"Emo" and "Goth" Trends To Be Banned In Russia

[masochist 111]

According to an article in Kerrang! Magazine, an upcoming bill that is expected to pass in Russia will outlaw "Emo" and "Goth" music and clothing, with the reasoning that these trends are "a 'social danger' and 'a threat to national stability'."

Last month a parliamentary committee was convened to discuss a draft proposal of the Russian government's Government Strategy In The Sphere Of Spiritual And Ethical Education bill, the details of which were leaked to The Moscow Times. The newspaper subsequently reported that, among other things, the draft bill dubbed the musical movements a "dangerous teen trend" and called for emo and goth websites to be regulated and young people dressing like emos or goths to be banned from entering schools and government buildings.quote>

[The article on Kerrang!'s website]

Perhaps even more than seeing the reaction American teens will have to this news, I'm interested in seeing how the government will define exactly what "emo" and "goth" music and clothing is...

[BlackStar 0]

...yeh, because the stereotypical rap culture creates NO social issues whatsoever.

If you want to stoop so low as to scrape stereotypes, you could say that goths and emos aren't really creating any problems. Stereotypically, they're more likely to harm themselves than others.

I'm using stereotype with strong emphasis here.

[kawan 6]

"Dangerous teen trend"? Goths and emos are in their own little world. Russia is a funny country...

But this may be good news for the UK. The government could introduce a new law using this as a model. A law to ban all chavs. Oh, we can only dream!

[saltandsauce 0]

emos are annoying people who look for problems they don't have when the only one is that they are middle clsss and have no identity

God bless mother russia

[Easy Bakes 253]

Thier going to ban depresing music?

Probably be better off banning blondy girly pop music.

[Patricius Maximus 236]

The state has no right to regulate or purge social trends such as these. It is an assault on individual freedom and the right to an identity.

For example, the Hippie movement died out on it's own without a state-sponsored purge.

A purge by the state can backfire, inflating the movement instead of letting it die out on it's own.

Also, how will not letting emos and goths enter government buildings suppress the movement? It makes no sense.

I cannot comprehend why people are condoning this measure. Has your sense of individual rights been diluted by social stigma? 

Emos and Goths have the same rights as everyone else. Has the concept of being equal under the law slipped your mind?

[BurroDiablo 222]

Ah, you can't teach an old dog new tricks... Honestly... tackling a subculture of introverted poets and people who cry alot? Get your priorities straight.

[fukuda 351]

"Government Strategy In The Sphere Of Spiritual And Ethical Education bill"

Fear bills with such a horrid name.

[Duke87 1,070]

Ah, Russia.

What can I say? They yearn for the old days when they were a world power. They associate the fall of communism with their fall from power. So you can understand why a lot of them might like to go back to more communist policies.

Oh well. Their loss.

[BurroDiablo 222]

Originally posted by: Duke87 Ah, Russia.

What can I say? They yearn for the old days when they were a world power. They associate the fall of communism with their fall from power. So you can understand why a lot of them might like to go back to more communist policies.

Oh well. Their loss.quote>

These aren't Communist policies, thier basic freedom infringements, the such that any dictatoral government could dish out (like Iran). An example of a Communist policy would be taking control of all production and handing it over to the workers, not outlawing certain types of clothes and music.

[Cockatoo 2,256]

Hua, I didn't know Russia was still a communist nation!

But don't get me wrong, Goth and Emo stuff, particularly 'scream-o' music is killing the music of today. Bring back Rock and Roll!

It's depressing, ban it I say!... But it shouldn’t be up to the government to do that.

[Eastwinn 6]

What bands, for example, would they be banning?

[Karabina 0]

emos are inoffensive.

I don't understand why everybody is coming out with this prejudice

just let emos be emos and goths likewise.

I'm emo...

 these guys in russia are funny LMFAO

Give Em Hell!!!

i'm outta here

[coolotter88 2]

Emo subculture is associated with gayness in some countries, maybe it's just that russians don't like gay people.

[hamsterTK 93]

^^^they indeed don't, but I figured they were getting over that by now

Russia doesnt like goths? W T F? That's an oxymoron. They can't ban themselves...It's like America banning country stuff?!

[hym 358]

Originally posted by: Karabina

I don't understand why everybody is coming out with this prejudicequote>

I believe I can answer that with three words:  basic human instinct.  Emos/Goths look different than most people, so some members of society over-react.

I know adults that say the whole "totally black clothes and black makeup and all that" fashion style is repulsive, that teenagers that dress that way are uncivilized, have some sort of mental problem, etc.  Utimately, what those opinions boil down to is a negative disposition against someone or something that is unlike what the adult is used to. 

I don't see how this is much different from the ancient Roman government blaming the burning of Rome on religious minorities that they knew could be painted in a bad light.  In both cases, the government took an unfortunate situation (the burning of Rome and the present state of Russia, respectively), blamed it on a group of people for which there was little evidence against them, but plenty of public distrust, and used them as the scapegoat.  Most reasonable people accept that there is no reason to assume that all Emos/Goths are vandals, but reason isn't being used here.

I will say that if someone can produce hard evidence that most Emo/Goth individuals in Russia are criminals, one might be able to make a case for the Russian crackdown.  However, I suspect that evidence isn't to be found.

[fukuda 351]

Originally posted by: Duke87 Ah, Russia.

What can I say? They yearn for the old days when they were a world power. They associate the fall of communism with their fall from power. So you can understand why a lot of them might like to go back to more communist policies.

Oh well. Their loss.quote>

This is another step into authoritarianism, but what some russian people seem to want revived is not communism, it's the Tsar Empire. Putin and the government actually seem to enshrine the tsar era, for instance, a recent survey on russian people about who they think is the most relevant person in Russia's history reported interesting results, instead of chosing Stalin or Lenin (as it would sound logical) they chose... Nikolai II (the last tsar)....

They actually seem to view the communist revolution as their fall from power.

[Red1530 1]

I think the Russians must not understand what freedom of expression is.  It looks like Russia is going back to its Soviet ways minus the economic control.  Heck they even want to place bombers in Cuba.

[____----____ 37]

as annoying and luaghable as emo and goth kids are, this is ridiculous

[nazaguy 0]

Finally, a country using stupidly oppressive laws for good! Looks like the a evil/benevolent dictatorship really does exist! Next can they get around to banning clip shows (their a waste of time). Or how about freedom of expression. That one always annoyed me....

[panthersimcity4 162]

Wow, emos banned in Russia? Get me a visa!

Maybe a counter-force of emo 13-year-olds will invade Russia with their bloody razorblades and annoying music... Prepare for WWIII!

Seriously though, I think totalitarianist policies have really been an entity in Russia's governmental history. I mean, the Communist government was exactly like the Tsars only painted as "Social Justice"

[balkair 6]

agree with u there hai xD and the other diffrence was that with the tsar 1% of the population was weatly and 99% starving, whereas with the commies 2% was wealthy and 98% starving

but anyway, i dont think there's something wrong with emos. and dont tell me u believe they cut themselves and so on... u have to be a retard to cut yourself...

[autoVino 26]

Originally posted by: fukuda

Originally posted by: Duke87 Ah, Russia.

What can I say? They yearn for the old days when they were a world power. They associate the fall of communism with their fall from power. So you can understand why a lot of them might like to go back to more communist policies.

Oh well. Their loss.quote>

This is another step into authoritarianism, but what some russian people seem to want revived is not communism, it's the Tsar Empire. Putin and the government actually seem to enshrine the tsar era, for instance, a recent survey on russian people about who they think is the most relevant person in Russia's history reported interesting results, instead of chosing Stalin or Lenin (as it would sound logical) they chose... Nikolai II (the last tsar)....

They actually seem to view the communist revolution as their fall from power.quote>

 

hmm... I felt that russia had the same attitude when I visited there.  The people I met were generally against communism and quite strongly) yet for a more authoritarian system and capatalism.

I've also heard from some people I talked to in Russia that the "emo" or "Goth" movement is a lot stronger in Russia, europe, etc (Finland was largely mentioned) than America, and their culture may be more intensified than in America (just a speculation).  There may be some backbone for this movement.

[hym 358]

and dont tell me u believe they cut themselves and so on... u have to be a retard to cut yourself...quote>

Don't be so quick to make such a claim.  There are "Emos" that cut themselves (not all do), and there are people who cut themselves and aren't retards.  Someone that engages in cutting isn't a retard; rather, he/she is an individual in need of support, not condemnation.

[The_Dalai_Llama 15]

Another hit for freedom of expression... but it's Russia so it's not a surprise.  I would like to see a world without emos, but I'd rather see the fad die than a forced ban.

[Ntq€310 1]

though i honestly dont like the general emo and gothic population, really if anything should be outlawed it should be rap. But really a hit for freedom.

[Wyldkat_Murray 0]

Originally posted by: Ntq$310 though i honestly dont like the general emo and gothic population, really if anything should be outlawed it should be rap. But really a hit for freedom.quote>

Some bars here in the US have rules that sort of serve the same function as banning rap, or at least the culture around it.  They just ban people wearing pure white sneakers, gold chains, and the like.  Some cried that it discriminates against black people, but I noticed there are just as many black people in these bars, but they're the ones who don't like that culture either.

As much as I wish someone would tell goths and emos to get over themselves (and I used to be gothic myself), I agree that a gov't ban is excessive.  Always fun to give them ammunition for horrible poetry and bland songs, though.

[Eastwinn 6]

I'm getting the feeling that some people in this thread don't know that actual meaning of "emo." (Modern meaning, not the 90's one.) "Emo" is a social scene intertwined with a music scene. "Emos" do not necessarily cut themselves. Cutting yourself is often a method used to by people with varying levels of depression of distracting themselves from their problems. It's similar to when you step on your own foot to distract yourself from a painful bee string. The "Emo" music scene consists of many bands like:

Panic! at the Disco

Fall Out Boy

30 Seconds to Mars

From First to Last (This band is a "screamo" band, "emo" with harsh vocals)

Just wanted to clear that up.

[autoVino 26]

Originally posted by: Eastwinn I'm getting the feeling that some people in this thread don't know that actual meaning of "emo." (Modern meaning, not the 90's one.) "Emo" is a social scene intertwined with a music scene. "Emos" do not necessarily cut themselves. Cutting yourself is often a method used to by people with varying levels of depression of distracting themselves from their problems. It's similar to when you step on your own foot to distract yourself from a painful bee string. The "Emo" music scene consists of many bands like:

Panic! at the Disco

Fall Out Boy

30 Seconds to Mars

From First to Last (This band is a "screamo" band, "emo" with harsh vocals)

Just wanted to clear that up.quote>

 

"This type of behaviour is a crucial part of emo ideology," said Ponkin. "Of course there are emo teens who just listen to their music. But our actions are not directed at them but rather at those who also hurt themselves, commit suicide and promote those acts."

The targets of this proposed act seem to fit the "suicidal" definition that this thread promotes.

[Shingure 56]

Is it me or does it sound like they are blaming the Emo subculture as one that promotes suicide.

Honestly it isn't the Emo culture , It's the general surroundings.

Some people say that Russia is generally depressing by it'self , If that's the case then you can ban "Happy" The clown. The government needs to get it's priorities straight. I mean Russia is following after the US , Not getting their priorities or facts straight. Iam more worried about international relations than I am about the Emo subculture. And I know that if Americans had it their way ( being one ) That they would Ban the "hip hop" subculture . those in the UK would ban Chavs and so on and so forth. Just because a group of people are not in popular interest doesnt mean you have to make a law that says to be this that and the third because that would be making you lie to yourself if that is what you are. Does anyone follow me?