What's society's beef with goths?

[Nei3rd]

Seriously, I don't get it. Although I'm semi-goth (i'm goth at heart) but everytime i see em on TV like on those talk shows, they're parent's make em out to be anti-social cretins. So the chick don't wanna talk to your over-emotional ass, so what? I wouldn't. The thing that kills me is that most people think that if your goth then your some sorta devil-worshipping, greasy, gloomy freak anarchist that hates people. I mean Jesus tap dancing Christ! WTFOMGBBQ!? I know i really shouldn't be sayin anything because I'm not totally goth but tan and stupid, but hey. I love em. They may look unfriendly, but most of em keep it more real than Whitey McCracker who tries to be all hard and the next Eminem. No. I'd rather hang with the guy that looks like Rob Zombie than the fake ass moron that thinks he's down with the Crips...or Bloods...or the East Street Flip Flop Time-pants crew.

So I'd like to know (and end this damn rant) with a question. Why does society think of goths as anti-social drecks and should be remodeled as happy, preppy goody-good-goods? Personally, too much light colors hurt the eyes.

[simply jose]

i believe society in itself (judgemental as ever) tend to portray goth's as "evil" so to speak becuz society has proven thru out the ages that they are scared of wut is different. Society in itself tends to associate the color black with evil and depression so they tend to judge people by these standards. Just like puerto ricans are all misjudged to listen to reggeaton and play baseball, or how everybody thinks all latin ppl play soccer, or the way most ppl are scared of the black man walking behind em at night. Unfortunately we live in a world full of stereotypes and there is no easy way to rid ourselves from the ignorance that is created by them. I can see why u would be upset cuz it is somethin most of us go thru. I myself aint a goth either but I certainly get stereotyped on a daily basis. Ppl believe that because I am 5'3 in height; I am a kid, they believe that because I go out and party; I am an alcoholic, and the one that gets to me the most is that because I am puertorrican; I must be a delinquent or some sort of hoodlum. The only thing as a part of society we can do to change this is to be more accepting of our peers regardless of the differences we might share. It is my believe that one person can make a difference but imagine if we unted to reach the masses; we could maybe all share a future in which stereotypes are not as strong or empowered as to be harmful.

[RivaOni]

The problem is, that there are "goths" and then there are "wannabe goths", Goths are fine, decent people, and nothing like the stereotype, but theres more wannabe goths (at least in Britain anyhow) than their are true goths who buy into all the stereotypes, acting depressed all the time, mumbling rather than speaking all that stuff.

I always found the goth scene to be about originality, most of the goths I was friends with would put some sort of effort into their appearance to try and be original, but theres more and more wannabe goths who just buy off the rack and wear clothes as they find them, love the things they're other wannabe friends love and all share the same hairstyle among other things, and its these that give normal goths a bad name.

[Sciler]

Most goth's I've known have all been nice people. But as such with most "stereotypes" a few bad eggs can ruin it for many. People will always be judgemental...90% of today's society isn't happy unless they are complaining about something. They can't just be happy with what they are blessed to have, or thankful that they have good kids or whatever....they just focus ont he negatives and then pound it into the ground. /sigh

[ScrumYummy]

I've noticed that people have a tendency (in general) to listen to what somebody else is saying and not ever question it or find out for themselves. So when society tells a person that a goth is a greasy, devil-worshipping freak, they don't question it or find out for themselves, for the most part.

The goths I have known have been pretty nice people (some with personal problems, but nice people none the less).

[SirGunslinger]

It is similar to the perceptions of other avant garde groups throughout history; like beatnicks, hippies, punk, etc. Society at large tends to paint groups or people outside of mainstream as negative or dangerous mainly out of a combination of ignorance and lazyness.

[Kudasai Hiroki]

Goths are such an easy target because they stand out so much.

Mainly goths are percieved as people who dress in black, wear makeup reguardless of gender, are generally sad or morose, and follow occult religions. Also goths in American history have been viewed as small, thin, whiney kids with emotional problems who'd fall down on the floor in the fetal position and cry before putting up a fight. This also lends to their being and easy target.

I know for a fact that this is not true for all goths because many of my friends were goths, however I am sad to say that many of those friends did fit the afore mentioned description.

Stereotypes exist for a reason. Is it right? No.

Why do people pick on goths more than other groups? Well, bullies, like other predators, tend to pick out what is percieved as being the weakest of the herd. They're not going to beat up the hippies 'cause that's where they get all their weed. Punks fight back. Goths are seen as weak. Therefore they are the prefered prey of socioty at the moment, at least untill a weaker group presents it's self.

[Graillik Tur]

I think it's funny that everyone has an opinion about the "groups" of everyone else. I'm white and from the south so I'm a gun toting shit kicker with bad teeth and poor education. To make matters worse I'm in the military which makes me a loon that will bunker himself in a compound and kill babies. I'm also a Christian which makes me a religious fanatic that hates gays, women's rights, abortion, and other "progressive" ideas. It's all bullshit. It is the idea that anything that is not like you, is in some way, harmful to you. Because you don't understand it, you fear it, and want it to change you make you feel more comfortable. I could care less about Goths. They tend to keep to themselves and just do what they do. Not radically political or trying to shine in the media spotlight. Let em sit in the dark and play depressing music by Him. I could care less. But the first time they bring the stereotypes when I wear the belt buckle, boots, and hat....it all goes out the window. So here's to tribalism. The way it should be.

And if ya don't like a group, stay away from them, or give them the wide breadth you need to not have a bad day. And all will be fine.

[Terin]

I transcend all stereotypes. I'm waiting for the world to catch up.
-T

[Kudasai Hiroki]