The Future of the Gothic Scene
It's been questioned that the Gothic community may die out when the elder Goths have gone. Elder Goths being the true Gothins, the people that grew up as teenagers in the 80s and experienced the Punk and Gothic scene when it all first took place.
I don't believe that Gothics will ever die out, or that it may fade. It's obvious that our ever growing community is growing and evolving. But we must ask ourselves, "Evolving into what?" That's the real question here.
Many elder Goths and myself believe that Goth has become too superficial. It seems that there are many many snooty Gothins out there that are giving the rest of the real Gothics a bad name. You know who you are, you only talk to people if they're Goth, you don't like people who can't afford expensive Gothic clothing, and don't like people who don't listen only to Gothic bands. You can't honestly tell me that that isn't being superficial? Gothic is a state of mind. Gothics often complain that we want to be understood for who we are as a person and not the way you dress, yet so many of you are very hung up on the way others dress. Strip away the pale makeup and expensive Gothic garments and what do you have? Are you truely your own person without your costume?
Something that bothers me is snooty Gothics that look down upon the younger generation of Gothins. You seem them in groups hanging out amounst themselves, poorly dressed Gothicly, listeneing to the trendier newer bands like Orgy and Marilyn Manson. But you have to remember, when a person first comes into the scene they are in the midst of finging out what they like and experimenting with different things. Those who are newely aquainted with the gothic scene tend to be young, and still building their own identies. Let them listen to what they will, and it's ok to listen to what ever you want. You don't like being judge for what you listen to or how you dress, so what gives elder Goths the right to immediately judge them?
In the beginning Goth had emerged from the Punk scene. That's what makes both scenes seem so similar. They each have their own special society, and deem certain things to be acceptable and unacceptable. But it's always about self expression. Expression of art, beliefs, and thoughts. Lets think about Gothics in the 80s;Young people can't afford much, and so their clothing was old, sometimes torn, their boots taped together, and they shopped in second hand shops. Now you see Gothins purposely putting tears in their tights, and making gloves out of fishnet stalkings, and even adding in black tape as an accessory to an outfit.
Old school Goth often has a punkish sound. This is due to the overwhelming Punk scene that was popular during that time. Elder Goths listen to these groups because it's what they grew up with. I'm under the impression that you suddenly become more Goth if you listen to old school Goth music like Bauhaus and Sisters of Mercy. I don't believe that you are more or less Goth if you do. It's ok to be Gothic and to listen to a non-Goth band, if you are truely a Gothic you are well aware that you are only practicing being an individual by listening to what ever you like. And if you are also a true Gothic you won't care about how Goth you appear to be. Don't give in to being overly cliche, it's as bad as being a sterotype.
So many of you dredd the word "stereotype." You fear it, yet many Gothics out there in fact a stereo type. You listen to depressing music, write depressing poetry, are pessimistic, wear all black all the time, the only nail polish you own is black, only talk to Gothics, and do the same dance as everyone else in the Gothic clubs. Stereotypes don't magically appear out of thin air, they have to be created by a group of people that give the rest of the community a bad name. Look into yourself, and find out if you really are an individual. If you don't dress Goth are you afraid your Gothic friends will reject you? If someone plays bubble gum music will you pretend to hate it when in fact you like it?
The whole point of this is to help you Goths out there to understand what is becomming of our community. And yes, we truely are a community. There are Gothics all over the world, we share the same beliefs, and we even have conventions. Don't let it all go down the drain and give in to letting it become nothing more than a sterotype and a supferficial thing. Take a good look at yourself and realize who you are what you are about. Everyone of us represents the community, but let the Gothic scene stand for self expression not idenity repression.
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