Emo kids the world over are apparently struggling in their fight to be accepted. And hugged. Emo kids – for those of you not in the know – are the tight-black jean and heavy eyeliner wearing pseudo-depressed kids that listen to equally depressing music and take sad pictures of themselves to post on their MySpace pages. Emo is slang for emotional. There’s a lot more to it than that (apparently) but there’s a quick run-down of the subculture for you. More and more often Emo kids have been the target of bullies in schools – picked on for their sensitive natures. Apparently the desire to beat up kids that cry too easily is universal, as Emo kids in Mexico and Chile are getting the crap beaten out of them.

A wave of violence against emo kids is spreading across Mexico, with the music fans being attacked by mobs in the street, and further threats of large-scale attacks in Tijuana during the forthcoming Feria de San Marcos, the annual national fair. The attacks are reportedly coming from metal, punk and rockabilly music fans who dislike the emo look and attitude, according to LA Weekly’s Daniel Hernandez.

The violent attacks are partly being blamed on an on-air rant by ‘Televisa’ TV personality Kristoff who recently called emo ‘f*#&ing bullshit’. Kristoff subsequently called for an end to the violence but it is thought he make take the fall if the government blames Televisa for the trouble. On March 7 around 800 young people in the city of Querataro amassed against emos in the city resulting in many violent attacks, and a week later a similar incident occurred in Mexico City. Emos in both cities responded to the attacks by marching peacefully through the center of the cities.

[From NME]

Emo kids in Chile are also being beaten up for the same reason. I’m a big fan of the peaceful protest, but in most cases, if bullies want beat you up, they’re going to beat you up. Believe me, ignoring them because your mom told you that’s the best route rarely works. Though it might lesson the bullying a bit, who knows. I know they’re dorks – and way too into looking deep and sad when they’re the same as everyone else – but I feel badly for the emo kids. Most of them are just trying out different personas to see what works for them. Give them a year and they’ll be back to wearing khakis. Okay maybe not, but they probably will be less annoying. Maybe. Hopefully. Seriously though, kids are so into their music that they have to beat up other kids for being into a difference scene? That’s ridiculous. Back in my day, we had worthy feuds. East Coast versus West Coast, now that was music to fight about. Emo versus punk? Ridiculous.

Images of “emo” “musician” (yes they both deserve quotes) Jared Leto thanks to Websters is My Bitch.