The Collegian

Issue date: 10/3/06 Section: News

The emo revolution is very odd to me. From what I know, emo is more than the form-fitting, ankle-high jeans and punk band t-shirts. It is an attitude, a depressing attitude. This is what confuses me.

Wikipedia.org defines emo as "a feeling of depression, alluding to the association of depression with the 'emo' subculture."

Part of this subculture is the style of dress. "Commonly seen styles include straight, dark colored hair, either black, red, multi-colored which covers one eye, males wearing pants tailored for females…and dark make-up on males and females. A common accessory for both males and females is glasses with a dark coloured (usually black), thick rim, a style sometimes even worn by persons who do not require corrective eye-wear."

For these "depressed" emo kids, punk music is the way to go and at the center of the punk scene is Hot Topic. It costs $20-$25 for a t-shirt. You know what? I'd be depressed about that too. But I can get six t-shirts for that same amount from Foot Locker. I'm good.

Most of the customers of Hot Topic are teenagers and preteens who are on allowance from their parents who are very well endowed. Kids with rich Mommies and Daddies should not be depressed. Stick them in poverty and let them feel depression.

Another thing: why are all emo kids skinny as a rail? I have never seen an average- or large-sized person have emo tendencies. Oppression against the fat kid! Anyway, moving on.

What's odd is emo has become increasingly popular. I find it hard to believe that the masses are this type of depressed. Furthermore, how can a form of depression start to become popular?

Here is my biggest gripe about emo: every time I turn on MTV, I see another punk band dressing emo. Whether it is Panic! At the Disco, AFI, Green Day, or any number of punk bands, emo has become mainstream and it has become a fad. How can you be depressed while doing what you love and making millions? Personally, I'd love it.

What I hear is that Green Day aren't punk anymore. Fifteen years ago when they were getting started, they had very little money and were just hoping to get their big break. Now, they are multi-millionaires and have nothing to be depressed or emo about anymore.

Emo kids need to get over the fact that some of their former regime moved on and move on themselves. Depression a fad? Well, I guess anything can be a fad. Anyway, cheer up emo kid.

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