Lastly, I will back Sean no matter what. Always. I love that kid and he has always served as a beacon of inspiration amidst a sea of shitheads throughout hardcore, and my life. He has always been a good friend with a great head on his shoulders and a critical mind. It's funny how things like this work, the end of the world to some people and a new consciousness arises for others. Having this happen, and seeing things put into action and words being spoken, it really puts it into perspective how people choose to view other people for their decisions, their personal choices, and their lives. Straightedge was never about making sure everyone around you stays that way through intimidation and social pressure; that is completely contradictory to any sort of 'radical' beliefs. Being straightedge is purely a personal choice that only you can say is good for your life. The benefits of living a drug free lifestyle are clear and obvious, there's no denying that - but because someone chooses not to recognize those as a choice for themselves, you cannot slight them at all.
There are things that happen deeper than blaming civilization for giving us addiction, for the mainstream social pressure of consuming drugs and substances, and even just the idea that someone is willing to walk away from being straightedge. It's commendable for someone to walk away, simply bow out, after realizing that straightedge isn't for them anymore - that sort of lifestyle can drain some people dry instead of give hope and deeper aspirations. There is no doubt that living against the grain of modern society is hard; it is defeating often and really can leave you feeling alone and in utter solitude. It takes immense personal strength, perseverance, and determination. There are days when you feel like you are absolutely alone and the only one who feels that way - THAT is alienation in its purest form. It IS a struggle to be vegan straightedge; to be an anarchist, a radical, etc.
Anyway - much in the case of Sean, I can assume, an unconscious decision happened where not just one instance can be targeted as a reason why. There is more to it, and as an outsider, there is no telling what the other thoughts and motivations are beyond speculation, positive or negative. Regardless - there are no making excuses or hypothesizing or whatever. Don't base your friendships solely off the fact that someone else is vegan, straightedge, radical, gay, straight, trans, a drug addict, anything; base a friendship off how kind the person is, what you can learn from them, and trust. Labels are superficial and only serve to do just that - label a certain lifestyle or music or anything. Strip away 'straight', 'edge', 'xxx', 'drug', 'free' and you'll still get the same thing - a commitment to yourself to live a life devoid of drug use in any form to have a clear and focused mind. Having a friend change their mind on living their lives with that sort of mentality isn't a time where you turn your back and leave them behind, embrace them and be there for them.
I don't ever want to put a friend through that feeling of guilt that they have decided to change their lifestyle to something different than they had believed in before. Change is one of the only truths in this world. If someone changes their mind around you, that means they are only human. Straightedge and living that sort of lifestyle is something that I personally have committed to, am proud about, and plan on being for the rest of my life. Of course I don't want to see substances ruin someone close to me and I will always be outspoken about addiction and the use of all drugs. Being straightedge is my choice, but I don't expect anyone else to follow in the same footsteps.
Being vegan is another story... hahaha.
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