Biggest gothic stereotype "Goths are only white people!" As an Indian and Nepalese person I am very offended by this comment when people say it or darker skinned people. Like are we forgetting about Andi Anderson from The Cure and "Glorious Din" a punk band which had a Sri Lankan main singer in it? Thanks for making this video love it btw😍 .
Esmeralda Jasmine, Well then get offended because pain and worshiping your sadness is what you're all about. Be grateful that you live in a Capitalist country that which was created by our Founding Fathers.
True goths won't discriminate for anything, no matter race, age, religion and gender. white supremacists often stain the culture same as has been happening with bikers😢
Up top, fellow elder goths! I turned 50 this year, and by now it should be clear it wasn't a phase :) It makes me so happy to see young goths thriving. Gives me hope!
@malicemizerkiryuuin8204 Let me get this straight... Being sexualized and fetishized by randoms is NOT disgusting?? Sorry but you're the dense one love.
The way you pointed out that there are goths who are depressed but it doesn’t have to do with being goth really just helped me a lot because I struggle so much and people blame it on my clothing or the fact I listen to “dark music” but I just enjoy being goth man doesn’t have anything to do with my mental health
This. So very much. My mental health is a separate issue. Some things may over lap at times some what ...but imo that really doesn't mean much... Goth / Dark Wave / Gothic , etc. ( what ever you wanna call it ) music and things help me emotionally regulate , the lyrics or look resonate with me , inspire me , etc. ( and can some times help me feel less alone in the world )
I HATE the fact people think only white people can be goth and need to be extremely pale anyone can be goth and just because you like goth music doesn't mean you have to dress goth or wear all black like you said some people just like the music and maybe not the style.
The two I've heard the most are "depressed" & "satanists" which is completely bullsh*t. I knew a few goths in high school and they were all really chill and laid back. Btw congrats on the nearly 4K subs Madi 👏🥳
fr. i'm not goth (i don't really listen to the music, so) but i *am* inspired by gothic fashion and makeup (as well as fashion/makeup from other subcultures, but mostly gothic styles). personally, when i'm feeling depressed, i do *not* have the energy to dress up or do crazy makeup, so the stereotype that all goths are depressed just doesn't even make sense to me. it takes a good amount of effort to do drastic makeup/dress up a lot, i really can't see that many depressed people going out of their way to do all of that stuff
Ive been at goth/Metal head since highschool. i don't put myself in any category ,but it sad sometimes how people react. i once was waiting in my mom's car for her to finish shopping at the co-op i work at, my job is great as are the people i work with, this older lady was in the car next to me and she looks at me and threatened to kill me. i always wear jeans and an obscure black metal/doom metal band shirt. The world is falling apart ,lets renew instead of destroying each other.
I’m happiest when I’m in my heavy makeup and layers of black everything. When I’ve got the energy to do it, I feel amazing when I dress up. I have been called a witch once, though. Thought it was funny, considering I’m a Christian and my best friend sitting next to me in her Pride tee is the actual Wiccan. 😂
Fun fact, even satanist people arent really what others belive. The common knowledge is just this typical "cult" stuff that doesn't even really exist and is practized by crazy people who are sick in their head. Modern satanism and religious beliefs in the more "satanic" or "dark" direction aren't actually dark at all. Anton Szandor LaVey wrote a nice book and CoS for example is just a troll religion as to luciferanism for example is beliving in Lucifer as the one who gave us free will because he stood up against god. So there is even MORE irony in that when people call goths satanic and actually have no clue about both. Satanist people are usually nicer than catholics who cite bible verses in comments :) Modern satanism could be described as "Live your life and don't fucking care about what others do as long it doesn't hurt anyone and every sentient being is of equal worth" ... This information is brought to you by a satanist goth who is diagnosed with depression but lives a happy life lol.
I don't really know how someone can look at someone in a full goth look and think "Wow, that person must be depressed." What they are looking at is a happy person, a goth on a good day. Their hair is done, their outfit is well co-ordinated, their makeup is on point, they look and feel good, too. Maybe they started out on a bad day, but they are doing something that makes them happy and I think that's far, far from what someone going through a depressive episode dresses like. It's when a goth starts dressing like "normal people" is when you should be worried.
thats because first people have no idea what goth is (me neither I am metal) and people have no idea what depression is. A straight up desease that eats u alive. If theyd know that they probaply wont assume that
For fucking real, dude. If I’m depressed why would I spend so much time and effort to look like a damn snack of a corpse? If I’m having a down day, I sure as hell ain’t caking up my face. My other issue is thinking that Goths are unapproachable/mean/into some bad shit.Lol, not me. I’m timid as hell and full of anxiety. Just because I look mean doesn’t mean you can’t talk to me. You also won’t find me in a dark alley making shady deals when there’s an arts and crafts store down the street.😂
I agree, when someone is depressed they aren't going to wear layers of lace and jewelry and put on crazy makeup. Your going to stay in sweats that you've been wearing all week and eat a pint of ice cream.
A huge issue within the subculture right now are all of the goth 'influencers' only ever talking about the clothes that they get for free from 'dark' brands. They present an image that is unattainable for most people and perpetuate the idea that you have to dress in brand name clothes to be goth. I call it the Kardashianization of the subculture. The fetishization of women in the subculture pisses me off so much. Fortunately I haven't experienced it online because I never post photos of myself and I'm 50. I'm out of the preferred age range.
I totally hear you on how frustrating fetishization is in the subculture. 🙁 It doesn’t help that some female influencers portray that fetishized stereotype. There’s nothing wrong with that, but Im saying that it doesn’t make things easier for some of us who don’t want that kind of attention. We should be able to dress goth and express ourselves without creeps treating us like objects.
I see those "new" goths as people who like alt fashion nothing else. The fetishisatzion thing on the other hand is something spreading across tiktok almost in many ways like cosplayers or even people pretending to be asian and stuff.
Goths rare beauty isn't for the mouth breathers. Post those pictures if it makes you feel happy and break their hearts. If you do it enough maybe they will find their own goth.
i think the "Satanist" stereotype is the most egregious. most people who assume goths are satanists dont even understand satanism to begin with. it can be quite discouraging to theistic goths who are active members of their religion to be alienated from it because of something trivial like their music taste/clothing choices (nothing is trivial btw).
I had an intervention done on me once because relatives were concerned about my supposed interest in Satanism. I had merely read Marilyn Manson's autobiography which mentioned some of the basic tenets of the religion. What he said about it went against my preconceived notions of what it was about (worshipping the pure innocence of babies, not baby sacrifices) and I thought I'd share that curious knowledge with others. Big mistake!
@@popeofblack yeah, people demonize Satanism because they refuse to take the time to understand it because of simple brainwashing done by Christianity.
I blame Marilyn Manson and the 1990's for these god-awful stereotypes, it's like the Greaser stereotypes or the punk stereotypes. It's usually made by posers, the media and people who don't understand anything about these groups.
Yeah, for the 'goth is expensive' argument, it always baffled me. It's totally true that goth, especially old school goth, feels mostly like DIY, so yeah, I feel you. I never got an article from a 'goth' brand; I use random crap I collect as accesories wherever it fits the aesthetic, get most of my clothes from thrift stores and just experiment with them and I feel pretty goth while doing so
It's so annoying when other darkly inclined alternative people,mostly metalheads,but also some goths,say stuff to me like "oh you've never been in a pit? you're such a poser". "you don't like heavy music and headbanging? you're not really alternative","hahah they say they're goth and they think maneskin or linkin park is heavy music". Like one of the reasons goth has become my fav type of music is bc it has a very chill,low-key,low energy sound. i wanna dance like i'm picking up apples in slow motion. i wanna get lost in a dark but calming,atmospheric sound. I'm anemic and autistic and get overwhelmed by a lot of loud sounds,so i hate when people make me feel like i'm too weak to be goth or alternative. it's just so stupid.
The one that always used to annoy me is when people try to deny that goth is a music based culture and only about fashion and aesthetic based. This is pretty ridiculous but some people get very offended by it and don’t feel they have to listen to the music to be in the subculture and whenever you point out the true meaning of goth you get the elitists label accusation which always makes me laugh as these people would probably piss themselves if they actually met a real elitist lol.
I think if you relate to being goth, then you should and probably will learn about the music. Not saying you must give up all other types of music and only listen to Bauhaus. To me, being goth is not how I look or the music I listen to, it’s how I feel inside…that leads to the rest. Most days, I’m in black. And some days I feel like a floral frock that I can wear while running through a field.
I bust the stereotypes of "only young whites can be Goth," and "all Goths are depressed, Satanist, dress only in black," but fit the ones about death metal, black metal, speed metal, hair metal, promiscuity, and kink, lol! I grew up with the Cure, Bauhaus and Siouxsie, and the Banshees, too, though. I'm an African American Atheist Boomer elder Goth and perky Goth, swinger, and BD/SM switch, lol!
Thank you for the respectful way you described emos, most goths I’ve watched have been nasty about emos. I am emo, but I dress punky, but I have massive respect for goths. Much love to all the alternative subcultures 🖤
i mean unfortunately, i could see why some goths tend to look down on emos. they can be annoying at times, no offense, but aint to say all are. im goth, and i dont mind emos myself as long as they dont got a problem with me.
What pisses me off the most is when people ignorantly think Goths listen to Metal. Goth and Metal music are two completely different music styles. Can a Goth listen to and like Metal music? Of course. However, Goth is a MUSIC based subculture with a very specific style and sound.
The stereotype of goths being kinky and promiscuous is so infuriating to me. Like for example, I'm goth but I'm also asexual aromantic, and having creepy ass people message me with suggestive comments or even pictures is so annoying.
the internet and its gross "uwu big tiddy goth gf" bullshit is also a huge part of that, imo at least like people who say that shit are just a 10 on the scale of annoying, who would literally take no interest in learning what it means to be goth but want that "exotic" experience
I am a goth from the 80s who is now 54. I have friends who are goths that are accountants, lawyers, teachers etc. I have friends who still dress in the goth style every day and some that might only wear black or a band t-shirt for a club night or gig. I think your video is great. We are all individuals. My 'phase' has lasted over 40 years. Also, if you don't know their stuff, check out O Children. Their vocalist Tobi is a goth of colour Was so sad when they split up. First saw them at Whitby and they were brilliant.
SKIN COLOR! So sorry but that with always have me thinking back to a particular night. Dark-skinned black guy tries to get in the club, gets warned that his colorful clothing will make him stick out, changes into his birthday suit and enters the club followed by quite a bit of cheering. Nothing but respect for that guy. As she said goth grew out of punk, and there's nothing quite so punk as subversively following the suggestion. Sure, he was cheered for showing so much, but more so for beating the bouncer at her own thing, though no one, even the bouncer, was upset. That guy *belonged* in a way some of us only hoped we belonged. Fuck rules, even unofficial ones that are mere suggestions. It's not the clothes, it's not the skin color, it's the attitude and the appreciation the music.
The thing about the depression stereorype. It takes a lot of effort to put on all these clothes/jewelry/hair/makeup and then go out and deal with others and their judgeyselves. While i can’t speak to everyones experience for me when i was at my lowest i did everything to blend in and avoid attention from others. Because i just couldn’t handle it. Black is my happy color. I dress the way i do to make myself feel pretty, and it makes me feel more confident. Outsiders just don’t see it the way we do.
@@froxyanicotti if they’re scared that’s their issue not ours. They can just stay in a cave cause other people shouldn’t change to make others more comfortable especially if it’s someone who’s such a loser they can’t handle looking at someone who’s dresses goth because it “scares” them. What if y’all in ur jeans and tshirts scare meee?????????? Hmmmm?
Yeah, today I wasn't feeling well but then I did my hair, put on some accessories and the look temporarily cured my EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder)
The skin color thing really bothers me, even though I'm slavic and basically paper white. If someone says this they straight up don't know the history of goth (which is expected from the mainstream but some goths say this shit too ://). Like hello UK Decay? (And everyone you mentioned!) Absoulte black icons. She Past Away??? They are brown-skinned, they look pretty white on pictures because of the makeup, but anyone who saw them live knows, they are brown. And really fucking iconic, it literally takes a massive amount of ignorance to say goth is white.
Before being goth being introduced to goth music, in grade school (ie middle school to highschool) I used to be more scene and I've noticed that it's not just Goths that are fetishist. Most ppl in alternative subcultures are sexualized, I remember that I was called 'sl*t' or 'wh*re' or asked about sexual things a lot. I was sent home b/c I was wearing fishnets and that was "crossing the line", and I was just a kid: I wasn't being promiscuous or inappropriate. I just hope people in all alternative scenes can be more understood and feel safe expressing themselves🖤
ikr my parents refused to let me wear anything like chokers, corsets, fishnets, leather, studded belts, etc bc they thought it was part of SM/fetish culture and I'd get harrassed and sexualized for wearing it. 😔
I'm a 49 year old goth. I have kids. I have a death hawk but I don't always glue it up. My hair is and always will be black. I love black and red but that's just me. I have stretched ear lobes. That's my most extreme piercing. I love what I have going on and if anyone tells me I'm not goth can just go over there and stay over there lol
I don't think there's anything inherently wrong or bad about being kinky or promiscuous, but it does feel weird when people associate me with that just because I wear chokers or leather. being asexual and goth is hard :/
Thank you for your video. Some people sometimes tell me i'm not a real Goth because I don't dress Goth even if i wear black dresses in winter or put black nailpolish. I'm 49, i'm Goth since the 80s and i'm listening to Goth music since 35 years
I wanted to drive a hearse since I was like 8, way before I knew what “goth” is (aside from architecture). It seems like such stylish AND practical vehicle.
Perky goth pride! 🦇🦇🦇 Thanks for tackling the skin-colour topic. That shouldn't have to exist. Even Sex Gang Children had an Afro-British member, as you've mentioned. Yes, this kind of racism is harmful. One other stereotype is the bat tattoos, but that one applies to me. Hahaha I think one thing the needs to be talked about is that goths don't have to like classic post-punk. Dark wave and ethereal wave are a big part of the subculture, and that's totally fine if people want to rotate around that side of the genre. I was oblivious to this form of elitism because I've loved gothic rock and post-punk for years, but now I want to bring more attention to it so that people don't get shut out of the scene for not liking Siouxsie Sioux and Joy Division.
Very great video. Myself are a bit tired about the phase thing. I am this month 53 and still goth since the 80s. And I don’t know how many stereotypes people said through all years to me. And many times people thought it was ok to pull my hair and so, just cause I looked different. And I agree, you can listen to other stuff too. The musicians do that, so why shouldn't we be able to do that? Nowadays I buy more stuff, but that depends on my pain in my hands. But I still do some diy. Must confess, all diy isn't cheap. Used to sew hole outfits including corsets. And when you added all you wanted it could be expensive in the end. I still have things I made 20 years ago. Thanks for the video and love your style 🦇🖤🖤🖤🖤🦇
I also do a lot of my accessory shopping in pet stores. Great source for cheap chains, leather/spiked collars for necklaces,arm bands, and bracelets. Depending on how thin you are large leather collars can be belts with stud's and chains on them or added to a bigger belt. Just keep your eyes and mind open and you can find good stuff cheap almost anywhere.
It did me good to hear this, especially as on old-school "freak" from the early 80s when I discovered The-music-that-gets-you-beaten-up-at-school and The-bands-you-listen-to-that-make-your-parents-kick-you-out-of-the-house. When having two piercings in one ear made you a "witch." When "Hey, is it Halloween??" was the cleverest insult ever pulled from the Unoriginal Insults book. I was a thrift-store goth back then, made my own outfits out of whatever I could find that I could work with. I frequently wore only white, or red, or all polka-dots. Even among the goths of my day, I did not belong, and I realized that people are people under all the trimmings. Today, I would love to just go to a kick-ass club and dance for hours like I used to. It's harder now, to find the time, to have the energy and the will to dress up. I love seeing goths in public these days, love to see the passion and enthusiasm still alive (or as undead as Bella Lugosi). ; ) Carry on, my dears. Be brave, be proud, be careful, be true to yourselves.
i been goth since 1996 to this very day, to be goth is a form of just self-expression, also incorporates along with dark side of life as well, gothic art, Victorian era art, architecture, the music scene (industrial, goth rock, etc), dark poetry, horror, so much more. it's not just about the music, it's much more than that. basically a big mix of things. ya should've added that much into your video here too. the rest aye you got it on the nose too.
I listen to the likes of Bathory, Kreator, Dio, Ramones, Bowie, and various New Wave acts so I’d consider myself a metalhead and a punk but I’ve always appreciated and admired everything goth while not exactly being goth myself. I think it’s especially because goth culture derives a lot from New Wave and especially 70’s punk. I’ve especially been mesmerized by Simon Gallup’s bass line in “Sinking,” definitely my favorite Cure song so far. You pull off your style with great finesse and is very 80’s (I love the 80’s, especially the alternative scenes in the 80’s). Maybe another topic to bring up is how the majority of goths are not scary people and are actually quite tame compared to most other people, not to mention intelligent, well read and cultured in many things.
I’m so glad you brought up race when it came to goths. I was welcomed by the goths and emo kids when I got to high school and I’m so glad for that. I liked a lot of metal and was always curious about goth/industrial/darkwave etc. Everyone I met was so awesome and accepted me regardless if I was a mixed person. Being told I’m not black enough or not white enough was never brought up. 🤘🏾
I'm pushing 50 and have been goth since the early 80s. This is a great informative video, that is very well thought out and well put together. Keep up the good work young lady you are amazing. The over sexualization and lure treatment of young lady's and women in our sub culture has unfortunately been around in the culture since the beginning. It is really something that needs to be stamped out I wish more people would just treat you all with the respect all of you dark queens deserve. Just like all women deserve.
love this! and great job. I'm 57 and have been punk/goth since 1979. All we had was diy. Me and my friends copied the bands' style. Along the way, I learned to buy quality, classic clothing pieces and pair them to create a style that could be worn to work and maintain that dark theme.I also bought items at thrift stores and walmart. I didn't wear black exclusively either. There was a period where I hardly ever "looked" goth. That's life, having children, working, etc. A lot of time I chose to "tone it down" to keep the peace lol. I kept my unique style that was as overstated or subtle as I felt I needed to be. Diy is still fun, and I prefer not to look like a billboard with bats, pentagrams and witch themes on my clothes, looool, but that's just me.
Thank you for covering so much in this video!! It really upsets me how many negative stereotypes there are. One that you didn't mention that bugs me a lot is that goths must have a bad relationship with their parents and that either messed them up to be this way or it made them want to rebel. I have a great relationship with my parents, and my dad even took me to WGT as a graduation present!
Oh yeah that definitely is one that I also get bothered with a lot! The most recent thing they’ve come up with is “fatherless child”. I can’t believe I forgot that one!
Thank you so much for this. 🙏🏻I’m a 62 yr old Elder Goth. I’m also a Pagan Witch. It’s more about the subculture and music not just the look. I don’t do the full on goth makeup but black eyeliner is my best friend. 90% of my clothes and decor is thrifted. My furniture is antique but I haven’t painted it all black as although that would look great it would be a sin to paint over beautiful antique wood grain. Lol but I goth it up with skulls, candles etc. I have lots of black and red in my cottage, black net curtains and black web tablecloths etc. As you so aptly said there’s no need to spend lots of $’s to be goth. So nice to hear this great advice from a young person. 🖤🖤🖤 BTW I have an eclectic taste in music having lived through many decades lol
I remember when my nephew used to think that "bad guys" wear black lipstick. Then I had to ask him if he thought I was a good guy and he says yes. Then I show him a picture of myself in Gothic makeup with black lipstick on. He was 6 at this time so his mind was blown away. Now he's 12 going on 13 and is open to whatever.
Great video! Re: "Goths are promiscuous," one of the best thing about the goth scene is how LGBT+ friendly it is. I'm both goth and a sex-repulsed asexual, and seeing people think all goths are into kinky sex or BDSM brings me personal ire. So many of us aren't into sex, sorry to disappoint the "BTGG" crowd. 🙄
tysm for this video! i am a baby bat and it's been hard for me to separate my preconceived notions about what goths are like, but this really helped me to solidify my understanding :)
Speaking of racism within the goth community there's a lot of them emerging through the subculture on the internet. Fourms, discord servers and such! It's the other extreme where most of the owners act like tyrannical megalomaniac's thinking they're the princes or princesses of goth and whatever they say goes. It's indredibly damaging to the subcultures reputation when you have new people getting into it thinking that you need to be a jerk to be goth because the people they're looking up to for guideance act aggressive and petty.
I'm a "White" chick and it really amazed me that some people gatekeep Goth so horribly especially gatekeep so hard as to be so ridiculously racist. ( but racists always have been absolutely ridiculous any way so....why did I get amazed again? 🤷♀️ ) And yeah , just the being a bullying donkey in general even if they haven't shown any racism but are jerks about other things really makes me so sad & angry. I fear for the baby bats getting the wrong idea of what's ok and not ok when it comes to behaviour. I plead to baby bats to please please don't follow the example of the odd gatekeeping jerks online that think it's ok to be extremely rude and condescending to others. imo if you are trying to "teach" some body what they already know about Goth , especially in a very abusive and negative way - ( and picking on every little thing about a person and saying things like "you're not a Goth if you wear bright colors or listen to other music" ) ....that's not teaching. That's gatekeeping and bullying.
Thanks for letting us know that you dont have to be branded as anything to be goth like for an example “as a babybat” or anything imma continue mixing and matching my aesthetics to be my own type of goth and not be like anyone else ❤
You're everyone's favorite Goth. I want to Thank You for steering me to another professional hearse dealer you mentioned in your hearse video. They have the best selection of used coaches I have ever seen. They currently have a coach finished in French Vanilla! I'm thinking of selling my 96 Federal coach that I have had for 10 years. It's still a head turner, but I would feel more comfortable in a much newer one. What other luxury car can you go shopping with that will hold ten 40lb bags of coal, all your groceries, and room to spare if you stop at a garage sale? The hearse bug bit me around 1970 when I owned TWO flawless 1961 Caddy coaches. Once you drive a hearse and realize it's useful qualities, you will always want one. Of course I have other cars as well. You can't always take the hearse. I have some very funny stories about that!
Hello Madi. I'm glad I discovered you through this video. Ok, I'm going to break most of these stereotypes. Born in 1965. Class of 1983. I'm 56. I'm Christian. Go to 3 churches. Listen to all kinds of music. I sometimes wear other colors, but black most all the time. I love dance, especially ballet. Love flowers, butterflies, and all kinds of animals, not just spiders and snakes (my faves). Watch all kinds of movies and tv shows. Love theatre, orchestra, drama, opera. Only have 2 tats; one Navy, one prison. 2 piercings; one in each ear lobe. Not kinky. Don't even have sex 😂, cuz I'm completely dedicated to God. No drugs. A tiny bit of white wine on occasion. I'm friendly, outgoing, joyful, compassionate, and an empath. I smile, laugh, make jokes. I'm simply all over the place. Goth just happens to be the subculture I belong to, and black is my favorite color. 🖤
Thank you for bringing up the "Goth Girlfriend" trope... It's harmful and not ok for people to make comments like these to anyone! Idk why people think that just bc someone is goth then they can intrude by asking personal questions about sexual things... It drives me nuts! And I see many girl in my sons elementary grade glass wearing a lot of gothic style clothing and I could not imagine these young girls growing up and getting these comments and questions...
People are pretty close minded and just believe what they are conditioned to. I’m a metal head so I’ve known a few goths and they as you say are just normal people just like everyone else. I don’t get bothered in the street because I just wear band T shirts and a hoodie and jeans. Can’t imagine the bs goths go through.
it's only bs if you are a poser. i LOVE my wardrobe of midnight skies, i love all my beautifle platform boots, having classic hairstyles and what i enjoy even more is to gatekeep the heck for my community so the posers get rooted out quickly, there is just no space for tiktok trash who think they are goth because they wear a black shirt and act moody...you say you are a metalhead, you are pretty mcuh the most mainstream ''subculture'' there is you do not know struggles and your clothes are mainstream seeing rock used to be the pop in the 80's and 90's So just let us have OUR little community and meddle in your own affairs of drinking beer and yelling slayer at random times allright ?
@@KimchiYeo I think you missed the point. @Davescousemetal is saying that they're aware that goths are just like regular people, but that it's unfortunate that goths have to put up with much more bullying or social disapproval just because of how they look - because goth style isn't as "under the radar" as metalhead style. They're sympathizing with and supporting the goth community, and you're going to lash out in response?? That makes no sense.
I hate with a passion the "goths are K!nky" I was so turned off by goth because of that, and because it in my real life lead to mistakes ad people mistaking me! some are and sometimes are, but alot are just Goth not *that kind of goth*
I am definitely the "goth kid" that never was. I absolutely LOVE the music, and I really wish I expressed that a little more when I was younger. At least I've always been goth on the inside!
Totally agree here. We just want to express the things we like and we feel more like ourselves doing it, but we are all different and none of us are going to fit unrealistic stereotypes.
One thing that Ive noticed as a baby bat is that I'm afraid I won't be deemed goth because I haven't found a goth band that I'm absolutely obsessed with that I love every song of, I have found a lot of soungs that I love and I have found that I really love depeche mode, type o negative, christian death, bauhaus but I don't love every single one of their songs, I mean type o negative have a song about cumming and I just couldn't get into that one 🤣 I think theres this stereotype especially for girls that if you wear a band tee or say you love a band that you have to know every song, I know personally that Ive been asked countless times "name one song!" Or do you even know who they are and then I'll name some songs and be like yea bro and then they'll still call you a poser
Know this... anyone calling you a poser IS the actual poser. You absolutely don't have to have a single band that you're obsessd with or to know and love every single song ever put out by a given band. That's simply ridiculous for people to attempt to invalidate you because you don't live up to THEIR personal, arbitrary, checklist of requirements. The whole essence of what it is to be goth is that you are allowed to be whoever you are. You are allowed to like what you like and express yourself in whatever way you'd like and no one who is a true goth is going to judge you for that. In fact a true goth is unlikely to judge anyone for just about anything. Someone in a previous comment said they believed that goth wasn't actually "only about the music," that there was something more to it. And I knew I immediately agreed with that statement but I couldn't exactly pin-point why... until I then read your comment and realized that THAT is the something more. People who are goth at heart are genuinely accepting of, and not just accepting of but highly value, the individuality other people. We don't place expectations on others to be a certain way or to fit a predetermined mold. By its nature, goth DOESN'T comply with the fictional rules and restrictions that the rest of the world has decided to play by! We typically ARE the outcasts because we don't neatly fit into society's opinion of what is "acceptable" to do, or say, or look like, or listen to, or feel in the company of "normal," everyday society. We are intrigued, pleased, and excited to see the many different ways that other people find and choose to incorporate in order to represent themselves (and creativity in this respect is highly admired). Nothing is off limits. Nothing is disqualifying. It is our uniqueness that unites us, if that makes sense. And as such, we celebrate people who are true to themselves and aren't afraid to be who they are. It's almost as if we are constantly seeking out other people who "do their own thing," even if the mainstream is completely oblivious to the differences among us. Who cares what mainstream thinks, what do they know? And who cares if some idiot posers tell you you're a poser? Really, they're just projecting, anyway. If someone calls you a poser I'd be willing to bet that they're just lashing out at you because they're jealous and wish they had the courage to be as cool as you.
I've been goth since the mid 90's and I've yet to meet ANY goth that claims to like all of any band's music. It's more 'do you enjoy the genre in general'. Claiming that you have to pick a band and memorize their entire discography and love it all is a very gatekeepy thing to do. As the other person that replied said, those people are the posers. Anymore it just feels like so much 'gotta cut out the competition by making them sound like cringe posers so I can keep my tiktok follower count up' and as an elder goth, that shit sucks.
Not expensive to be goth. Most of my stuff is from the Halloween section, homemade crafts, and Occult shops. I'm almost 40 and have done this since I was 13. Not a phase. Also I don't drink or smoke. Well I drink beet juice because it looks like blood and it's healthy. As for the music I love Romanian klezmer and indie. Can't judge a book by it's cover,unless it's the bible lol!
Thank you for saying you dont have to wear make up, I have sensitive skin and make up doesnt agree with me. This video makes me feel more comfortable being myself, so thank you, youre awesome!!!!!❤
Part of why I don't exactly have the look is exactly that : sensitive skin. My skin has gotten so sensitive over the years. Really committing to cosmetics and such , even if I didn't have a crappy skin condition and sensitive skin....it's work. As long as they haven't been a jerk to me personally , I have so much love and respect for other Goths. Especially those that go full Goth in their prep. That's some freaking dedication. I may be a semi - lazy Goth who rarely wears make up and wears semi - "normie" / "normal" looking clothes but I'm still Goth , darn it! Loving comfy clothes isn't a bad thing! 😂 I love the Goth aesthetic when it comes to the fashion side of things but omg I don't need to dress up to know that it's so much work to have a Goth look. Especially if you do want to spring for the expensive bits or even just DiY. ( just getting basics before you Goth it up is a whole thing , I'm sure ) I had some trouble just trying to get a simple Winter f i t / "ready for the cold days" thing together. 😅 I got it all now though! I hope to get some extra layers and such later but I will have to wait on that since I'm down to just dollars and change atm thanks to my last shopping trip getting presents for people and lots of food , drinks , a couple of fun things like a disco ball and snacks , etc. 🤣
I think I feel almost guilty of "spreading" those stereotypes among my friends, just because I kinda fit a few of them. If someone doesn't meet a lot of goths, it's probably easy for them to assume that all (or most) goths are like the one they just happened to stumble upon. Which is still a very harmful assumption, of course, because we shouldn't generalize. But I can understand how it could happen like this. Still, it was pretty fun to watch this video, from my pov as a trad goth who loves black metal, is perpetually depressed and actually a satanist. :D
Thanks for your video!! Thanks for mentioning the misconception that goth isn't for everyone, BIPOC goths are awesome and knew some back in my teen years (I'm First Nations/Native American myself..) My teen years to my mid-20's were my goth days.. (batcaver) and people always assumed I was depressed, on drugs or whatever awful excuse they could think of just to be mean to me and my friends. I always held doors open for elderly people and worked with seniors and did errands for people with disabilities. At first they were freaked out by the way I looked, but after they saw that I wanted to help they opened their minds. I was working poor so I always thrifted clothing (or stole dress shirts from my grandfather's closet..lol) and wore a lot of vintage 30's-50's clothing with my black suede buckle boots... I would dye certain pieces black, or just wear the 50's ball gown with combat boots.. aaahh..thanks for the kick-start to the good old goth day memories for me.. I miss my BIG teased goth hair, but I still rock purple and black lipstick from time to time.. heh heh :)
I think you’re absolutely right in every regard in this video. I absolutely adore you and the fact you drive a hearse. I hope to one day myself own one. I think that you are so gorgeous and have a beautiful way of expressing yourself in all aspects. Much love, just subbed. 🖤🦇🥀
The point you made in the beginning about how the symbols we wear as goths might be confusing or misleading can also go into the point you made about race and skin color and how you do not need to be white to be goth, people might say it’s misleading because a lot of us wear white or very pale foundation and face makeup, but I always tell them that we wear that not to whitewash ourselves, but because the whole aesthetic and culture is kind of involved with like you said, vampirism and death. And the white foundation is to make us look “dead” basically, not more white. If you are Asian, black, middle eastern etc and goth, you can definitely wear white foundation too. Not just white people :))) I really loved this video
I love me a good pale corpse-looking gothic style but ngl been trying to follow more goth poc on socials and becoming much more aware how little paleness actually does for the whole aesthetic in the end. It's more about cool and desaturated tones than lightness.
Yeah, especially the depression and satanist steriotypes annoy me. Sure there are a few edgelords, but every scene has tose. Also that many people think goth music is atype of meta. Yes I like metal too, but goth and metal are two completely different things.
Thank you for this! People always question me and are like “You’re not goth 👺” Just because I don’t dress goth all the time. And because I’m a pretty joyful smiley person, and they expect all goths to be into heavy drugs and be depressed. So really thank you for this because I really feel much better about myself 😅
@@nightchild4468 You must have missed the point of the video where I stated multiple times that goth is about enjoying the music. Not sure how you got to the conclusion that we can never have spelling mistakes…
Man, there's a bunch of you all out here giving off some negative vibes. If you can't say anything nice, please don't say anything at all. Weren't you taught the golden rule? In case you don't know what that is, it is this: treat others the way you would like to be treated. Thank you, and I still love you.
I agree, I sometimes add a little bit of color, pending on my headspace and what accessible stuff I have that's clean or still fits. Still a goth. Hell, even my makeup is something I take a break with occasionally during a flare up. For the record, I'm 40. I've heard it all. " I'm too old for goth, I don't listen to the right music, I smile too much" blah blah blah. I'm still a goth
Another I've bumped into a lot is how some people expect all Goths to have the same political opinions, and always in the extreme for some reason. And the not-not-so-harmful but annoying one that you're not a "real goth" or just faking it if you dress in "normal outfits" every now and again.
Yes. It bothers me when some people are like " if you're not a leftist then you're not a real Goth" , I disagree with that & it feels like such an attack to me personally... ( 😅😂 ) ( I consider my self apolitical but I have been watching "leftist" tiktok compilations because they are interesting and shows me a lot about other people's opinions and I have learned a lot about things I wouldn't haven't known about or thought much about if it weren't for these compilations ) I have considered my self Goth for a very very long time and I never really thought about politics having any thing to do with being Goth.....so when some butt head started going off about "Goth politics" , I was like wtf does that even mean. I under stand Goth & I under stand what politics means by them selves but putting them together to me throws me off because I think Goths can range in a / the political spectrum. ...can't remember thinking much about politics in general very much usually until much much later like seriously wasn't until perhaps around 2020 that I started thinking more and more about politics and certain things...Thanks for your video & I agree with a lot / most of what you said. Personally I think "Goth" / "Gothic" goes back even further than the 80's and it it's just that it really became a big thing starting in the 80's but that's just my own belief and opinion , I am thinking of elaborating more on this in a video I might make some day as part of a series I've thought of doing explaining what it means to me , why I think the way I do about what Goth means to me , the real people and the characters who were part of how and why I got into Goth , the research I've done , etc. Apologies for the essay. 😂
@@kalezuki9231 No I agree with this, especially considering the amount of Goth subcultures we have today. I'd understand if someone was making the claim that being punk and heavily supporting an authoritarian government was contradicting. But you can't seriously look at a Victorian goth and claim that their fashion sense/music/taste is clearly political and if it's not they're "faking it". What would that even mean?
@@kalezuki9231Finally someone said it, obviously since punk and goth are the counter culture it makes sense that a lot of the youth and left leaning people would be attracted to this culture, but it really grinds my gears when everyone is so up your ass about it. Like I get it, and it’s nice to have things to care about/fight for and while I agree with most of it, I don’t agree with all of it. I’m my own person and I consider myself center, however I would get slammed against the wall for that and I’m like but why though? I’m an individual with my own opinions and thoughts I don’t have to follow some hive mind, that’s the most anti punk/goth thing ever 😂 🖤
I don't consider myself exactly goth, mostly a metalhead with a lot of post punk and deathrock favorites as well, but I haaattteee the "it's just a phase" crap that gets thrown at people. Just the other week I got an annoying comment about how I'm just "figuring out my identity" at this age, but ever since the gateway drug that was the alt rock and metalcore I got into 7ish years ago, I've only gotten more into "alternative" music 🤷 But people will look at someone wearing all black and listening to metal and automatically assume it's just some angsty teen phase you'll grow out of because they can't seem to wrap their heads around someone's taste in music just being a positive and important aspect of their life. Idk, I'm rambling
A few years ago I made several short comics featuring a goth girl in the leading role. When I showed them to other people, some of them said that she didn't look like a "real" goth, because they thought she smiled too much and looked too colorful. Then I just thought to myself "I've been a goth and playing in bands since the mid-1980ies, when you guys weren't even born yet, or just toddlers, so what the hell do you really know?" and then just went on doing it the way I like it! XD
Thank you for the goth can like metal part because where im from they no nothing about bauhaus or the true goth scene i became goth through evanescence and i looked at what she used to listen to and that is how i found the cure bjork etc. That was my only taste of goth culture.....im glad i can finally put the final pieces together and appreciate goth and its roots even more.
I identify as a goth yet I dress "trendy" during summer just because the sun makes me melt when I go out in black, I wear my gothic attire on nights out and during winter mainly but I was always scared people thought I was a poser. Thank you for the video addressing these things 🖤
Thank you for this, wish more people understood how harmful stereotypes are, and goths that don't fall into the stereotype getting called "not real goths" or "do it for attention". Like no, I shouldn't have to act a certain way, I'm fine the way I am
Goth is a great lifestyle, also, it would be great if some people do not judge us in that superficial way and respect the different kinds of lifestyles and ways of being, at the end we are all human, and we all deserve respect and live as we want 🖤🖤, I agree with your point of view and I like a lot your outfits Madi 💜
I was a teenager in the 1980s. I had to live in the countryside miles from anywhere for a bit until I left home at 16 and moved back to the city. By then I was wearing all black (ALL) with massive dyed-black hair etc. I didn't know what a goth was but people kept calling me a goth! I was a weirdo definitely with studs and self-made scruffy clothes and so on - and did personally also partake of a little (lot) drug taking and promiscuity... I still wear mostly black now, aged 52, but I'm still not a goth. Goths are great though. Your hair is fantastic :)
I dated a lady who was goth , she looked like a goth her house was like a Halloween set but sadly our music taste clashed she was only a metal head and had never listened to the traditional bat cave music , this really confused me
my family likes to joke that im goth (im not goth, im much more on the emo side) i go to religious schools and everyone picks on me for the way i like to dress and other things i enjoy. nobody in that school dressed like me or liked any music i listen to. idk how many times someone in the hallway said "whats with the chains? are u an egirl (the egirl thing is fucking annoying) i just like to dye my hair black or red, smudge some eyeliner on my face, and wear band tees and stripe long sleeves with black skinny jeans
I'm in my 40s and I've been a goth my whole life 🖤 it's hard to be goth in a hot climate like California or Arizona u can wear black but down risk your health to look a certain way just be careful especially when it's over 100 degrees take care dolls 🪆 🎶 ♥ 🖤💜🦇
As a 50 year old Deathrocker/Goth I agree 100% with the it's a phase & youth subculture thing being a ignorant stereotype as most of the Goth's I know are in their late 30s to early 50s
Feeling awkward as a goth who is depressed...and has an interest in necromancy and is a witch. But in my defense, I have been these things before I got into goth beyond the music and I will remain. 🖤
It’s nice to hear this because I get the age thing not that I necessarily care but I’m apparently too old, or it’s more of a girl thing is another lol. Oh and literally all the gothics I have met didn’t even smoke cigarettes no intoxicants.
i like that the subculture is so respectful when it comes to mental illness. even when they dont suffer from any, they wont shame you for having one. talking openly about these issues might have contributed to the depression stereotype.
I love this video, and I'm glad you took the time to talk about some troubling stereotypes. I see a number of comments that are angrily gatekeeping who can be goth, which is somewhat understandable. Every term has to mean something, so I get why they're trying to define it. But I think people need to be careful not to close the boundaries too tightly. If you say stuff like "you're not goth if you... are old/are young/are Christian/are Black/listen to multiple genres/like metal too/buy from "goth" brands/are cybergoth/dress casually/(insert other category)...", what is the point of that? Are you attempting to be as judgmental as the people who mock goths? Are you attempting to make things as uncomfortable and cliquey inside the subculture as it is for people outside of it? Can you really say you care about being different/rebellious/openminded if every goth has to be different in the same way YOU are? As someone who's more of a metalhead, metal culture has the same problem of intense gatekeeping sometimes. If you don't listen to OG heavy metal, or don't know all the lyrics from a particular band, or if you listen to other genres too... particularly annoying metalheads will tell you to gtfo and just stop listening to metal at all. Almost like joining a conversation with a bunch of geeky car-enthusiast dads who won't allow you to enjoy the conversation unless they grill you on car trivia first. I understand this urge, I really do. Being fully invested in a subculture is a lot of effort and takes up a good portion of one's free time. People who put in enough investment to go "all the way" start to feel a bit miffed if someone who put less effort in claims the same label. But please... use some nuance. It's alright if someone calls themselves "goth" even if they only are like 50% of what you would consider to be fully committed. It's different than someone who doesn't know anything at all claiming a label they have no part in. Rather than shaming people who are less invested than you, why not try being welcoming instead? They might want to stay longer if the community is good. Unless your whole goal is making sure fewer people are goth in order for you to be more "special".
I get the 'are cybergoth' one, though. That's not to say a person can't be both goth and cybergoth, but they are different subcultures and sadly a lot of people use them interchangeably, much the same as some people do with goth and emo. A person can be two things without those things being the same thing. As for the rest, well, I haven't seen anyone claiming, say, Christianity and goth are the same thing ... yet (and I hope I never do). It's sort of like what I had to explain to someone else a few years back (though it never sank in). Goth, emo, and xXSceneXx are different things, while a goth CAN wear pink if they want, the whole pink and black look seems more emo or possibly xXSceneXx, so telling people they can't be goth unless they wear both black and pink and listen MCR and Metallica is very wrong. Aside from black being popular, none of that is goth. Goths can enjoy those other things, but whether or not they are goth does not depend on that. Sadly, she still goes by the words of her favorite tiktok alternative trend gatekeeper, so she told me I don't actually know what goth even means, even if I've been goth since before the first issue of Carpe Noctum was published. (Great job to pink girlboss Anne Gwish 'wtf is a Bauhaus' there, that's the worst anyone's done it)
Sometimes something looks so plain and not cool and all it needs is a cool necklace with it or a chain leather belt... You can usually make thrift store buys look cool by the effort you put into it with things you already have or small modifications... My best pieces are thrift store buys or believe it or not Target... haha!
Just got your channel reccomended ^^ First of all, you look stunning. next, the Macintosh 128k is awesome ^^ about your video, a lot of what you say is true, also what i read in the comments section i can agree with for the most part. and yes, gothic is first of all the music, but I think it's also the confrontation with the transience and the aesthetics of death. another important aspect, which unfortunately loses more and more importance, is the acceptance of everyone. I think this is mainly due to the fact that there are a lot of "wannabe-goths" who only acquire the style but know little or nothing about the history and the music. About the Music: i listen to nearly every genre, as long as i like it, i hear it ^^
@nyralathotep That's a good point about "the confrontation with the transience and the aesthetics of death". In all the comments above I've not seen much discussion about the Gothic iconography of skulls, gravestones, crosses, bats, blood, candles, ravens etc, which can surely be classified under "aesthetics of death". Why are they so fascinating? Showing interest in such things does tend to disturb a certain narrow-minded sort of person...
I've always considered myself a Metalhead with Goth tendencies. Mainly because I don't listen to a lot of the main goth bands. I fall more into listening to bands like Type O Negative, Dawn of Ashes, and such, and even go as far as stuff as Blutengel, Massive Ego, And One, Solar Fake, and so on. Basically, Synthwave, Industrial and Gothic Metal, Even HIM is one of my all-time favorite bands. I have faced many stereotypes myself. I've heard that because I'm not white, I can't be goth. Or that because I don't listen to stuff like the Smiths that I can't be goth. Also the whole Satanist thing, or depression... I mean, I am a Satanist and I suffer from chronic depression. Those things, as you said, attribute nothing to it. I pretty much do my own thing. I'm an introverted, nihilistic, misanthrope. Also has nothing to do with being goth. there's also the whole thing of people thinking we drink blood and sacrifice babies and whatever rhetoric their impotent minds come up with to try and add stigma to a culture that just celebrates one being themselves. This is a great video. I hope more people see it. Hopefully, it helps shine some light on the subject and maybe closed-minded people can become more aware.
Goth is just a Dark doom and gloom version of punk. I remember seeing early 45 Grave, Christian Death, Castration Squad Siouxse & the Banshees, Bau Haus.. Goth is like punk. Its an attitude not a depressed stereotype
