Most of the negativity, arguably, is due to the media's portrayal of the gothic subculture. Absolutely every aspect of this culture is stereotyped. Almost all of the gothic stereotypes are wrong! Everything varies in the culture. Now not many people like to argue "labels" no one likes to label themselves, but lets be honest. Many people follow a certain trend or fashion type, that they make into their own, to be comfortable and happy. It is the same with the gothic subculture.
Were going to move in a circle here.
First of all, the media does not give the gothic subculture a good wrap. The media has transformed us into what are the "drug addicts, losers, lazy asses, people who hang out in graveyards, and plain old creepy people who slaughter animals." These are labels I have heard many times. There are millions im sure, that you people have heard as well. We are always categorized as "wrong." I remember one time I went on the subway, and a couple actually got up so they didn't have to sit next to me. Then one time in Cvs, I little girl actually cried. Crazy, isnt it? Now I don't think I dress as hardcore as others do. There is a whole spectrum of clothing people in this subculture wear. Everyone's style is their own creation. It is "them".
Now my style personally is in between. Some days are more outrageous than others. I tend to stick towards the more Victorian-elegant gothic fashion. I love dresses, long coats, mary jane shoes and combat boots. All black, of course. Everyone's selection is different.
Sadly, everyone associates us as "bad"
In high school everyone thought I was the bad kid, the bad girl who did drugs and killed things. I earned the nick name "the girl from the ring" all through middle school and high school. Yet, I did no drugs, I didn't drink, or smoke. I was actually an honor roll student, who took private Japanese classes outside of high school. I was a very good student. I was just different. I was always picked on in high school, and even now in college sometimes. But I stand my ground, some people are even a little scared to approach me, because I can get quite angry when im insulted. I don't really understand how im intimidating sometimes, im only 5'2 and 98lbs. You never know who the bad people are, you just cant go and assume its the people who wear all black and are into different types of music. Yet the cheerleader or math club leader could be the bad ones doing drugs and all of that hoopla.
I must say though, things have changed in college. My college is a private university, and there are a lot of fancy fufu people that go there. I am the only person from the Gothic subculture who attends this university. I don't really get picked on or questioned, people. Most of them are really respectful. I made some great friends so far. But there's always going to be those students at university that love to pick on the different kids. I have had a few incidents in classes so far, but it doesn't really happen to much in college that I know of. But there will always be those assholes.
Its unknown if the media will every give us a good wrap. There are many great people from this culture who are successful. I consider myself to be a good Representative of this culture, showing what its really like. That we are not bad people, who actually do great things. I go to college full time and work, I am a English major and a classical literature minor. I speak Japanese, and I am currently learning German in college. I want to work maybe in a museum of some sort. My friend, also part of the culture, wants to be a musician and also practices martial arts.
If others would actually open their eyes, and not associate us with bad people, things would be alot easier. My mother, as I grew up always thought I would have no friends and go down a bad path, just because I wore black. I proved her wrong, and now she is so proud of me.
You cant let the media or anyone in your life take you down or judge you just because you love, and feel comfortable for dressing a certain way! It makes me so angry. No matter what you dress like, black, pink yellow whatever, no one has the right to judge you or say you are a horrible person. They do not know you. If they judge you, and many people sadly do, just give them both middle fingers. You are you, the media and ignorant people cannot change you or your life. You run your life. No one else.
I know what you mean. Last month I had two red Mohawks, wore a red poncho with a skull on it and other stuff like that. I've seen mothers watch me angrily as I walk passed trying to keep there children still. Meanwhile in reality I am a favorite among many of my teachers and I talk politics with my history teacher. I know more about the government then allot of voters I feel.
ReplyDeleteI am the same way and deal with all of that. its awful isnt it? that people judge so much.
DeleteIf I know one thing about people it's that they always what to feel superior to anyone in anyway. They say it's good to be an original but if you do something unusual you're a freak. I see freak as a complement know.
ReplyDeletei understand that:)
ReplyDelete