Goth: Pass or Fail?

Not saying that I’m an expert or anything, but I have been interested and partially a member of what can be considered goth. Labels are pretty lame, but in truth that’s just the way the human brain categorizes and sorts information. It’s all based on stereotypes which are developed for a reason: someone gave that representation and that’s your idea of definition of a certain group of people. Basically, if you meet a dumb blond cheerleader who’s got the widest spread legs for anyone who’s looking and you meet another cheerleader who’s just the same who’s to say your wrong in making that judgment? However, this does NOT make stereotypes acceptable to stamp judgment on people you do not know. You cannot assume you know a book by the cover alone. (Drizzt is a perfect example of this). You may group by generalizations, but only if you acknowledge that there will always be variances to these ideas.

Nonetheless, I digress… This isn’t an article about the psychology of stereotypes or prejudices! This is an article about hot sexy gothicness! Oh yes, goth is hot. I can’t understand people who think otherwise! Now of course, goth is a label and labels are only what you define them as… and even more to the point, what people find attractive also varies. This is simply my interpretation of attractiveness.

What I’d like to begin with is what some very confused people think is the representation of the “Gothic culture”. What bothers me most is while people look at these pictures and think ‘yeah, those goths are such freaks!’, there are always people that misrepresent each label. Not every bubblegum princess looks Esquire-worthy, and not every “goth” looks like the cream of the crop, but that’s not why people choose to dress the way they do! They do it because they like it and it works for them! Definitely not a reason to be judged.

So, back to my main point! The general populace regards Gothicness as some bitchy subculture of super-freaks who all indulge in s & m, extreme bondage, vampirism, cutting, hatredy, angsty, etc etc. This can be true for some whether it be because they fall into the trap of that’s the stereotype and that’s just what’s expected, OR it’s pure consequence that that’s just who they are.

These girls are a perfect example of what I’d consider Goth Fail. They are either mocking the look, or they are just trying way too hard. To me, people should just enjoy expressing themselves through their appearance and it comes naturally, not forced. You’re still a person just like everyone else, and alienating yourself does not stop ignorance, it just increases it

More Goth Fail? Here’s a famous one:

Web-induced idea of Goth #1

Kinda disturbing but funny

Now… what’s Goth Pass then?? This is what I consider some serious Goth Pass:

ABSOLUTE VERDICT?! Goth to me is sexy, seductive, creative, mysterious, expressionate, brave and daring, dark, unique, and definitely beautiful. What about you?