Goth issues, and the image the world puts on us.

Hawthorne · 09-03-2006, 06:32 PM

lately in the last 10 years, goths have been given a bad image by the public as murderers, thieves, and naturally bad people. but the fact is that goths are some of the most compassionate, and kind people. Yes we are dark, but dark does not mean bad.

I believe that the reason goths are the way they are because most people are afraid of the dark, and dark things in life. But goths have embraced this and are no longer afraid.

Godslayer Jillian · 09-03-2006, 06:34 PM

I bet you there are a score of threads like this in the Ranting section.

PoupeeCelestia · 09-22-2006, 06:07 PM

XD....Mmmjumm....well, being goth doesn´t mean you are compasionate. Either doesn´t mean you are a killer. They are only stupid suppositions of the people who assume by ignorance. There wouldn´t be that much ignorance if people were more open. But it is difficult to be opened sometimes, when there is some kind of “fear” to be rejected or badly seen by both parts.

RobinGreenwood · 09-22-2006, 10:35 PM

Hmmm...well, most of the negative press is because people who weren't goths but kinda looked it/seemed it went and did awful things, and big awful things make the news, and sensational news makes people think things that may not be true.

As for goths being compassionate...a lot of people say this. But really, if goths are just people, then wouldn't there be compassionate goths and less compassionate goths, just as taking a sample of non-gothic people would have nice people and nasty people? Maybe goths are on average nicer than the *average* person in our society, but that doesn't mean all goths are wonderful warm people. And unfortunately, the nice darkly-dressed person in the corner doesn't get the attention that the crazed maniac gets, whether that maniac is actually a goth or not. Just the sad reality of how news spreads and the reactions people have to it.

Splintered · 09-22-2006, 11:17 PM

Is it just me, who finds it ironic, that a person who starts this thread, is called "Hawthorne"?

You know, sure, Goths get a bad rep some times. But no more better then any other subculture. You think it's hard getting shit as a Goth? Try being Black in a southern upscale neighborhood. Hell, even the southern upscale neighborhoods get a bad rap from blacks too. Everyone has stereotypes about everyone else!

Oh wow. Goths have embraced the dark. Ooooh. So?

Congradulations.
You've met life. It's dark. It's scary. And it get's much worse. Think Saw is scary? Try living in the projects.

Really. Goths do get a bad rap. So what? There's a bunch of other subcultures that get worse. We claim their ignorant, they claim we're cynics. (I'm using we as just a term here. I'm not saying I'm part of either side here.) We claim their moronic, they show us footage of columbine. Their stupidest speak loudest, ours speak even louder. Let's just take the first step, and stop yelling at ignorant people.

badteccy · 09-23-2006, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawthorne

lately in the last 10 years, goths have been given a bad image by the public as murderers, thieves, and naturally bad people. but the fact is that goths are some of the most compassionate, and kind people. Yes we are dark, but dark does not mean bad.

I believe that the reason goths are the way they are because most people are afraid of the dark, and dark things in life. But goths have embraced this and are no longer afraid.

That is one reason, but I also think people are afraid of things they don't understand. Goth is a subculture and is not in the mainstream, therefore people don't really know much about it except for peoples assumptions.
It's sad, really...

Godslayer Jillian · 09-23-2006, 11:21 AM

I thoroughly agree with Splintered. The problem is that although we aren't the most stereotyped subculture, our stereotypes are sometimes the worst.
Any other school shooting would be just a school shooting, but when he dresses in a trenchcoat, they say he's a goth. People really believe goths are potential killers.
If you download The Cruxshadows song called "Leave Me Alone" you will hear some excerpts of radio talks about goths.
Some of the views they have are such as "What they're thinking is totally irrelevant to a normal person's thoughts." "Violent, and black" "..public threat in suburban America." "...in the gothic movement they have what is called Bloodsports where they're involved in self-mutilation in some cases, and don't ask me to explain that because I can't, I know that they're messed up kids." And the last one breaks the camel's back "If anybody would get in their way, I think that they would potentially kill."
Just like Voltaire said in one interview, "When I look at the screen I see that it says 'Goth Murder', I wonder to myself that if he was an enthusiast of country or if he was an enthusiast of rap, would this be a Country Murder? Would this be a Rap Murder?
"There's obviously something about Goth that is very mysterious to most people who are not exposed to it, which makes them believe that there's something especially dangerous about Goth."

PoupeeCelestia · 09-23-2006, 11:32 AM

Dangerous?....what we label as "dangerous" are the things we don´t have knowledge of. Then...ignorance?, that doesn´t means a person is worth less ...being part of a subculture doesn´t makes you a better (in any way) person, because that´s up to you.

[quote]Bloodsports[quote]
Ohm...what a nice name for "it"....
Can Mister Jillian name some?

Godslayer Jillian · 09-23-2006, 11:47 AM

I can only think they were referring to self-mutilation.

PoupeeCelestia · 09-23-2006, 02:13 PM

And what about the erotic rituals?

Splintered · 09-23-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

"There's obviously something about Goth that is very mysterious to most people who are not exposed to it, which makes them believe that there's something especially dangerous about Goth."

Which is ironic, because if you look at it, there's really not much more danger then any other culture out there.

Quote:

Dangerous?....what we label as "dangerous" are the things we don´t have knowledge of.

Just to be picky, we do label some things as dangerous, even when we do understand them. Like, I know how a nuclear bomb works, because I'm really interested in physics and the natural world, so atomic functions came with this. Knowing how they work, and what they can do, scare the shit out of me.

So, even if we did show them what exactly the culture was about, it would probably still scare some people. Maybe less, but it would probably still be scary.

Darkbender423 · 09-23-2006, 05:01 PM

I agree with Jillian and Splintered on this topic. There are so many lifestyles that are stereotyped, in fact in just defining a lifestyle does just that. As for the shootings and stuff, this is nothing new. People fear many different things. The "religious right" and "moral majority" are certainly against our lifestyle simply because we dare to question the things they value most. Yet there are still people who flock to this lifestyle seeking acceptance for their own confused state of being. Many of whom will grow up and become their parents. We are just people and there are some very evil goth people and some compassionate ones, just as with any other lifestyle. We do "weird" things and certainly a lot of people don't understand our lifestyle and that is good because it isn't for everyone to understand. I've been living this way for many, many years, I have tattoos on 40% of my body, piercings, black and purple hair and people are generally afraid of me until I open my mouth and speak intelligently and respectfully. I don't care what people think about how I look or the life I live and I never will, I just know what makes me happy. If someone can't get past the way I look then chance are they are not someone I wish to know anyway. It is more about how you carry yourself in life than how you look. I meet people everyday who are multi-millionaires and they always treat me with respect because I treat them that way. They may not approve of me but I still look them in the eye and I treat them the way I treat every other person I meet. We are all just people after all.

HumanePain · 09-23-2006, 05:34 PM

Darkbender, you succinctly described the challenge and scope of Goth, and the way to our sub-culture's continued propagation in future society. (continuation by demonstrating intelligence and respect by thoughtfully choosing our words when we open our mouths/commit our keystrokes. The challenge in coexisting with the mainstream society. The scope in describing that we are subject to the same distribution of social strata as other subcultures: idiots, sociopaths, geniuses, compassionate enablers, artists, the whole lot.)

By continuing a Goth lifestyle and frame of mind, and by being middle aged, I hope to represent to the mainstream that Goth is not just a fad phase for youth, but a legitimate lifestyle that can earn respect and a place in the world. Sure, we will be here whether they freakin' like it or not, but if we demonstrate thought and respect, we make the world a safer place for future generations to enjoy the same benefits we do now.

I think too much. Or not enough...