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Russia Goes After Emo
Fearing for teens, Duma debates legislation to outlaw fashion, monitor websites
By Harry Kimball
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Posted Jul 24, 08 3:55 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Fearing a threat to the wellbeing of its youth, the Russian Duma is going after what it sees as Public Enemy No. 1—emo. Lawmakers are debating legislation to ban all signs of emo culture—an offshoot of punk music—from schools and government buildings, the Guardian reports. Lawmakers see the trademark skinny jeans, black lipstick, and outré hairdos as “dangerous teen trends” that could lead to antisocial behavior and suicide.
The kids themselves are flabbergasted, if typically dour. One Russian musician noted that “expressing psychological emotions is not forbidden by law.” Well, not yet. Legislators seemed genuinely concerned. “The point of the bill is so that by 2020, Moscow will have someone to rule its government.”