Okay, so there are two very different definitions for the label 'emo'.
First version (usually used by non-emos): Emos are attention seekers who live regular lives like every other
teenager in Britain but cannot handle the strain as well as everyone else. They say that they are individuals, yet listen to ‘emo music’, hang out in ‘emo groups’ and buy ‘emo clothes’ with their pocket money. They hang out in dark rooms generally ignoring the happy things in life and talk about how depressed they are all the
time. Most lie about cutting themselves in order for
people to feel sorry for them without actually experiencing any pain at all. Others do it as an ‘initiation’ ceremony in order to become fully emo. ‘Cutting’ is a fad – what on
earth does it help? You feel sad, so you
cut yourself to make you feel… better? They don’t appreciate what they have, and do not realise how bad other peoples' lives are in comparison to their own. Emo is just an ever-increasingly
popular ‘group’ which
people want to be part of. It is a group for kids without an identity, looking for a bit of melodrama and ‘deeper levels of understanding’. To be honest, the kids who REALLY have a life not worth living aren’t even in the emo club – they just try to get through each day until it gets better.
Second version (usually used by TRUE emos – i.e. those who actually have a reason to be depressed): Kids who have had the misfortune to go through circumstances which are incredibly depressing. For example, parental divorce,
death of a loved one, and loneliness. They listen to music which explains how they feel, enjoy hanging around with
people who understand how they feel, and buy clothes that express to the world about how they feel. Only some kids
cut themselves. Cutting can become addictive, and it distracts from the inner pain. It can be hard when youre labelled in the street because of what you wear, and can sometimes make depression worse. Being a ‘half-emo’ can also mean that you just like black and emo clothes and haircuts, and enjoy gigs and mosh pits. Some
people that you like because theyre genuinely nice people, could be emo, and fun to hang around with.
Nearly every
single teenager has wanted some form of attention or feeling of belonging at some
time or other, and being emo could be the solution to some. Don’t
hate people because of what they are labelled. Get to know them – they may be more like you than you think.
Person: 'Hey dude, look over there, some damn emos with their black hoodies and weird hair... jeez
man theyre such attention seekers'
Friend: 'Err... you own a black hoodie, and all they've done is grown their hair long,
man.'
Person:'Umm...
oh be quiet, fool'
Cheerleader:'Oh my god, that girl is like, SOO weird - she is like, always DEPRESSED and shit!'
Friend:'Weren't you crying on the phone to me the other night because your
boyfriend dumped you? You seemed pretty depressed then...'
Cheerleader:'Oh shuttup'
