Talk About Goth Editorial.

Oct 26, 2014

Bess C.

I don't know how many of you read the article about the struggle of being goth around Halloween, but it struck a kind of odd chord with me.

While I absolutely believe that NO ONE should be mocked as a costume, I think it's strange that the article focused on the goth community and no other groups who are routinely exploited at this time of year.

Usually, Native Americans top that list, along with other POC and racial minorities. I would've liked to see an article that discussed the impropriety of wearing a Sioux war bonnet or blackface as much as how people exploit goth fashion at Halloween.

Oct 26, 2014

Tessandra R.

Thank you! I'm Native American (Sioux Tribe) and it's aggravating to see all of the ridiculous "Indian" costumes. I hate how cartoony people have made so many groups out to be.

Oct 26, 2014

Hannah K.

I believe that the reason the article was so focused on gothic culture has purely to do with the fact that halloween is often seen as a creepy, scary, excessively dark holiday. I am sure that it was not meant to suggest that the gothic culture is the only one that faces offensive commentary around this time of year. I think it simply focused on goths because of the original nature of the holiday of Halloween. I do understand that other groups are exploited, but Halloween, historically, was a day to communicate with the dead, a day when goth cults supposedly "sacrificed things to Satan" (though there has never been a proven case of cult sacrifices in the USA), and generally more influenced by gothic culture than any other.

I would also agree that many groups are exploited, over exaggerated and generally discriminated against, in terms of costumes, I really do not think that this was the intention of the article, and I sincerely hope that my explanation has helped you not to see it as such.

Oct 26, 2014

Bess C.

Oh, I never meant to condemn the article, but because we can't comment on articles themselves, I figured it did need some degree of discussion.

Oct 26, 2014

W J.

Bess, I just read the article and I don't understand why you think the piece is unfairly emphasizing on the goth community. The article was written to explain some aspects of the goth community that some readers might not understand. The article talked about why they dress the way they do and how it makes them feel. There's absolutely nothing inappropriate or questionable about the article. It's an article about goths, why would it talk about other groups of people? Would an article about buying used cars talk about the benefits of using public transit?

Oct 27, 2014

Whyte W.

I see it both ways I suppose. As a goth, it's easy to feel like my personal expression is being appropriated so I'm glad they made an article addressing that by itself. But I do see what you mean about how they haven't addressed issues that are far worse at all.
They really should write another because I get so tired of seeing other cultures being caricatured and treated like an accessory.