First “The Man” says kids in Michigan can’t wear sagging pants, now, the Russian government is going to make emo and goth music illegal. Banning music and fashion styles? What century are we in?
Calling the emo/goth lifestyle “a dangerous teen trend”, the Russian government is drafting a proposal that will regulate emo websites and ban the black clad kids from schools and government buildings. The “Government Strategy In The Sphere Of Spiritual And Ethical Education” bill aims to crush the emo subculture, calling it a “social danger” and “a threat to national stability”.
This bill is being developed partially in reaction to the recent suicide of British teenager Hannah Bond. Her death was questionably linked to the teenager’s following of emo band “My Chemical Romance”. Critics of the emo music and lifestyle feel the music’s dark imagery and themes of sadness and despair lead to a preoccupation with death and suicide.
A psychologist interviewed by the Moscow Times countered this fear mongering with a logical perspective: “Suicide is not a symptom of emo culture. I work with other teens too, and every group has emotionally troubled kids.”
[via Kerrang!]
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Good idea.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I was a wee teenager listening to the Cure’s “Faith” album, some sisters of mercy and other sundry depressing music, arguably much more psychologically damaging then most emo. I also was a black-clad gloom-cookie. (but somewhere deep inside I was content) If the government had banned my music and clothing style, then I’d really have a reason to reach the bottom and would have only then considered killing myself.. could you imagine being a sullen teen back then, with only John Cougar Mellencamp and Prince to listen to??
July 26th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
its a bad idea really because you always get teens that have issues no matter what music they listen to. Emo and goth music is just a way for teens to relate to life it may actually be that this music helps them find their feet. With out it teens are just going to find other ways to relate to each other and todays way of life. I mean if a kid is going to kill themselves it will be when they have nothing to identify themselves with. if they have no music to do it with its just going to push those personalities to the edge or they will be more rebellious than ever. Besides I’m a 15 year old and I hang out with alot of emos or goths and most of them are pretty much like everybody else they have their moments when they’re are happy and they have their moments when they’re down. plus most the teens that do self harm or are sucidial don’t even listen to emo or goth music. its their parents that should be aware of how their kids are feeling and keep tabs on them. If your going to pick on those genres of music you might as well think about the influence of rap and hip hop have on youth which I think the music they’re sending has alot more impact on kids than emo or goth music!
August 17th, 2008 at 12:07 am
When you look at the direction most subcultures gravitate to; drop out, get stoned, do shit and hurt people it is amazing the Russian government fails to recognize the positive outcome of goth culture. Then again it is hard to run an authoritarian state with thinking creative citizens who won’t buy into your propaganda. The stupid are much easier to govern you just need a bigger policing budget.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:25 am
haha – too funny! Check this out for even more: emo !!
October 24th, 2008 at 12:16 am
im just happy im not in russia..sheesh i think thats the most ridiculous thing the government can do!?!? lykk wtf?!? cmon some kids just love the style!!! i love the style but its not lyk i cut myself they shouldn’t judge kids by the way they dress…plus emo goths,and everyone else in this world have rights to do anything they want!! no matter who u are what u do everyone has rights!!….kids in russia that like the style or still want to dress emo/goth shouldn’t break the law but..they should come to U.S.A or Canada to dress however they want to.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
fuck that y cant we bann preappy shit that is the hole reasom we a whores and sluts bann the color pink or lil pink mini skirts or aripostel and abrcrombie i bet emo kids will turn out way bettar than preepy bitches
January 24th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
About time someone banned emo music. Its rubbish
March 25th, 2009 at 8:43 am
what r they going to listen to to get happy..?
like i was “emo” once and i listed to alot of metel and acustic music and it mad me happy and feel wanted..<3
March 26th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
me and my emo band r going to go to russia and play our music if they try 2 stop us we will blow the capitol up lol……… jk peace all my emo buds
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 am