What isnt Goth?
No question has ever caused more controversy in the "Goth" subculture than "what isn't Goth?" (i.e. - that's not Goth because, or you're not Goth because...)
It goes without saying, defining what isn't Goth shouldn't have any controversy attached to it, it should be a simple case of finding out what the "core aspects" of the subculture are and, importantly "do you like those core aspect of the subculture?" ...two very simple yet powerful questions that once applied correctly can be used deduce if you are in fact a Goth or not a Goth, or what is and isn't "Goth" in terms of culture.
Before I get into answering the two questions, and more, I do obviously need to address that I understand people like to feel like they belong, and that the image they have created for themselves isn't in anyway invalidated.
This post isn't about invalidating you the reader, or anyone, its not about denying entry, or gatekeeping, it is however going to address the two questions above which makes it also necessary to address what a subculture is, as people clearly don't understand what one is, or what belonging to one actually entails.
What is a Subculture?
Defined here as:
An ethnic, regional, economic, or social group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behaviour sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing culture or society.
I have highlighted the important context. Its pretty clear that in order to be recognised as a subculture, the individual's inside it must exhibit characteristic patterns of behaviour that distinguish it from other subcultures. - i.e. they must for example all do, believe or enjoy the same thing, such as believe in a certain God, or enjoy the same type of music, or adopt a cat...😹
So what happens if people inside the subculture exhibit characteristics and patterns of behaviour that differ from the original subcultures characteristic patterns?
Simply put, they are not part of that particular subculture.
Yes, on paper that may sound harsh, however, its important to point out that we have two very relevant questions to answer, and in doing so, answering them will help you to better understand why someone who exhibits different characteristics and behaviour to the subcultures core characteristics and behaviour means they are actually not part of it.
What are the core Goth aspects?
We have already deduced what Goth is, and isn't, if you haven't read that post click here and come back once read.
The simplest way to articulate this is through a thought exercise as follows:
Ask yourself these questions to the below points, are you a fan of? Do you enjoy the following?:
The original scene / movement did not consist of anything else. There was no internet, no forums, it was underground, word of mouth, and importantly based in London in the UK. - It wasn't this multi-world culture that is often perceived, it was confined firstly to London, then the UK, and then some years later exported to Europe and America, Specifically New York and Los Angeles.
If you answered yes to all, or part then in all likelihood you are a Goth.
If however you don't actually like any of those musical genres, or like going to see bands within them, or enjoy making your own clothing then I'm afraid you are not Goth.
I would like to think if you are reading this far, you are less likely to start screaming or furiously typing expletives at me, but this is the internet, and despite my best efforts, some people really cant control their own emotions.
As I have pointed out, this is not about denying you or anyone entry, anyone, and I do mean this quite literally, anyone, of any race, sex, gender, religion, ethnic background can and is/are welcome to the Goth subculture, it is however caveated with the above knowledge.
Similarly, this isn't an elitist view, or gatekeeping, for example;
If your view on Goth is that it consists of:
Music outside of the listed genres above, that are decades younger than Goth in some cases (I'm talking about Emo, Scene, Screamo, Gothic Metal, Black Metal, Metal in general, Industrial Dance, Future pop etc)
Then you will have to provide evidence that they are explicitly linked and still one and the same. That all or the majority of fans of each of these other genres are also fans of the core aspects of Goth, this is rather difficult since most of the above genres came to exist in some cases a decade after Goth had ceased being an actual subculture, with these new subculture also having vastly different types of fans too.
If your view on being Goth is that it consists of:
The same dark aesthetic, "Black clothing" "Beauty in darkness" then you would also be mistaken.
Contrary to popular belief, the original Goths didn't dress in all black, at least not originally, they actually made their own clothing, often from rugs, or clothing purchased in charity shops, and repurposed them for gigs and club nights. It was eclectic to say the least, and extremely experimental.
The stereotypical image of a goth is based on the iconic images of both Johnny Slut, and Olli Wisdom, which came to prominence in the early 90s after being published in Mick Mercer's Gothic Rock book, to suggest that's the look everyone had is actually quite the misnomer.
more
It goes without saying, defining what isn't Goth shouldn't have any controversy attached to it, it should be a simple case of finding out what the "core aspects" of the subculture are and, importantly "do you like those core aspect of the subculture?" ...two very simple yet powerful questions that once applied correctly can be used deduce if you are in fact a Goth or not a Goth, or what is and isn't "Goth" in terms of culture.
Before I get into answering the two questions, and more, I do obviously need to address that I understand people like to feel like they belong, and that the image they have created for themselves isn't in anyway invalidated.
This post isn't about invalidating you the reader, or anyone, its not about denying entry, or gatekeeping, it is however going to address the two questions above which makes it also necessary to address what a subculture is, as people clearly don't understand what one is, or what belonging to one actually entails.
What is a Subculture?
Defined here as:
An ethnic, regional, economic, or social group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behaviour sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing culture or society.
I have highlighted the important context. Its pretty clear that in order to be recognised as a subculture, the individual's inside it must exhibit characteristic patterns of behaviour that distinguish it from other subcultures. - i.e. they must for example all do, believe or enjoy the same thing, such as believe in a certain God, or enjoy the same type of music, or adopt a cat...😹
So what happens if people inside the subculture exhibit characteristics and patterns of behaviour that differ from the original subcultures characteristic patterns?
Simply put, they are not part of that particular subculture.
Yes, on paper that may sound harsh, however, its important to point out that we have two very relevant questions to answer, and in doing so, answering them will help you to better understand why someone who exhibits different characteristics and behaviour to the subcultures core characteristics and behaviour means they are actually not part of it.
What are the core Goth aspects?
We have already deduced what Goth is, and isn't, if you haven't read that post click here and come back once read.
The simplest way to articulate this is through a thought exercise as follows:
Ask yourself these questions to the below points, are you a fan of? Do you enjoy the following?:
- Post Punk?
- Gothic Rock?
- Going to see bands perform live from the above genres?
- Going to club nights that play Post Punk or Gothic Rock music?
- DIYing clothing?
The original scene / movement did not consist of anything else. There was no internet, no forums, it was underground, word of mouth, and importantly based in London in the UK. - It wasn't this multi-world culture that is often perceived, it was confined firstly to London, then the UK, and then some years later exported to Europe and America, Specifically New York and Los Angeles.
If you answered yes to all, or part then in all likelihood you are a Goth.
If however you don't actually like any of those musical genres, or like going to see bands within them, or enjoy making your own clothing then I'm afraid you are not Goth.
I would like to think if you are reading this far, you are less likely to start screaming or furiously typing expletives at me, but this is the internet, and despite my best efforts, some people really cant control their own emotions.
As I have pointed out, this is not about denying you or anyone entry, anyone, and I do mean this quite literally, anyone, of any race, sex, gender, religion, ethnic background can and is/are welcome to the Goth subculture, it is however caveated with the above knowledge.
Similarly, this isn't an elitist view, or gatekeeping, for example;
If your view on Goth is that it consists of:
Music outside of the listed genres above, that are decades younger than Goth in some cases (I'm talking about Emo, Scene, Screamo, Gothic Metal, Black Metal, Metal in general, Industrial Dance, Future pop etc)
Then you will have to provide evidence that they are explicitly linked and still one and the same. That all or the majority of fans of each of these other genres are also fans of the core aspects of Goth, this is rather difficult since most of the above genres came to exist in some cases a decade after Goth had ceased being an actual subculture, with these new subculture also having vastly different types of fans too.
If your view on being Goth is that it consists of:
The same dark aesthetic, "Black clothing" "Beauty in darkness" then you would also be mistaken.
Contrary to popular belief, the original Goths didn't dress in all black, at least not originally, they actually made their own clothing, often from rugs, or clothing purchased in charity shops, and repurposed them for gigs and club nights. It was eclectic to say the least, and extremely experimental.
The stereotypical image of a goth is based on the iconic images of both Johnny Slut, and Olli Wisdom, which came to prominence in the early 90s after being published in Mick Mercer's Gothic Rock book, to suggest that's the look everyone had is actually quite the misnomer.
more
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