A lot of people in the western society see a “Goth” and they feel an instant dislike. Why? It’s because of stereotypes about them; they are depressed, angry, drug users, Marylin Manson followers, are into the occult, Satanists, and the list goes on.

Some people feel that due to the way they dress or how many body piercings or tattoos they have that they are difficult people and can’t be approached when in actuality they are most likely the honest and calm people you will come across.

A friend of mine asked what it meant to be a “goth” how can they be defined and it was quite difficult to answer however, it still can be somewhat answered.

The places I’ve come across state that a “goth” can’t truly be defined and that its up to the individual “goth” to define themselves. And to a certain point that is true however as most people can see, “Goths” can be defined as a group with these traits:

They dress in all or mostly black

They are into death

They listen to heavy metal or “Emo”

They paint their faces white and wear black makeup

They wear trench coats even in the summer

They have multiple body piercing and tattoos

They are drug addicts

They are into Satanism

They are into the occult

They are into BDSM

They are angry or depressed

They wear chains (somewhere on themselves)

They are interested in Vampirism

And the actual fact is those whom are into all of these aren’t actual Goths they are frauds. Surprised? Don’t be. How many people in the world want to be in fashion? Try many millions even. Just because someone decides to wear dark colours does not make them a Goth it’s just the other spectrum of trendy fashion. Those people go on what the world views to be a “Goth” and frankly, it’s just another way that people promote the stereotyped Goth. I mean, someone wants to be different so they try to wear things and do things in the opposite direction that most go in and then they say “Yeah, I’m a goth” Well no, they aren’t.

What is a Goth then? For some they feel that it means to have a morbid sense of curiosity but not necessarily meaning that they are interested in death or are infatuated with it. Those people are close to understanding what it really means to be a Goth.

Being a Goth means accepting life as it is. You can have your own opinions on life but it means that you see that other views/walks of life are valid as well because it works for other people just like how you live your life. how you view things works for you.

You don’t have to wear all black, look scary, or pretend that you’re into death because an actual Goth does not do any of that. If someone accepts living and dying as a part of life, then they won’t romanticize any part of the cycle and just accept it as it is.

Why do people wear all or mostly black? Well for a number of reasons. Some believe that its slimming (even though it’s not always slimming). It may be someone’s favourite colour, mourning someone’s death (going to a funeral), pretending to be a Goth, or they are carrying on an idea of the Celtic where wearing all black is a way to soak in psychic energy.

There are actual Goths who still do the whole stereotypical thing of wearing all black, the makeup, and so on but standing back and looking at them, you can just tell that is what is comfortable for them it suits them but most are just being trendy.

Those who are Goths will most likely have gone through a lot such as people close to them die before being an old age whether it was to drugs or something unexpected. They’ve been through a lot of negative experiences but in the end it has made them stronger and better people rather than bitter, depressed, angry, and feeling sorry for themselves.

How do I know this?

I am one. I don’t wear all black, a trench coat 365 days a year, I don’t do any of the stereotypes that most people know about Goths; ironically I wear casual office clothes. How can someone spot that I’m a Goth? They can’t because for me, it’s not about wearing all black, looking angry or depressed, or anything of that sort. It’s about accepting life as it is, including people as they are. I am tolerant of their lifestyle, views, beliefs, and experiences. I find it beautiful that people can live their life differently than the next person and frankly, that is being a Goth without the stereotypes.

Why be a Goth?

Because its living your life with less fear. It’s human nature to fear the unknown but if you don’t know what’s out there then why fear it? A Goth would be someone who has heard of something and then researched it to make up their mind on what it is, what they think about it, and how to deal with it if faced with it.

Being fearful of life means that a person will never truly live their life and we all know from experience that people can cross over at any moment so each second that we live counts. Accepting that life and death occurs and everything in between makes life a lot less stormy and a little bit more clear even if you can’t see where you’re going; at least you know there’s less of a chance to trip and fall or if you do that it won’t hurt as much because knowing that something could become an obstacle regardless of whether or not you know of its existence, you will be more prepared and more aware of life.

References

Robinson, B.A. (2008) The Goth Culture: Its history, stereotypes, religious aspects, etc. Retrieved 1st April 2009 from http://www.religioustolerance.org/goth.htm

http://prettyuqly.mydeardiary.com/entry.html?de_key=156677 Apr 2001 “What it Means to be Goth”

What it Means to be Goth (2001) Retrieved on 1st April 2009 from http://prettyuqly.mydeardiary.com/entry.html?de_key=156677