The EMO-lution

My friends and I decided to take a little tour at People's park after dinner a few weeks ago. While we were having the tour, I noticed this three teenage boys with this weird skinny black jeans and spiky hairs. I asked them if they could pose for a picture for me which, they readily agreed. In fact, they were so eager to pose for more! I asked them what's the hair and outfit was all about. They told me that it's an Emo look and that's their form of self-expression. They explained further that this is the kind of group they wanted to belong with, different from others like hip-hop or simply being normal.

According to Wiki, Emo (pronounced /ˈiːmoʊ/) is a style of rock music typically characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. It's origin was during the 1980's where some hardcore punk made music as a political reactions and self-expressions. The term Emo was believed to be meant as emotional hardcore although it's exact origin is uncertain. Today, it's popularity seemed to be rising mainly because of the advent of some rock bands such as My chemical Romance and Fall-out boy and other bands classified as emo's.

Although Emo culture is rising and more young people are fascinated by this, there has been criticism that it is some of the causes of suicides among teenagers. The very expressive lyrics of the songs which typically sad and very emotional tends to promote suicides and other self-destruction methods. Even the fashion statement are being criticized and laughed at. From the black eye-shadows to tight jeans and Chuck Taylor sneakers which normally "normal" people don't wear were being eyed at and worse, these kids are labeled as deviant and juveniles.

As I see those boys go after thanking me for taking their pics, I realized that they, different as what they wanted to be, are just normal teenagers. They were in this stage of identity crises and maybe just trying to be rebellious. I don't find their looks funny or their culture different. In fact, the truth is, the human culture has just evolved adding another specie. This an Emo-lution and every one of us should respect each of them.