Emos (Urban Tribe): History, Characteristics and Ideology

The We are are an urban tribe or subculture characterized by absolute disregard for the world around them, considering it an unjust, cruel and sad scene.

An urban tribe or subculture has as main characteristic to reflect values ​​that are opposed to the culture commonly extended, are groups of people discontent with the environment, who believe in a particular ideology and seek to live in function of said ideology through certain codes.

Emos (Urban Tribe): History, Characteristics and Ideology

The Emos fall into this definition of urban tribe or subculture, because they reject a society based on the superficial and commercial domain that, according to them, offers nothing but misfortune and injustice to its inhabitants.

Many consider that this subculture has become a fashion, that there are young people who look like Emos, but who do not live according to their ideology.

There have also been strong detractors, which have even led to violent scenarios and intolerance against Emos.

The Emos emerged in a curious way and their way of thinking has very specific characteristics. The following are the highlights of the urban Emo tribe:

History of the Emos

The Emo subculture is directly associated with a musical genre that emerged in the mid-1980s. This is considered a subgenre of punk, with the difference that music could be a little slower, and the lyrics of songs much more emotive, with emphasis on sadness, melancholy and love.

Emo, as musical genre, was born in Washington, United States, and the band Rites of Spring was considered the main precursor.

In 1985 this band presented an album called"Rites of Spring", which differed from punk and was part of the post-punk genre, called post-harcore.

Other bands, such as Gray Matter and Embrace, developed this genre. Given the emotionality of their lyrics, this type of music eventually adopted the name"emotional hardcore", to simplify in"emo-core".

The term Emo characterized not only the musical genre, but people who identified with this type of music and who shared with it the great emotionality in their forms of expression.

Ideology

Among the ideas that constitute the base of the Emo subculture is gender equality, and even the defense of homosexuality.

They also despise the Church as an institution: they profess no religion and do not believe in gods.

Emos also define themselves as detractors of the system, and reject the commercial sphere, especially brands and fashions. Ironically, many consider that this subculture has become a fashion.

characteristics

Given the peculiarities so particular in their appearance and behavior, it is now possible to see young people who exhibit the physical codes characteristic of the Emos, without complying with all the characteristics of this subculture.

Here are five main features of the Emo subculture:

1- It is a lifestyle

Behind the dress and the physical aspect of the Emos there is a particular view of the world.

They are usually young, between 12 and 20 years. They usually come from middle- or upper-middle-class households, and start from the conception that they are misunderstood by the society around them.

They have a position of nonconformity and at the same time of hopelessness in relation to the world. Their attitudes are a consequence of considering society as miserable, which seeks at all times to treat people with dishonor and humiliating.

2- Moody state

The Emos live in a state of constant depression. Since they see the world as injurious and despicable, they feel miserable because they are in this context, and they express deep despair at the thought that they can do nothing to reverse that reality.

They are very sensitive, which allows them to express their feelings, which are always related to sadness and discouragement.

They consider that they can not be happy living in a context like the one they live, and that they have no reason to be encouraged. They live in a state of permanent unhappiness.

3- Face covered and makeup

Both hair and makeup are very characteristic elements of the Emos. A key element in the appearance of these people is that they cover half of their face with their hair.

Some state that half the face they hide has a specific meaning. However, others indicate that it is indifferent which half of the face is covered, because the reason for this covering is the desire to hide from that world that they do not recognize and despise.

They also often wear strong makeup on the eyes, with abundant black, and are worn by both women and men.

This is because they believe in gender equality and, in addition, it is another mechanism to make reference to the darkness with which they associate the world.

4- Dark appearance

The Emos usually use shoes with platforms, to look taller, and are usually thin.

Some psychologists have linked these people with a certain predisposition to anorexy , although it has not been established as a characteristic always present in the Emos.

The colors they wear are especially black and pink. This also responds to their position regarding gender equality, since they seek to express that all people have some masculine and feminine characteristics within themselves.

Commonly, Emos have abundant tattoos and piercings. This can be seen as another reflection of their contempt for society, and of their interest in detaching themselves from it.

5- Usually self-flagging

Because they despise the world around them and perceive it as a miserable environment, Emos may have some tendency to self-flagellation.

It is common for them to have scars on different parts of the body, and even to generate them between themselves, usually in pairs.

Usually they pair up sentimentally among them, they feel good with people who share their same depressing vision of the world.

Generally this subculture is related to the tendency towards suicide, although it is not considered a fundamental characteristic of the group .

Music plays an important role in the life of the Emos. It is no coincidence, since this is an urban tribe that was generated, at first, of a musical genre.

References

  1. Rivero, A."The Emos Philosophy or fashion?"In Ecolatino. Retrieved on 6 September 2017 from Ecolatino: ecolatino.ch
  2. "Emo Culture: I know its history and its meaning"in Mundo Clubhouse. Recovered on 6 September 2017 from Mundo Clubhouse: losandes.com.ar
  3. ""Emos", the tribe of sad teenagers"(March 9, 2008) in La Nación. Retrieved on 6 September 2017 from La Nación: lanacion.com.ar
  4. Ross, J."Mexico City's Urban Tribes Go on the Warpath Against EMOS"(8 April 2008) in Counter Punch. Retrieved 6 September 2017 from Counter Punch: counterpunch.org
  5. Belmonte, C."Urban tribes: virgin field in history and fertile for interdisciplinarity"(2010) in Scielo. Retrieved on 6 September 2017 from Scielo: scielo.org.mx
  6. Fox, R."Urban Culture"in Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 6 September 2017 from Encyclopedia Britannica: britannica.com.


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