The Gothic Cummnity

Why is it that the gothic community has always held pride of not judging each other but still when it comes down to it, we do! Have we actually lowered ourselves to others' standards where we turn against each other instead of uniteing together? Yet we have divided ourselves into sub-cultures, if you want to them that, and we hold hate for people who are part of certain ones. Goth hates emo, emo hates goth, punk hates goth, and the cycle of hate continues on still. And we over-react when someone calls a goth an emo or vice versa because we are so caught up within the labels. We say that society's judgement makes us sick but actually think about it. Why do we complain of society's labels yet we are persistant on labeling ourselves. And still we do this knowing we are separating our community which used to be united as one. So why don't we destroy these labels that we have created and bring ourselves together once again.

"Why do we complain of society's labels yet we are persistant on labeling ourselves. And still we do this knowing we are separating our community which used to be united as one. So why don't we destroy these labels that we have created and bring ourselves together once again."

^That has to be the best thing that ANYBODY has said in the longest time.

//Ari\\

to your first post Gari, most goths just like the clothes we wear to make themselves stand out and be different and dont except any of our ideas so most goths are happy and stuff while some are sad you can be goth and not dress it, most people just think we are sad people but alot of goths are not sad they are happy because they get to express themselves through their clothing and ides. some people go to far into it and call it the "gothic religion" we do not have a religion and a lot of people think we worship the devil, when we dont. that is called satenism. anymore questions?

You see i think you were the blk clothes cuz you think thats what people expect form "Goth" but really you are just like any one else ...just tryin to fit in the big world..and not be juded.And the thing you said about that "goth" people are not sad they are really happy...most of them are sad or deperessed and i dont really understand why they would be so happy..cuz they get to express them self threw there clothing..everyone does that...and still they can be sad....Gothic is a look not a religion..just like any other style..

Why do people still continue to rely on labels for people?

I continue to hear "Oh, they're a goth" or "The Wrong Crowd." If people need to define each other with one word, one meaning, one definition to cover all of that person's being, then we live in a sad society.

If someone wears black, they're not a goth, nor an emo.

If someone wear's a polo, they're not a prep or a nerd.

If someone wears a jersey, they're not a jock.

People can not be defined by one word. I'm called a prep because I get good grades, an Emo because it's easy to make me cry, a nerd because I'm on the computer.

We have no overall definition.

We have features that some other people share.

No offense to anybody, I'm just constantly looking at people labeling.

We're not food at a market.

We're human beings.

Because goths are pretentious folk who are all about either the most expensive or most artistic style. Just some more specific labels I've noticed about the gothic scene - classic, neo-pagan goths dress in regal clothing and are more thrift store fiends, old souls, homebody-ish; then their are hot!topic punk-ish goths, some drag queens, who may actually be gothic, dark and broody, but prefer the ultra-modern S&M scene-wear, these are where the most pretentious, mean, 'emo' goths usually come from; then there are the kitty goths who are the cute, happy goths who sometimes dress like cats.

Labels are restrictive true, but they are not a bad place to start when identifying people, objectively, not judging them. Then all you have to do is look deeper to get the bigger picture.

"If someone wears black, they're not a goth, nor an emo."
It's not just the 'black' that defines you as 'goth' or 'emo.' It's also what else you're wearing, and the way you carry yourself.
Actually, wearing all black is a good way to say, "I Don't Want To Be Labeled" which is pretty emo, but, no one can really tell that from just your clothes.

"If someone wear's a polo, they're not a prep or a nerd."
But it does tell you that on this particular day, they want to look somewhere close to their best. If they do this everyday, then, well, that makes them a bit fastiduous, which could make them a prep or a nerd. Behavior determines either / or.

"If someone wears a jersey, they're not a jock."
But there's a good chance they are. Or they're fans. Or they're chavs. Again, behavior determines which.

That's basically the point.

But in my school, your clothes categorize you, and it's come to the point where people are wearing things to make them into a category.

Categories and Labels are taking over rather then behavior is what I mean.

At my school, i have a lot of people who do not like me, because im not in a "group" I dress in all black usually, but i still shop at "prepy" places along with hot topic. I am actually a really hipur active and friendly preson, but i am often deeply depressed. I love to go to dances and hang with my friends, who include every one from "preps", "jocks", and "cheerleaders" to the "nerds" and "social outcasts" (which include the "goths","punks","emos" and every one else) I get called every thing from "goth" to "prep" to "nerd" depending on what i am wearing that day. I tottaly agree with the why do "goths" hate lables but still use them, but if "goths" hate labels, then why lable your self "goth"? i mean, I am just me, and you are just you. What we wear makes no difference... or it shouldn't. Just because im wearing all black doesn't mean i am "goth" or just because i get upset easily donesn't mean im "emo" or just because some times i feel like doing my make up and strightening my hair, and listening to Beyonce and hanging at the mall doesn't mean im "prepy". The school across town from us on the first day of school if you were wearing all black or anything considered "punk" or "goth" or "emo" you had to go home and change. The "preps" didn't. Our society is based on "freedom of religion" and "freedom of expression" well its not, If people would just drop the lables and actually get to know one another they would see that were all the same, we just may look at thigns differently. Try it, talk to some one whos not in your "group" get to know them, you may be suprised, they may turn out to be your best friend, or maybe some one you could fall in love with. Just a few thoughts.
Love always,
Bianca

^ i agree with your statements...and ironically enough i am exactly like that i Am often overly depressed, and i know how u feel being left out just because "we" usually wear black. fortunatlly i have friends simi like me, but i stilll feel left out, because 1 of my friends is preppy major-which i dont realy care- , 1 is a god fanatic but not THAT bad about it....she agrees with me...oh...im getting off subject heh, neway ohh and my old school the teachers judge what u are like... and the papers ask u to tell what "label" u are and i think that is messed up...i didnt anwser of course , i suppose i am a mix between "goth" and "punk" like most of my friends , but why do people label themselves just to go and hang out with people in a different "label"? like .....like you have said..."goths" hate "emos" but just end up hanging w/ them anyway??? or is it just a matter of not having anything else to say and think its cool to make potshots about other "groups" when it is a good time for u?
even though i may contradict myself i dont think labels should go on, and they probably will...so whats the point of arguing about this debate if we all know what will come in the end, or are we just so bummed about our lives that we have nothing to do but babble, so we will feel better about ourselves???
all i ask is to think about what labels are doing to our lives.
alwayz,
~~~~~*shinji_ikari*~~~~~

Im sick of the people that say " im goth, im emo, im preppy, im a jock" you are who you are.. i dress in black.... i wear chains.... i listen to heavy metal... the instant i say that you must be like "holy shit she's goth and suicidal" NOT TRUE! i dress is black.. but im the happiest person you would ever meet.. i mean.. i have moments where im like. this is shit, but i love my life, people call me a goth b/c of how i dress... when honestly im really outgoing.. im just sick of all the hating like you said it always seems like goths are against the preppys along with preppys against the goths emos punk, meatal heads, and any 1 that dresses in black, the whole time then just stick their noses up their asses thinking their better than evey one else. but then the goths think that thier at the bottom and people know that unless they talk to them they'll be left the fuck alone... nvm.. im just sick of all the hating.. and all the bullshit.. and all the labels.. it's all stupid!

"people are wearing things to make them into a category."

Da, sieg heil, vein Leiberseinenn.

^^^fake german, sorry^^^

People need people. people need some sense of belonging and organization, and society in their life. it's part of our nature to conform to something.

No one, NO ONE is totally original.

the thing is your right, no one if original anymore... if i could find the clothes i'd start wearing all the shit from the like... 1st century....but people do need people for a ense of beloning so i guess you are rght.. sadly..

Ummm.... Is anyone interested in Vampire....

Lol.. yea but do you realize that if ppl actually STOP IGNOREING THINGS then change will come.. sorry but aint nothin changing that and that what my life is about.. i am tired of hiding my scars i will wear them with pride and i am tired of being uhh.. tired of being labled!! i will embrace it and those who are falling apart about it.. trust me been their and done that put your peices back together again with everything you have and i suggest you follow what i suggest.. it rly rly helped me come out of cutting and depression.. but thats just me.. i am just suggesting.. i am just trying to put this "other option" into ppls heads... do whatever you want with it.. throw it away.. or follow it.. up to you..

Theres truth in that

emo-goth-punk

we all shouldnt judge one another...were all people, and overall people should not judge

Yeah but we will probably keep doing it anyway
but I dont care
anyone can label me what they want
its what I think about myself that matters

xx