a reflex or something, and I don't know why. I have seen plenty of these people in my old high school, and for some reason they always seem to be acting the same way. Always pissed off at their mom, saying their teacher hates them, blaming someone else for their problems, hanging out in small groups in the corners of hallways, attempting to make fun of the athletes walking past. I used to have some of these people as friends, so I can attest to their attitudes. And I've come to realize that, from what I've experienced, these kids are whiny, selfish twerps who make excuses for why they have such a crappy attitude towards the world. They're socially awkward, which isn't a problem in itself, but they make excuses for this as well, saying no one understands them. Well, ok, if you stood in the corner and didn't say anything and when I asked you a question, you reply with a smart-ass attitude and tried to make it look like you didn't care, I would think you were a jerk. So in your world, I don't understand you. Well, tough, buddy, you gotta come halfway with these things.
In conclusion: I don't like emo kids because they are bad-spirited people. They don't try to be friendly, they act like all their faults are the problems of someone else and they whine about it ALL THE FREAKING TIME. Then, they try to look like members of popular emo bands because it's "trendy" and maybe then they'll be accepted. Those are true emo kids. Everyone's got emo tendencies, sure, but these kids are the ones who make a bad name of it all. And sorry, if you dress like an emo kid, I'm going to judge you. Initially, at least. Until I talk to you and find out you're actually pretty nice and not a jerk who doesn't care about the world.
Well, that was a good use of 20 minutes.
If I can manage it, this will be the format of most of my posts (if indeed I decide to write any) from now on. I've grown rather tired of just recounting the day's events, anyway. Sure, I can go on for pages on the subject, but it's rather tiresome to read and when I'm looking back on these things I just skip through them anyway.
So anyway. It's really rather hard to categorize someone as emo, when you get technical. You could say an emo kid is someone who writes depressing poetry, but then you'd have to call classical authors emo. Then we'd have the argument that classical authors were the "true" creators of emo, which is simply absurd. You could also say that an emo kid always complains that no one understands him and doesn't get along with anyone at school. Well, ok, that's EVERYONE at some point in their lives. So in effect that one throws everyone into the emo pool. See what I mean?
I'm a big fan of the adage that emo kids listen to depressing, self-pitying music. If that's the case, then I'm pretty freaking emo since a large amount of my music is pretty depressing and/or angry. Linkin Park, for example, can be considered an emo band because they have angry music about pain and depression. Also, anyone who listens to Linkin Park should not be given a knife because they will be tempted to cut themselves with it (I've actually been accused of being a cutter for listening to Linkin Park). Ah yes, emo kids are suicidal! That's a good stereotype. But anyway, whenever I hear that kind of remark I throw up the offering that Metallica is also emo along the same standards. You know, angry music? Depression, pain? Hmm, let's think of other bands that are angry, pained and depressing...Disturbed. Killswitch Engage. Taproot. Tool. Chevelle. Slayer. In Flames. I could go on. Pretty much any hard rock/metal band out there is emo, then.
I should get off the music line before I get carried away. I guess you could call it a passion of mine, critiquing music. At least, music I like. Which is rock of pretty much all sorts.
So, back on track here, I'm going to classify an emo kid (male) as a person who exhibits the following behaviors:
-Long, dyed black hair
-Sideways wool cap, like the one that guy from Fall Out Boy wears
-Fingerless gloves (sometimes with bands such as The Used written on the back)
-70's style Converse sneakers
-Skintight jeans
-Black-painted fingernails
-Studded belt
-Black/brown skintight hoody, possibly with video game labels on it
If I see anyone looking like the above, I immediately judge them. It's like a reflex or something, and I don't know why. I have seen plenty of these people in my old high school, and for some reason they always seem to be acting the same way. Always pissed off at their mom, saying their teacher hates them, blaming someone else for their problems, hanging out in small groups in the corners of hallways, attempting to make fun of the athletes walking past. I used to have some of these people as friends, so I can attest to their attitudes. And I've come to realize that, from what I've experienced, these kids are whiny, selfish twerps who make excuses for why they have such a crappy attitude towards the world. They're socially awkward, which isn't a problem in itself, but they make excuses for this as well, saying no one understands them. Well, ok, if you stood in the corner and didn't say anything and when I asked you a question, you reply with a smart-ass attitude and tried to make it look like you didn't care, I would think you were a jerk. So in your world, I don't understand you. Well, tough, buddy, you gotta come halfway with these things.
In conclusion: I don't like emo kids because they are bad-spirited people. They don't try to be friendly, they act like all their faults are the problems of someone else and they whine about it ALL THE FREAKING TIME. Then, they try to look like members of popular emo bands because it's "trendy" and maybe then they'll be accepted. Those are true emo kids. Everyone's got emo tendencies, sure, but these kids are the ones who make a bad name of it all. And sorry, if you dress like an emo kid, I'm going to judge you. Initially, at least. Until I talk to you and find out you're actually pretty nice and not a jerk who doesn't care about the world.
Well, that was a good use of 20 minutes.