The Swarm

March 27, 2008

Mexico's Emo War Escalates: Government calls for unity as massive attacks are threatened in Tijuana

TDS Editors

There are brand new developments to the Mexican Emo Witch Hunt story. The national government of Mexico stepped in to try and quell the violent attacks and riots erupting over the past several weeks in cities across the country. But the violence threatens to spread. Excelsior reports (English Google translation):

With support from the Government of the Federal District, different tribes as urban darketos, emos, Gothic, punketos, indies and gays began on Wednesday a campaign against discrimination.

After meeting for more than three hours with government authorities capital members of the various expressions urban went to the roundabout of Insurgentes subway station announced that the campaign will have as its slogan “For the freedom of being young, live and let live.”

Detallaron the plan, which aims to counter the acts of violence and discrimination against these groups in urban areas, will be launched over the Internet and through volanteo.

But according to La Jordana (English Google translation), massive attacks and ambushes against Emos in Tiajuana have been threatened for next month’s city Fair:

With calls on the Internet to mobilize against the emos and direct warnings on the street, these groups of adolescents are under harassment in Tijuana and Aguascalientes, locality, the latter, which feared being attacked during the Feria de San Marcos.

Alejandro Anaya Richter, spokesman for the movement of emos in Aguascalientes, claimed that groups cholos, and metal rockers, have warned that they do not want to see their sad faces at the Fair of San Marcos.

“The threats we make them reach youth who represent those groups, we say they are preparing massive attacks against us, as ambushes, as has already happened in other states,” he said.

In an interview, Richter, a 23-year law student and explained that there is fear among young emos, as in Aguascalientes are two thousand people who identify with this new culture in society and so far, but you can see so strange they are not attacked.

(photo credit)

Yesterday’s story really touched a nerve, and not just on this site. Check out the comments on the original post, and Reddit, Absolutepunk.net, and Current. Similar conversations are happening on message boards in countries as far away as Norway, Germany, New Zealand, and Japan. The reactions really do run the gamut: from true shock and amazement, to sarcasm and racist jokes, to real horror and pain. But the You Tube videos and limited English-language reporting only give the outlines of a much more interesting and complex story that is just beginning to emerge. And one Daily Swarm comment late last night may be particularly prescient:

remember when emo was about listening to sunny day real estate and the gloria record? and cool shit like making shitloads of music with yr pals and pining over chicks and stuff like that? and not a fucking fashionable culture co-opted by those cunts at mtv and fuse and victory records and all this other bullshit? i fucking do. you all should be fighting rupert fucking murdoch and the rest of these assholes that own the goddamn media. they’re the ones to blame for all of this.

He has a point.

As David Hernandez noted earlier, many people in Mexico point to the on-air rant of Televisa television personality Krisoff as the tipping point that incited the violence.

The gravity of this should not be underestimated: The broadcaster, Televisa, is a massive entertainment conglomerate that’s the Mexican equivalent of Viacom and Clear Channel and Live Nation combined. Kristoff’s provocation was not just the equivalent of an MTV VJ stirring kids up, but more like Jay Leno calling for blood. While Kristoff did finally broadcast an anti-violence speech following last week’s incidents, some in Mexico are suggesting that he may take the fall if the government blames the company for stirring up trouble.

Also, Last.fm Anti-Emo group member Harry24’s lengthy treatise on the anti-Emo philosophy include this section about music:

Music: there are great music (rock and metal) bands here in Mexico, lot of them are from a wave here in Mexico called “the birth of mexican rock” or something like that, and most of them still active this days, but are ignored because nowadays is something called “the new wave of mexican rock”, which is supported by the media, and 90% of the bands from that wave are totally crap. So guess what??? lot of that bands are emo
Fortunately some of the old bands like Victimas Del Doctor Cerebro or Cuca are calling the new wave “crap”, “shit”, “unoriginal” and things like that, and make fun of emos in their shows, but this is not enough to stop this “emo-wave”

For all Harry24’s government conspiracy theories, here he’s actually making the same point. In addition to its television stations, Televisa has a near stranglehold on the music business in Mexico: among the company’s holdings are EMI Music, Cablevision, a CD/DVD distributor, radio stations, a merch company, several arenas, concert promoters, and many other layers of the live and recorded music industries. The mainstreaming of “Emo” as a fashion and lifestyle in Mexico has been partially orchestrated and sold primarily by this far reaching culture monopoly. The same one, ironically, that may have pushed the heated situation to a boil.

This story is still developing. Rumors about the violence spreading to other Latin American countries have been circulating on the Internet, while the situation in Mexico remains tense. The Daily Swarm will have a follow-up report from Mexico early next week.

UPDATE: Mexican Emo War spreads to the border: Incidents in Juarez and Tijuana

UPDATE: Mexico’s ‘Los Darkys’ aka Goths deny involvement in anti-Emo attacks: ‘We are obscure, but not violent’

ALSO: Emo attacks in Chile too…

ALSO: Goth killing in England echoes Mexican Emo violence…

ALSO: Flashback: U.K. Roots of the Emo War

Daniel Hernandez has been covering this extensively here, here, and here.


Post a comment

Previous comments include

#1 poopdeck pappy says:

whoever took that photo of the kid getting hit with the stick while the other dude films it should win the pulitzer for photojournalism right away.

#2 pk says:

so if televisa is responsible for selling the shitty emo culture to the mexicans, why did the vj on the televisa channel tell everyone to beat up emo kids?

also, i know i should feel terrible, but this is still slightly on the funny side.

#3 Mr. Taco says:

I expect a full report on Tuesday.

#4 doctor says:

FYI to Poopdeck Pappy,
Its not a stick in the photo, its the strap of the kids backpack. Not quite pulitzer material.

#5 El Pollo Borracho says:

wow. of all the things in Mexico to get worked up over, crime, poverty, corruption, they go after people for their HAIRCUTS, fucking haircuts. The human race has reached a new low.

#6 kneejerk says:

Great. Now we'll get Emos crossing the border too.

#7 sean says:

Let's try for some middle-ground here...

Whether it was Jay Leno or the three stooges on Good Day LA, there's really no difference. Anyone claiming an on-air personality as their excuse to violently attack another person was merely waiting for a reason - any reason - to do what they already planned to do.

That being said, I still find the thought of mob violence offensive. There's never valid justification to be a bully, regardless of how contemptuously you view the object of your scorn. The people committing the attacks are worthless excuses for human beings.

However, the comparisons between these mob attacks on Emos and things like the Holocaust or Genocide are really off base (not to mention offensive). As I said, unprovoked attacks against ANY group are uncalled for, but let's keep our sense of perspective here. We're comparing people who died for their beliefs or because of their race to angsty teenagers who've decided to swallow the latest trend. And that's truthfully all Emo is - a brilliant marketing concept. In fact, if you ask most Emo kids what it's all about, they typically fail to offer any substantive explanation. It certainly has very little to do with the original Emo movement, which was about music as opposed to fringes or thick-rimmed glasses. The current format of Emo is a method for selling product, and not much else.

It's a bit like me comparing Rwandan Genocide to my right to wear parachute pants. I have a right to wear them - regardless of whether I have a 'valid' reason to do so - and no one should brutalise me because I do. Yet, it's quite a stretch to compare someone beating me up for that to religious persecution or racism. It's similar to the believability problem people have when comparing Bush to Hitler.

I feel bad for these kids, and these mobs need to leave them alone, but by making these drastic comparisons people are only weakening the sympathy for them, not strengthening it.

#8 francis says:

this - is - ridiculous... they're all a bunch of bloody fascists, is conformity this much more important than individuality?

#9 Sara says:

Thank you so much for your continued coverage of this issue, and for trying to cover it with logic & understanding.

The comments on the other thread were positively ridiculous.

"First they came for the emos and I did nothing. Then they came for the goths and I did nothing. When they came for me, there was no one left to do anything about it."

#10 fnord says:

Typical violent gang behavior from Mexican cucarachas.

#11 alex says:

Do your research before you write something like this. Kristoff from Telehit (Televisa's music channel) is not even close to being a "jay leno calling for blood", he is just another VJ in that channe, just like there are many vjs on mtv or fuse...stupid reporters making things bigger than what they really are.

#12 televis-no says:

Don't diminish how shitty what Kristoff said was either. He has one of the biggest platforms to talk to kids in the country. He was naive.

#13 meags says:

cry emo kid, cry

#14 V says:

It shows clearly what Leeches are made of.

Do not be deluded, the only thing that exists behind this is the wish of some to act their sadistic feelings on ther life of others with impunity.

They pick on the weak targets (by self admission in fact), and the mindset is no different than a pedofile. Between a useless, sweaty piece of meat getting a boner out of hurting others, and the emo kid, I will take the second any time of day.

#15 kevin jacobsen says:

This is the dumbest shit ever. The fact that Mexicans are concerning themselves with this matter is ridiculous. If they were to just focus this much attention to actual problems, such as: poverty, population control, and the corruption in their own government, maybe, just maybe, Mexico wouldn't be such a shit hole.

So I propose an ultimate solution to all the problems that Mexico causes, including the problems they cause here, such as our over-population, rise in crime in urban areas, and inflation.

We take two of our hundreds of nuclear warheads we have in storage. Drop them on Mexico, then hire thousands of Americans, without jobs, to pave the entire country of Mexico. To make the world's largest international parking lot.

Start a Revolution. Free Parking for All.

#16 D says:

Mexico must be bored.Fighting over something this dumb is unbelievable. These kids should be rising against their corrupt government instead of fighting each other. Now as far as Televisa being responsible for encouraging the attacks, well I'm not surprised. Usually the big two stations in Mexico don't hold themselves responsible to what they air. As long as it benefits them by getting ratings and advertisers money the station managers would sell out their own mothers.

#17 jv says:

I fail to see how this the fault of the dreaded "Big Media" (and I don't buy into the hinted-at conspiracy). That is sort of like blaming people getting violent on goths because of Hot Topic's commercialization of leather pants and studded belts. Big media companies and corporations merely follow the trends - especially of young people - and offer them products (cloths, music, etc) that they like. Let teenagers express themselves any way they want. Who cares if it gets promoted through some bloated media image. Those kids are still making a choice to buy those cloths and listen to that music and express themselves accordingly. Its not like fall out boy's producer is holding a gun to every emo kid and demanding they buy their cds.

If you don't like the emo look/attitude fine. But don't say that its because you think its soulless corporate creation that you excuse beating the hell out of a 15 year old.
As other news outlets have pretty much hit spot on, this basically just boils down to insecure machismo perceiving it all as "homosexual", not Rubert Murdoch laughing maniacally in his evil layer as he eats babies.

#18 vladik says:

omg that's why this world is lame because of you guyz down here(we're gonna end up killing us each other one of these days,we used to love each other...

#19 penis says:

not saying the violence is ok, but hopefully this will be the end of the stupid emo scene. also, why the hell are they beating up indie kids? that's freaking retarded; indie is great.

#20 Gabe_Carry On_3x's says:

its mot a stick.
its a purse strap.

#21 stop the violence says:

THIS NEEDS TO STOP, IM TIRED OF THIS THERE IS NO REASON TO DISCRMINATE AGAINST EMO PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFRENT, AND YOU KNOW WHAT, I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE CRIME WERE IN GANGS YOU DON'T SEE THEM GETING BEAT UP TP OFFTEN AND AS FAR AS IM CONSERNED THE WORLD SHOULD BE MORE DISCRIMATIVE AGAINST GANG BANGERS BACAUSE THEY ARE THE ONCE YOU PEOPLE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT CAUSING PROBLEMS, US EMO PEOPLE DON'T HURT ANYBODY WE JUST KEPP TO OURSELVES AND IGNOR EVERYTHING! AND TO BE ONEST IM TIRED OF BEING SCARED TO BE MYSELF BECAUSE OF PEOPLE AND THEIR CONSTANT STUPID HATE CRIMES!

#22 juan says:

hey man the Kristoff show is very funny...and i hate emos

#23 screwyouguys says:

this is stupid!
iam mexican and were not no emo crossing cucarachas!
all!!! OF YOU ARE DAMN BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
leave the kids alone you dumb bitches
now i am afraid to go to visit my gramma
:([stupid white racies people!!!!!!!]

#24 Mojave says:

Just wanted to let you'll know this isn't a "sign of things getting worse" or a "new low for society". This exact scenario happened in the late 60's in Britain between the macho "Rockers" and the more stylish "Mods". Thats some "youth culture" history for ya.

#25 pope fuck says:

this is a problem why? serious what about diy and world fucking peace you dumb shits. treating music, fucking music! as if your representing your colors in a fucking gang. why the fuck should a punk care if his music aint heard by everyone makes him more a fucking punk. go after the route of the problem it self not its mindless confused followers. what the fuck is up? seriously! mtv fuse all that fucking shit thats what to blame not the fucking kids. does not one person understand counter culture? its more than a store a name a tv channel. its how you live your life what the fuck happend. what the fuck.why cant the scene will be scene the punx up the punx seriously! FUCK!

#26 HopefortheNation says:

I believe that this is wrong for people to be violent against emo, punk, and other types of people... I for one do not believe in gay rights or anything like that because it is against GOD.. but if the people of Mexico want a change in this they should approach it differently not with violence!

#27 the parking attendant says:

The message left by Mr. Kevin Jacobsen (#15) is completely out of line. It's hatred like that that makes this world the horrible place that it is today. I agree every country should focus more attention to such stated problems , but to go off on that kind of rant is, well, very small minded and weak. Step back and view yourself inside and out Mr. Jacobsen and tell me what it is exactly that you see. If your skin is light, then think about this...it was your ancestors that came to this country (U.S.A.) and pushed us out. Educate yourself before you open your mouth next time.

#28 Michael Mahor says:

I disagree, I think #15 has a point. clearly you (#27) are in that old mind-set that 'all humans were created equal', which we now know -they are not. Iall for the paving over of Mexico, it would solve many a problem, especially immigration, without any down-side to 'real people' like us Americans.

#29 jane says:

wow. how lame.

i'm not a fan of the emo scene and i certainly find the music a huge snooze. but honestly what is the point of beating someone up because of the way they dress? what do you really think its going to accomplish other than make the attackers look like total tools.

what's next- "we dont serve emo's here" like when those "we dont serve hippies" signs.

seriously discrimination has been done. its old. get over it and get a new hobby.

#30 boo says:

leave the poor emos alone wat would u do if ur son/daughter was emo an was going through people treating them bad

this stuff is so ridiculous!!!

#31 mosh the street says:

u stupid fuckers ,yea lets kill emo kids ur fucking stupid come to texas,and see what happends,(MOSH THE STREETS),

#32 acousticxx3 says:

sorry, but this whole thing is really pathetic and stupid.
let the kids be emoes, let them be whoever they want to be.
if they end up being in a bad place at the end, then so be it. they made that choice. but you cant just go up to emoes and say fuck you and spit in their way and burn them with your ciggs, cause who the fuck do you think you are anyway? thats why we have our own group of friends and people as much as stereotypical that sounds. emoes stick together and im sure everyone else does. this is stupid, people are getting hurt and theres nothing wrong with being emo or bisexual or lesbian or gay. or homophobic, though i think it is pretty stupid but i can understand you. but dont just go up to people and give them the middle finger or trash talk people, because it makes you ten times worse.

#33 GOD SHOMD says:

okay, lets look through some stuff here through history, shall we? violence between the hippies and policemen (and blah blah blah other people). and then you have the stupid fucking racist crap (that is still here today) about the color of your skin. YOUR FUCKING COLOR! it doesnt matter, you arent gonna get anywhere unless you know how to work people. there should be gay rights, because what the fuck does god know about people if he's not even exsistent (sorry, im an athiest in the making and i dont get anything about jesus or god or whatever)! people got all hyped up about your stupid color and what country you came from when none of us are natives to this fucking country anyway. and this emo bullshit? WHO CARES IF THEY LIKE TIGHT CLOTHES AND BLACK AND CUTTING THEMSELVES (which, duh, most of them don't do!). why dont the anti-emoes just get a fucking life and leave people alone! oh and, here's the kicker, what makes you such a better person for not being emo when you go up to them and curse and give them the middle finger and yell at them and BURN THEM WITH YOUR CIGARETTS? oh right, IT DOESNT! you will never be a better person getting through like like that. they're their own people and you are too, you dont need to act out in violence and set a whole new level of immaturity and unfairness.

these kids in mexico are getting traumatized and they're sticking up for themselves! i give them all the credit in the world for actually being themselves. i bet none of you anti-emo shitheads could do that because you're too much of a coward to actually stand up for what you believe in, whch is what really counts.

#34 emo and wat? says:

your just a bunch of haters we dont harm anybody so what the hell?!!either way emos will stand..and unite..you just wait and see..

#35 emo_kidd says:

ok this is all not helping the world! its just bring it to an end if people want to be them self, let them! what have they ever done to you?/ NOTHING so get over your self its stupid and when the end of the world comes youre going to have to look jesus in the eyes and you not a reason when he asked you "why did you kill that poor child?" thats all i have to say!!!

#36 aLE says:

QUE CHINGADOS PASA CON EL MUNDO?

#37 s0m31 says:

0k...uHm i r3allY d0nT lYk wAt Ppl sAy b0ut 3m0z....im 1 nd i HAT3 WAT U DO ND TALK B0UT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!U BETER STOP WRITIN BULLSHIT B0UT 3M0Z UNDERSTUD?

0h nD bY tH3 wAy I kiNdA DiDnT R3Ad WaT u wRoT3....SO SORRY iF u DiNt wRiT3 bUlLsHiT...BYE LOSERS

#38 s0m31 says:

h3y pPl Im BaCk...uHm I juST wAnTeD 2 sAy....WHO GIVES WAT PPL ARE WAT THEY THINK WAT DEY WEAR HOW DEY LUK ND ALL DAT CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!w3 D0Nt n33D AnY fIgHtIn' h3R3 now will u guyz just calm down nd forgive nd 4get.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................xept 3m0z...w3 n33d 2 g3t bAcK @ doz wh0 huRt uz...bye bexxitoz 2 all my 3m0 fuendz...

#39 3m0 grl... says:

fyi meags i dont think u would lyk 2 b him ....if u were da cute inosent boi u would be da 1 cryin'...............
nd mosh the street , d0nt kill 3m0z!!!!!!!!!!by da way uhm i think derz a l0t of 3m0 ppl in texaz...ppl get ur facts right b4 u write...nd st0p being fukn bitchz 2 da p0r 3m0z dey r just expresin how dey feel in othr wayz u dont understand....nd who give wat dey think............bexxxxxxi0000zzzzz


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