Tag Archives: Goth subculture
Culture Wars
0You may have heard of the culture wars. You might have heard that it’s political, between the two major American political parties. I disagree. There is a culture war going on, yes, but it ain’t in politics–it’s in corporations. If you feel that you have to be anyone other than yourself, then the Man is keeping you down. You shouldn’t have to be more articulate, more hardworking, afraid to express anger, willing to trust the system, or perfect to survive, to pay your bills, or to afford rent. People who make it in Corporate America are not cultured, just the opposite–they are without culture. Lets just take a look at the United States of America. You’ll find culture in the tourist spots and the poorest cities–Albuquerque, Baltimore, New Orleans–because Corporate America does not reward culture or history. Corporate America rewards the DC area because the shiny, happy judgers of others all have smooth edges and surround themselves with suburbs and newness. They are the Stepford Wives of America, and as with the movie, they could all easily be replaced with robots and androids. Corporate America drains the color out of everything and everyone until all that’s left is white collars. We need to put lipstick on those collars, add color back to the workplace, and have an affair with real living. We need to admit that we cannot rely only on the innovators–those only concerned with the newness in the technology sector–to carry the weight of a nation. We need to admit that we need all people. Many Goths and like people have heard people say of them that “it takes all kinds,” and in a way that’s true. It does take all kinds of people to make the world go round. We should not put all of our eggs in one basket; we should diversify. What is America if not diverse? We need to celebrate that diversity–and I don’t just mean diversity of race, but diversity of skillsets, diversity of insight, and diversity of personality. Above all, we need to celebrate culture, whether “subculture” or not. If we don’t, then we may lose any remnants of the past and of ourselves.
From Cloud to Star
4
You might be curious about Lavoce’s logo. Here is an abbreviated and partial explanation, from cloud to star. Let’s take a walk down logic lane.
Since every definition of Goths I have found is different based on the person explaining it, I have always found that the fast and easy definition of a Goth is usually someone who wears black. What is wrong with black?
If you have a dandruff problem, it shows. It displays poor grooming. It’s a seasonal color and is best for the winter. When it’s summertime, black attracts heat and the sun’s rays. However, no amount of parasols are going to keep that sun from giving you a tan, no matter how much you use skin whitener. Black has no gradations and only works well with certain skin tones, making some people look pallid and sickly (the negative attitude increases the languid and lethargic look). Black is slimming, which is fine for those who want to look slimmer, but can make an already skinny person look emaciated. Black is sometimes scary as it is representative of the night and makes mothers want to take their child and run away as fast as possible. Is it any wonder why Goths did not receive the respect they so wanted back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s?
The proposed solution is gray. Dandruff would not be as apparent, so the wearers of gray would seem better groomed. It’s appropriate for any season. It’s appropriate in the workplace (black is appropriate still, but not all black). It goes with every skin tone as it can be as dark or as light as you want it to be. It enhances the feeling of individuality because there are many shades of gray. It is an approachable color, and will make people more conversational.
The new Goth of the millennium is brighter, sharper, more approachable, more open-minded, healthier, and more of an individual. The new Goth knows how to make a good first impression and is a champion for others. The new Goth dispels myths on behalf of the old Goth.
The new Goth is in control of his destiny; he is not being controlled by the winds or the external environment.
The new Goth makes an activist choice; he does not follow the trend. Therefore, no one can say that he is going through a phase. If there is any trend he follows, it is a positive trend, the trend of being positive, not negative, not mopey, not depressed.
The new Goth does not have a cloud over his head. He is a star, illuminating light wherever he goes.
The new Goth is a winner, a champion, a hero, a star.
The new Goth wears gray.
Related articles
- Gallery: Vice Editorial Answers The Question, ‘What Do Goths Wear To The Gym?’ (thegloss.com)
- Closet Goth (manbehindthecurtain.ie)
- Who Wore It Better? Goth Givenchy (fabsugar.com)
- The Goth Bible (raehachton.wordpress.com)
- Austra: Electro-Goths Secretly Turning Opera Into Music for the Masses (spinner.com)
- World Goth Day (astralboutique.typepad.com)