In response to the purely idiosyncratic article The Straits Times published on emo kids ("Parents, beware the emo kids" - ST, March 19), I decided to say my piece.
Warning: It's pretty lousy, because I am currently sick. Thank you.
I refer to the article, "Parents, beware of emo kids" (ST, March 19), in which so called 'emo kids' deliberately harm themselves just so that they can fit in and look cool.
I am seventeen this year and I hope to say my piece on this issue, because I have been (and still am) called 'emo'.
Why so?
Well, I have what they call an 'emo fringe', I love my black band tees and my eyeliner...and most of all, I listen to 'emo music'. I do not blame people who judge me, but I sincerely hope that this stereotype would not be warped any further, because I am very sure that many other teens like me who listen to 'emo music' and who dress 'emo' do not self mutilate like some others do.
But firstly, I think everyone should get the true meaning of the term correct. The term 'emo' actually refers to a sub-genre of rock music, not some label that teenagers these days associate it with.
Now, it sounds oh so ironic that I am saying all this when I myself dress 'emo', but the point is, I only dress this way because I feel that it is the best way to express who I really am, not because I am desperately trying to be an 'emo kid'.
Next, I completely agree with Miss Taina Teravainen ("Teens Distort Meaning of Emo", Sunday Times, March 25), that emo bands such as My Chemical Romance have been grossly misunderstood.
Personally, I am a huge fan of My Chemical Romance and they were, in fact, the ones that made my angsty teenage self so much less conflicted. They have made me a stronger, more confident person and have cheered me up whenever I was down.
The band also constantly pleads fans to not self mutilate and gives out very positive messages to respect others, a polar opposite on what some 'emo kids' interpret their songs to be. I feel that 'emo kids' take the lyrics too literally.
Lastly, I am a firm believer that 9 out of 10 of these self proclaimed 'emos' have strong, stable family backgrounds and really have nothing to complain about. Of course, I would sound like a total hypocrite if I said that I had not wallowed in self pity just for the sake of doing so, but thankfully, I managed to clear my head just in time to prevent myself from doing anything stupid.
Fitting in is the main focus during the teenage years, so I do not criticise any of these 'emos' for doing all this. I mean, who does not want to feel like they belong somewhere? But I hope that they can finally see the light and realise that self mutilation or self pity does not bring themselves anywhere and would only make their teen years ones of retardation, and not progression into finding out who they really are deep inside.
Yep. That's what I sent into the forum.
Told you it was awful.
I'm off now.
BTW Ash, ILYours more :]