christo-f Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Police crackdown as emo rock cult breaks away from 'grey masses' http://www.smh.com.au/world/police-crackdown-as--emo--rock-cult-breaks-away-from-grey-masses-20101227-19860.html December 27, 2010 - 11:00AM An Armenian follower of angst-ridden punk-rock subculture known as 'emo' looks at graffiti in Yerevan. Photo: AFP When police officers arrived at 13-year-old Masha's home, searched her room and inspected her computer, it was not because they suspected her of any crime. Her offence was simply to be a devoted follower of the angst-ridden punk-rock subculture known as 'emo', in an ex-Soviet state where pressures to conform remain strong. "It was offensive and frightening at the same time," said Masha, a schoolgirl in the Armenian capital, clearly upset by the experience. Advertisement: Story continues below Armenian followers of 'emo' embrace in Yerevan. Photo: AFP Police in Yerevan have been conducting a campaign against the capital's small but controversial emo community since the recent suicides of two teenagers who were rumoured to have been emo fans. They claim that the subculture represents a threat to young people's welfare. Officers have visited schools, searched pupils whose distinctive clothing marks them out as possible 'emos', and mounted surveillance on public places where young people gather. Several fans have been detained for questioning, despite the lack of any specific legislation against the musical genre or its followers. In a recent newspaper interview, Armenia's Chief of Police, Alik Sarkisian, claimed that emo could "damage our gene pool". "We should fight against such phenomena because they are morally harmful to our people," he said. Emo -- an abbreviation of 'emotional' -- is a more melodic and melancholy form of punk rock. It has origins in the United States but has become a well-established global subculture in recent years. Masha and her friend Ani, also 13, say they started dressing in the unconventional emo style in an attempt to stand out from what they call "the grey masses". But they now feel that they have to disguise themselves in ordinary clothes for fear of detention or harassment by other youths. "They point and laugh at us. Or even worse, they sometimes beat up our boys," Ani said. Sensationalist media reports in Europe have suggested that the gloomy lyrics of some emo songs can influence teenagers to harm themselves or attempt suicide, although fans have consistently rejected the accusation. Emo devotees in Britain and Russia staged protests two years ago against what they saw as negative stereotyping. Some people in Yerevan not only believe that emo can cause suicidal depression, but also see it as a degenerate Western influence on traditional Armenian values. Members of the youth wing of a local police association held a march against the subculture in the capital this month, carrying banners that read "No to foreign perversions!" One teacher in a Yerevan suburb, who asked not to be named, said the directors of some schools supported the police action, and had even been actively encouraging officers to search pupils who dressed unusually and check them for signs of self-harm. "We suspected one female pupil of being an emo. We invited our district policeman and the pupil's parents to come in, and explained how dangerous the consequences of this could be," the teacher said. A local human rights activist compared the police's behaviour to a Communist-era witch-hunt. "It is like the repression in Soviet times, when law enforcement agencies were chasing hippies, punks and rockers -- all those who refused to live within society's limits and be like everyone else," said Mikael Danielian, chairman of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia. But the police say they are only intervening to protect vulnerable youngsters. "We are simply doing our job," said the police colonel responsible for youth affairs, Nelli Durian. "We are conducting explanatory, preventative work among teenagers and their parents to prevent children from becoming hooligans and from thoughts of suicide." However, she said that she could not blame emo music for the reported rise in teenage suicide attempts in Armenia this year. Young fans like Masha and Ani have been worried by the anti-emo campaign, but they insist that they will not be pressured into abandoning the subculture that they love. "It is impossible to ban youth movements using repressive methods," Ani said defiantly. "We will not stop listening to our music and dressing how we like. This is my choice." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shai Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Slow news day, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christo-f Posted December 27, 2010 Author Share Posted December 27, 2010 Slow news day, huh? God, let's hope so mate. Been railed by the flu for the last 2 days and if this is the most interesting thing that happens today I'll be stoked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasfacevictm Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 I support this campaign against TPWF's whole heartedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drue_Down Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 ROK1T >>>>>ArR0wZ<<<<< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groyn shmoyn Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 something bout cops... something bout emos.... fuck both? yea. fuck both. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realism Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Twinky is gonna have to alter the travel section on his bucket list a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcs Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 yea but actually cops are bad after all. Im more comfortable in a room full of criminals than a room full of cops. Just sayin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cymatics Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 God, let's hope so mate. Been railed by the flu for the last 2 days and if this is the most interesting thing that happens today I'll be stoked. http://www.rawstory.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChickenShit Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 something bout cops... something bout emos.... fuck both? yea. fuck both. this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightmareOnElmStreet Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 did not read. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoHuxtable.. Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crocodile Tears Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 i was waiting for DAOs mug to slowly pop out then retract. damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Incognito Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 cops have cooler jobs than me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishCarBombs Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kraftone Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 MAN FUCK THE POLICE AND THE MOTHER FUCKER SAYING THAT THEY ARENT BAD . BAN THAT BITCH NIGGA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
testpattern Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 you guys think this is cool? this is fucked up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DivineMind Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 A good cop Is a dead cop Simple as that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CityonSMASH Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 So, I guess cops aren't so bad after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish meatloaf Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoHuxtable.. Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1hxDciuI44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire15 Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 FUCK THE POLICE. ANARCHY BRO! ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyViking Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Spitfire with the rahowa. and fuck Armenia. Who gives a shit about those people and their 6 emo kids that are going to kill themselves next week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaOnlyQue Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 fuck the boys nd these emo niggas . why u want niggas to care bout you if u cut yourself daily ? go cut a cop then niggas will care bout you ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcs Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 let me rephrase. I would feel more comfortable in a room full of juggalos than police just sayin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishCarBombs Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 So, I guess cops aren't so bad after all..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightmareOnElmStreet Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 I agree, fuck the police. They start by taking away the right of people the majority dislikes, then once it becomes common place they move onto you. Like pretty soon they'll say that being a wigger, wearing the baggy pants, and listening to the hip hop means that you're gonna over dose on dust and pills. Then they'll be busting down your door looking for Krink, 4 Loko, and copies of Spray Can Art. What are you gonna do then? they already bust down doors looking for krink and copies of spray can art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasfacevictm Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 No favela is safe from the long arm of the law. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPS Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christo-f Posted December 28, 2010 Author Share Posted December 28, 2010 Wait, so hang on a minute. Are you guys telling me that you don't like law enforcement officers? I'm not sure I'm hearing you correctly..... HAha, originally posted the thread because A) Armenian cops are fucking stupid enough to think a bunch of teary eyed, make up freaks are a threat to society, and, B ) Emos get picked on everywhere by everyone. However the CH0 SrZ BzNz Crew has added to the laughs now as well. Wasn't meant to be but made for a half decent little toll!! Whilst I'm no copper fanboy I would bang the hell out of that Aussie bird up there just to try and wipe that serious cop look off her face!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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