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Criminalizing Emo: Russia Looking To Ban Goth And Emo Music
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by Jordan Yerman | July 27, 2008 at 09:51 am
3412 views | 5 Recommendations | 13 comments
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Russian Parliament is apparently in the process of drafting a bill to outlaw goth and emo music. Evidently they're operating under the misconception that, by eliminating the outlet for negative feelings, they will somehow be eliminating the feelings themselves.
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.
The newspaper interviewed one of the bill's authors, Igor Ponkin from the Russian Interior Ministry's Public Oversight Council. Ponkin called emo a "social danger" and "a threat to national stability" and said the bill is a reaction to teen suicides such as the tragic death of British teenager Hannah Bond.
"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 history of modern culture is littered with examples of older generations freaking out and having moral panics concerning the culture of younger generations. In the US, while much of the focus these days is on video games and social networks, in the past it's included certain types of music and comic books as being threats to children.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 10:04 on July 27th, 2008
jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff. This type of measure would just drive the music underground. Emo (from = "emotional") is a label applied in retrospect half the time, and music by its very nature plays on the emotions, especially singer-songwriter stuff, which is half the appeal!
Am I missing something here, as Russia is renowned for its playwrights and poets? You could say Solzenitzhin, Tolstoy, Pushkin, et al were "Emo"
at 10:13 on July 27th, 2008
Yeah, Maxim Gorky and Anton Chekhov would be most unimpressed by this proposed law.
at 09:11 on July 28th, 2008
Hmm, good article, but i am ashamed that people would ban others from being unique, diffrent. The things i just dont understand about this, is that... "emos" do not show negative feelings/attitudes. How do i know? Well, that is because i am close with my towns emo/goth teens. This lil group, is actually the happiest people i know. Its only that they are extreamly shy when it comes to others, and they like to feel diffrent. There is nothing wrong with this. And about the bands that have to be banned.. Bands that would be considered "emo" are very artistic people. Thats where most of the amazing poets come from these days, through lyrics in detail... voice. And if you really think about it.. most artists/bands that wont be banned, write lyrics about either, sexual activity.. or drugs. "emo" music is lyrics about love, life, and the world. I just think this is the dumbest idea i have ever heard, to ban individuality. I've always been taught that you should be your own person.. and Russia is trying to demolish that idea..
at 22:08 on August 1st, 2008
im sorry, but i hate emos. Why try to be different on purpose. be yourself. I wish the US would pass a bill banning all the emos from dressing the way they do, I might commit homocide if they dont soon. If you are happy and outgoing, why are you emo! That means your just pretending to be something that you arnt. Also for real emos, grow the hell up. Honestly stop blaming the world for your problems. "DADDY NEVER LOVED ME" shut up. Whenever i see an emo person i laugh. Its like they go to the store and think "hmm what should i wear to let everyone know that i am depressed and want to be different, hey i should go to hot topic!". Stop being emo, stop being gothic, and grow the hell up
at 08:38 on August 17th, 2008
WOW. no your wronge. Not all "emos" go to hot topic and get clothing. Poeple that do do that are poseurs. If you were to classify yourslef as an emo, youd be unique and get clothing from everwhere O..O i know so many kids that listen to hardcore music, were deep blackeyeliner, have issues with life, yet they were HOLLISTER gawd your a dumba
at 05:51 on August 2nd, 2008
@BOB SAGET: I'm not ready to live in a world where everyone shops at the Gap. If you don't like emos, then that's cool. Just don't hang out with them. Simple. That's what I do. It's just not my place to tell everyone else how to dress and act.
at 14:42 on August 2nd, 2008
FUCK THE GAP.
at 17:46 on August 3rd, 2008
Wow, she was just trying to use an example that is very obvious it couldn't possibly ever...EVER...be emo. Instead of giving a valid argument, you just attempted to offend someone instead because you're happy being closed-minded. Even if someone isn't arguing for or against it, you're trying to shut out everyone else's ideas....That's blind ignorance. I'd bet, no matter what store was listed, you would've responded with the same thing.
Now aside from that, and back on topic - obviously emo culture is annoying. Bad hairstyles, tight jeans on...GUYS....Ugh, but you know what, that's their choice. We don't have to like it, but we aren't the ones wearing it. But ultimately, keyword here is, it is a CHOICE people, and that is will and freedom. The U.S. at least trys to be all about people being free - free to dress and act as you will...It's all about freedom. And if you start banning people because of the way they act or dress...You're no better than the Nazis in WWII.
at 16:56 on September 4th, 2008
@ BOB SAGET. wtf is your problem? you really need to CALM DOWN. If YOU dont like emos, then thats YOUR problem. then dont talk to them or bother them. god, its that simple. geeze! wanna know something?? I wear black. what are you gonna do about it?? its MY decision. NOT YOURS. so DONT WORRY ABOUT IT! i mean, wooow. seriously. god.
at 16:47 on September 4th, 2008
This is frekin rediculous. I mean, banning something that people THINK will make you wanna kill yourself is totally wrong. First off, its not the MUSIC that makes you wanna do that. Its people. As in students and adults. Students being the totally evil people that they are. Kids are cruel. Thats basecally all there is. If you dont like how people dress or act or feel, KEEP. IT. TO. YOURSELF. Its that simple. And what the hell is russia gonna do. Arrest me if i wear black at all? I mean, seriously. Thats stupid. and all of you who are reading this, if any of you dont like emo kids or kids that wear black, thats not your problem. YOU dont need to worry about how other people look. its how they express themselves. YOUR not the one wearing the clothes or listening to music.
at 17:25 on October 19th, 2008
jeez, that's plain stupid.
i know our government IS dumb, which government isn't??
but THAT dumb...
..guys, are you sure that's not a hoax?
if they're REALLY gonna ban emos, i think i'm gonna become one XD
at 12:40 on February 25th, 2009
There are two Worlds:
USA and Occidental Europe, where being emo, goth, gay, and drug user, is something to be proud of, and something to be made as public as possible. Crime in general is also well tolerated (and in some countries, even something to feel proud about). And gay marriage, something everyone should look forward to.
Russia and China, where being emo, goth, gay, and drug user, is ussually something not to be proud of, and those doing those practices ussually try to do so away from public society. Crime, in general, is something that is ussually not well tolerated either, unless criminals are part of a mafia, and even then, they must follow some rules.
Two worlds, one going towards such high levels of tolerance, that it can actually be counterproductive. The other world, is goign toward such high levels of intolerance, that it can also be counterproductive.
at 08:07 on March 13th, 2009
How pathetic! This is persuction! :(:(