Gothic....

Gothic is a sub-cultural group that has been around since the 1980’s. It started in the United Kingdom as a section of the punk rock scene (“which was also a rejection of society values and anything considered the ‘norm’.”*1) and managed to form its own separate subculture which is still around to this day. There is a strong use of black in the Gothic culture which was “something of a backlash to the colorful disco music of the seventies.”*2. Goth or Gothic has a different meaning for each follower. It can be the usage of only the fashion to disassociate themselves from the rest of society, while others emerge themselves fully into the music, literature and ideas. "A lot of people turn to the Gothic subculture after having a hard time in school, feeling alienated, and looking for a way to express themselves that mirrors those feelings. Others find the scene through literature, still others want to be shocking, and some people just find black clothing slimming."*3 Gordon A. Crews, associate dean of the School of Justice Studies at Roger Williams University in Bristol, CT claims, “It is up to the individual to define what Goth is for themselves ... The mentality is, 'I want to be left alone but I want to be seen. I want to see the shock on other peoples' faces."

What attracted me to this notion of gothic? First and foremost is this idea of power that Goths have. People tend to be unsure of Goths and their motives for dressing this way. With the abundance of black in the clothing, jewellery and make-up so many people believe that Goths are Satanists or against God;

"GOTHS ARE PROUD OF THEIR SIN, PROUD TO PARADE AROUND LIKE SICK HALLOWEEN FREAK-SHOWS, PROUD TO DEGRADE THEIR BODIES WITH TATTOOS AND PIERCINGS, PROUD TO ENGAGE IN FILTHY SEXUAL PERVERSIONS, AND IN THAT PRIDEFUL STATE THEY CANNOT REPENT - YOU CANNOT REPENT OF SOMETHING YOU'RE PROUD OF. PRIDE IS ONE OF THE 7 ABOMINABLE SINS WHICH ARE HATED BY GOD."*4

It is important however to remember that Goth is a style not a religion! Due to all this uncertainty the general public makes general stylizations "They're basically outcasts, Gothic people, they’re into anarchy. They're white supremacists and they're into Nostradamus stuff and Doomsday."*5 which I feel give Goths a form of power, the fact people are afraid of what they don’t know or understand.

I also love the gothic clothing, which is very medieval inspired. I have always been drawn to the medieval era which was set in Ireland, from the clothing and houses to the music; I feel this is due to my Irish heritage. The gothic dress that inspires me has the same medieval feel with the use of corsets and long flowing dresses, very feminine however because of the stronger colours used which include emerald green, ruby red, sapphire blue and obviously black the clothing is given a more powerful, less nature feel.

In the Goth culture I see women as having a more dominant role. They are portrayed as very sexual creatures with the corsets (in medieval times used for undergarments) being worn as clothing producing large high positioned busts that become a focal point with attention being added to the area by jewellery that follows the same contour. A lot of leather is also worn which gives the women a bit of a dominatrix feel.

1. www.goth.net

2. Peter Wake, "Frequently asked questions list for alt.gothic newsgroup," at: http://www.vamp.org/Gothic/Text/gothic-faq.html. An updated version is maintained by tom Fosdick at: http://www.darkwave.org.uk

3. Found on the website: Spiritual paths and ethical systems. The Goth culture: Its history, stereotypes, religious aspects, etc.

4. S. Evans & M. Ardill, "Relax, it's just black," Toronto Star, 1999-APR-25, Page D16 - D17.

5. Rev. R. G. Green, GodHatesGoths.com

6 "Media's incorrect useage of 'Gothic' in Colorado tragedy," at: http://www.darklinks.com