Goth culture began to spread in the 1980's as an offshoot of the post-punk scene. But if you go further back the term "Gothic Literature" was used to describe works that combined elements of romance and horror. I have said before that being Goth does not mean you have to love Sisters of Mercy or Bauhaus. *gasp*
Some may disagree but being Goth is NOT all about the music you listen to. Being Goth is a lifestyle. It is more than clove cigarettes and fishnets. It is Romance and Horror. It is finding beauty in the darkest places. It is embracing that darkness instead of turning away from it. Being Goth is about not following the modern standards of beauty.
A "Real Goth" does not condemn those just because they do not like Dead Can Dance. A "Real Goth" may not follow many offshoots and sub-genres within Goth but they accept them. I may ruffle some feathers...but frankly..I could care less.
So, what is the definition of a "Real Goth" to you?
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I agree with you that Goth is a lifestyle. Sure, it encompasses clothes, music, Poe, bats, and all that, but it's also a state of mind. It's seeing beauty in death, in darkness, and in decay. It's feeling occasionally melancholy, and LOVING that feeling instead of wanting to drown it out with noise or activity. It's reading ghost stories in the dark and being happy instead of scared. It's watching movies like "The Crow" and being uplifted by the romance rather than dragged down by the evil. And of course, it's making your own fashions instead of just bowing down to the mainstream shopping fads.
ReplyDeleteJust for the record, I love Sisters of Mercy and Dead Can Dance... but I don't like Bauhaus (not even "Bella Lugosi's Dead"). Does that mean I have to turn in my Goth Card??? I hope not, I've got SO many points on it now... ;-)
Hehe I wonder if you get a free coffin when you collect enough points?
DeleteI WISH!! That would be totally awesome, wouldn't it?? ;-)
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