Since a while there are plenty of blogs, tweets, fb status, videos about elitism and / or labels in our subculture. I thinked about blogging about for a long time. Is it accurate to add my opinion to the long, long list of opinions already done.
Finally i can’t resist to the call because i’ve red some wrong things, and i want answer to those points.
Many baby bats are complaining about elitism. The fact it’s often they see in goth subculture only something superficial, fashionable, glamourous fueled by some brands and archetypes. Goth is just wearing black and wear spooky ( but sexy if possible ) things. The reality is a bit different. Yes, many goths love wearing clothes, nice jewelry and make up. It’s in our blood since the begining. But there are goth who really don’t care and they are more goth than many of baby bat i see on social medias. Why ? Because they know the roots of our subculture. It’s not something elitist to say that’s important to know where we come from. Look i’m artist, and during my studies i learned something important, and you can apply it to all domains even goth: you can’t erase the past, the roots, the history because those things make what you are and will be. Knowledge is the key in all domains for going forward.
For our subculture, it’s important to be linked with music, because our subculture is really music rooted. We are born of music first, late 70s, kids of punk and from the music we build our whole culture adding literature, movies and art. And fashion of course but it’s an epiphenomenom.
My feelings is, if you want to be really a part of goth subculture, work on and learn. You know as an elder goth i remember when i was a baby bat during the 90s. I see, being a goth bartender helped me, many people in goth parties. Often the more into goth fashion police and bad thongues with others are those who weren’t the less in the subculture. We are not a lot, now, truly goth ( i don’t talk about fashion of course but state of mind ), with social medias i follow time to time some people i met during the 90s and frankly, often i was surprised by what they like, share or talk about. Are they really the 90s uber goth i met ? Yes, often it was just a phase, that’s true.
Now let’s talk about labels in our subculture. I must admit i’m really fed up by labels because i think if we have the same roots why we need labels ? I hate put people in boxes and i think we’re all the result of mixing influences which emerged with goth subculture. We are just focusing on some different influences according to our personality, education and personnal tates including ungoth ones.
I don’t care if you are victorian, mopey, pastel or wathever you want. The important thing is if we can discuss gently, not targeting others, just have fun with links builded by being in a same subculture.
I have this feeling labels become so important. When i was young there were only two labels ” cool people ” and ” douchebags” . There was really enough.
Mina's Gruft 