Russian lawmakers say "nyet" to emo kids

When they outlaw shopping at Hot Topic, only outlaws will shop at Hot Topic.

If Russian lawmakers get their way, being emo may soon be illegal in Russia, as legislators are seeking to heavily regulate emo Web sites and ban emo and goth clothing from schools and government buildings, according to a recent story in The Moscow Times.

It’s not that the Russian government wants to police musical or fashion tastes – or lack thereof. The reasoning behind it stems from the idea that the emo “lifestyle” encourages unhealthy behavior, and encourages depression and suicide.

This is nothing new, there have always been youth-related epidemics of some sort, and music, fashion or pop culture has been targeted as being responsible. Granted, large-scale governmental bans are relatively new, but the attack on youth countercultural entertainment in the light of tragic events is not a new move by the mass media.

It’s happened with any sort of cultural expression that varies from what’s considered the norm at any given time. Since it’s inception, rock and roll was blamed for many cultural ills. Looking to the more recent, it happened with Ozzy Osbourne’s song “Suicide Solution,” blamed for the suicide of a teen in 1986. Rammstein, Marilyn Manson and KMFDM, among others, were partially blamed by the media for the Columbine Massacre. And through it all, various TV shows, movies and especially violent video games have been pointed at in these situations.

What’s ignored in these situations is that the violence, suicide or murder, was committed by someone who was troubled, who had emotional or psychological issues. Odds are, people in these situations will act out, unless they get the help that they need. In these situations, pleas for help were unnoticed or never made prior to the tragic incidents. After the fact, it’s easier, especially in the eyes of certain media outlets, to point the finger at something, anything, in order to make sense out events.

What’s also ignored is that the kids involved in these tragedies feel largely alone. Banning a place where they feel a part of something larger, with a support group and friends who share their interests, thoughts and feelings is tantamount to telling these kids that they are in fact outcasts. Attempting to destroy a musical scene doesn’t simply remove the music; it removes a network that’s been created by its listeners. It doesn’t eliminate the tragedy of the outcast youth – it creates it.

There doesn’t even need to be a tragedy to precipitate cultural backlash. Remember the punk episode of Quincy? Mass entertainment wanted to vilify something they didn’t understand, and as a result of Fear’s unorthodox performance on SNL, punk rock became a villain that was killing the spirit of American youth, at least according to Jack Klugman’s character.

Music, as a whole, has been beneficial to our society ever since Grok the caveman shouted "1-2-3-4!" and banged two sticks together in a semblance of rhythm that would later evolve into the drum parts for the Ramones’ “Warthog.” Music has provided a place for creative expression, both by the bands and by the people who found kindred spirits among other fans, whether it was at shows, clubs, record stores, school or wherever. Music has been a vehicle for social and political change. It has catalyzed political movements and united people under a common goal.

Russia may succeed in banning emo music – but Russian emo music won’t go away. Up until recently, China banned any sort of rock music that could be considered rebellious in any way. That never stopped rock bands from forming and performing clandestinely in China. The UK even banned the Sex Pistols from playing at one time, leading to the formation of SPOTS (Sex Pistols On Tour Secretly). Now the Pistols are playing sold-out reunion shows.

Outlawing emo music in Russia will force it underground, and the movement will probably gain strength. Members of emo culture will become stronger in their secrecy, and as a whole the musical movement will probably be tighter, more unified and even more innovative in their sound.

Over here, I do like to poke fun at emo for its melodrama, but that doesn’t allow room for real persecution. The recent violent outbreaks on emo kids in Mexico and this Russian attempt to ban the culture outright are against what punk, and also emo, stands for. Kids and artists will always find a way to express themselves, no matter the cost.

Regardless of who is trying to bring the hammer (or sickle) down, the bands will, as they say, play on.