Got Goth?

The media insists on bonbarding everyone with flicks showing people dressed in dark garments and bearing an agressive attitude. Picture perfect pale bodies, adorned with tatoos and piercings and hair in unnatural colors, are depicted in magazines and tv shows as the "goth people" look. The so called "white trash" could even comply to some of the generalizations of the term "goth". Youngsters attack Hot Topic and dress within the codes of music sirens such as Cristina Aguilera or Avril Lavigne or Evanescence... and call themselves "outcasts" and "rebels"... Some even bear the names of Siouxie and the Banshees and the Cure on their favorite t-shirts, but do they REALLY know the groups or the group's background/history? Trend followers just enjoy the eye candy of the darker side, but utilizing the term "goth" in people that demonstrate a desperation to belong somewhere is plain wrong. Goth is more than a branding. It is a philosophy of living, it is an outlook of life, it is a way of thinking and acting and behaving... Clothing and eye candy does NOT make someone "goth".

What is Goth?

Do you see beauty in darkness? Do you find moody pictures and rainy days a work of art? Do you find yourself wandering cemeteries just to enjoy the architecture and the decorative details of our ancestor's final resting place? Do you enjoy poetry that expresses the pain, the sorrow, the hardship, the ultimate way of loving in the midst of suffering? Do you enjoy stories that do not have happy endings? Do you see life from a... different point of view? Do you feel misunderstood? Are you alone? Do you belong to another era? Do you dream of chivalry, of justing, of charioteering, of hunting? Do you wish you could attend a waltz next Saturday night? Do you feel atuned with Egytian mythos or beliefs? Can you understand the psychology of inmortality? Do you believe in ghosts, vampires, things that bump in the night? Are you not scared by what society calls abominations? Are you comfortable with the unknown. searching answers without fear? Do you dress in dark clothing because it makes you feel welcomed? Are you decadent? Do you thrive on the finest pleasures in life? Are you creative, ambitious, smart, quick-witted? Do you often think of other people as "humans"? Are you well versed in literary works and poetry? Do you enjoy knowledge? Do you feel a high sense of self-awareness?

These questions are but a small fragment of the questions that leads towards the definition of what is goth. Most people view goths as the misfits of society who band together in the only way they can relate: through an anarchist attitude that shows through words and physical means. This is a great mistake. As a matter of fact, true goths are not as shocking in appearance and blend with common "humans" on a day to day basis... at least in the surface. There are many degrees of gothic affinity, but almost all lead to the same source: A primal need to find self-awareness through the constant exploration and wonder of the individual, its potential, and its interaction and consequence on humanity. Goths are highly intelligent beings that thrive on knowledge, information, getting the truth, being unafraid of anything that stands on their paths. They dare to ask and go where humans dare not ask or go. Goths are not afraid of the dark. They see the dark as an ally, as a mysterious companion whose cold uncertainty can bring dozens of bridges towards accomplishments and wonder. They seek out the monsters that humans dare not find, they find beauty in the grotesque, in the withered, in the old... Goths are more in touch with the spirit than with the flesh, they can look beyond appearances and surface mirages. And they can be brutally honest, sincerely crude... They value their code of existence as something precious, a code built in truth, honor, faith and valor. If you ever know the love of a goth, be certain it will be true love until death... or beyond... Goths are self to its more pure definition, yet they give themselves to the ones they love with the same amount of selflessness. Living contradictions come easily to the creatures of the night.

Why is black the preferred color used by most goths? It gives an uncommon comfort. Many humans view black as a color of sadness and depression. Goths see it differently. Black is the mix of all colors. Black is what you get when the brightests meet and dance together. Black is the background color for the Universe. It is black the color that shades the oceans's dephts. Black is the color of the pupils of the eyes, the reflections of our souls. Black is the shroud that shelters us during long storms and cold winter nights. Black brings light to its most beautiful expression. It is black we see as we fall asleep, as we prepare ourselves for our journey into dreaming. There are many good connotations to black, but humans tend to associate it with mourning, pain...Goths could adopt the meaning of mourning if they accept a black code of dressing as a cry against today's society... so they mourn society's evils. The reasons could go on... Black has a mistery of its own that purely reflects the Goth's outlook in life. And it has nothing to do with evil, although much to do with wickedness.

Being Goth in a very conservative society

It takes plenty of courage and a high self esteem to be able to be a true Goth in our society. Some places are tolerant, but most places do not understand the psyche of being Goth and not understanding leads to fear. People with one-track minds are the worst enemies, since they can inflict their fear into others and spread a venomous view of what Goths are. Appearances mean nothing. Just because someone is heavily tatooed and/or heavily pierced doesnt mean that he/she is a drug addict or a thug. It is ironic that some of the sweetest persons that I know look so mean, but they are not. You cannot judge a person by looks, but by actions. And even then, you should take care that whenever you make judgements you have the complete view of a given situation.

Within a very conservative society things can be really difficult. I live in such a place. Commoners are scared of the "people who dress in black and with chains". I've had some close encounters of this kind myself... When I started working in my current employment, all my wardrobe was black. I wore black liner and black nails, not any other makeup... I never really thought much of it, the piecesof clothing were really different so anyone could tell that I didnt dress the same everyday... And I followed the company's general code of dressing... By the second week I was asked who died in my family and I was given honest condolescences. Explaining that I simply liked to dress in black somehow was not so convincing. When I changed my hair from blue-black to unnatural burgundy-red the comments changed from me being strange to me being satanic... just for my hair and all-black garments... Over the years people has come to accept my ways, or at least comply to it. The few people that dare to look within the "satanic" surface have claimed that I am very spiritual, and that I have a beautiful soul. It is sad that society puts brands and judges without knowing the truth. I am Roman-Catholic, as a matter of fact, and I love to help everyone who touches my life one way or the other... I excel when I do my job, and I love studying... Just two years ago I got my MBA, and will aim for the PhD in a couple of years... I am very creative and motivated, I have so much to do and so little time to do things! I'm an extroverted overachiever... who has burgundy-bright-red hair and a knack for all-black garments. Well, on the positive side, people always remember me! And that is something I really like.

Catholic Goths

Being Roman-Catholic I have to say that the most unforgiving, narrow minded people are mostly the ones within any religion. Again, they preach to love one another but in the moment of truth they judge because of... appearances. I've been called a rebel by some, a lost sheep by others... Lost? I have read the Bible, I talk with God every night, or whenever I feel like talking with Him during the day... I help whoever needs my help. I believe there is good even in the most wicked of people, because there is always hope when you give love. I believe love can change and achieve anything. I don't believe God will judge me based on my hair, lips and clothing. He will judge me on my actions and thoughts. Sometimes people can be so shallow and vain...

Gothic Life and Ambience

Within Puerto Rico the Goth subculture is very limited. We have to face a conservative society that has such standards for goths but that is not so conservative when it comes to Reggaeton, Salsa & Merengue lyrics. You can say the market is all about sexual connotations. Not to say that the gothic world doesn't have such (quite the oppossite since it is about expression), but lightly clad gals in bikinis are more appealing than green-haired black leather clad gals. Thats how this culture works... Also, Goth is heavily associated with the Gay world. Although I have nothing against gay people, thinking that Goths are mostly gays is plainly not right. Hey, there are many bi's! And, there are many straight people as well. Again, Goth is about self expression, enjoying life from a very different perspective... It is not about being Gay or Straight.

In the capital of Puerto Rico there is a pub that allows Thrusdays and Saturdays as Gothic nights. They name the events as Communion and Resurrection. But that's about it. There used to be a club named Vampire The Night Club but it was closed due to the owners... sexual aberrations? LOL Clubs and pubs around the island play the music that human portorricans like: Reggaeton, Merengue, Salsa, Bachata... A few play music from the 80's. And that's about it for nightlife.

My favorite Gothic places within Puerto Rico

As I already said, there is only one pub that I know that plays Gothic music regularly. Besides that, I can only point out places that I like because of the feeling they give me, because of the architecture and art, because of the freedom they grant.

• Ponce: MAP- Museo de Arte de Ponce, Castillo Serrallés
• Cabo Rojo: The old lighthouse
• Hormigueros: Iglesia de la Virgen de la Monserrate
• San Germán: Porta Coeli, Círculo de Recreo
• Mayaguez: RUM (yup, you read right, Colegio de Mayaguez)
• Camuy: Caverns of Camuy
• San Juan: El Morro

Goth Apparel

There are many styles of clothing, a miriad to feed anyone's ego and anyone's needs. From simple long-sleeved shirt and trousers to leather ball gown, the gothic apparel has variety and spice. Keep in mind one thing: Being Goth is not about the clothing but about a state of mind, a phylosophy of life... With that being said, I list here the most common goth "types":

• Romantigoth: Often dons cloaks and ruffled shirts, wide ruffled "gypsy" skirts, soft cloths with transparency.Pirate shirts, elegant garments reminiscent of old times...
• Cybergoth: Metal, leather, plastic, vynil... anything synthetic mixing edgyness and flair
• Vampiregoth: Dons cloaks and coats, favors silk and velvet. Decadent, lavish styles.
• Corporategoth: The classic "dressed for success" who dons commanding outfits within the corporate boundaries.

 

My favorite Gothic clothing stores

• Hot Topic for trendy clothing (although you must be choosy so you dont fall with the masses)
• Ebay (to get plenty of great deals on all the dark goodies we all love)
• Old Navy (yes, they have neutral... er... black trousers and skirts and jackets... some times even the perfect little black dress)
• Kress (great to complement the basics plus to achieve the "faerie" look

Gothic Literature

Here is a small group of "must read" literature pieces that you should feed on, even if you are not Goth.

The Holy Bible

Anne Rice's Witches and Vampires: Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, Tale of the Body Thief, Vampire Armand, Blood and Gold, Blood Canticle, Witching Hour (I personally think this is her masterpiece), Lasher, Taltos, Merrick

Horror classics: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein & Bram Stoker's Dracula

Edgar Allan Poe works: The Raven, Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum

Canterbury Tales and other medieval works, Arthurian Legends, Dante's Divine Comedy

In Spanish language: Don Quijote, Rimas y Leyendas

Stephen King's Horror Masterpieces: Carrie, Salem's Lot, Pet Semetery, It (among others, these are my favorites)

Based on the Ravenloft roleplaying demiplane of dread, there is a group of fantasy novels under the Ravenloft title that provide a good horror/suspense read... The best are: Dance of the Dead, I Strahd, Enemy Within, Knight of the Black Rose

Goth Music

Goth music allows mixing and matching of primal sounds, electronica, enchanting voices, screams, and eerieness. It can fall within the Alternative music cathegory, but its dark approach to life makes it stand soundly within its own. Most lyrics are social critics that edge on the raw and on your face words. Some are beautiful dark melodies that talk about love, death and eternity. There are plenty of different styles, some with heavyly loaded raspy gutural voices, others with subtle violins and guitars. Exploration, experimentation... innovation... A social phenomena.

My favorite music...

• Goth vault: Disturbed, Siouxie and the Banshees, The Cure, Dead can Dance, Type O Negative, Sisters of Mercy, Sting
• From the alternative reals there are a few groups worthy of mention: Bjork, No Doubt, Aqua, Nirvana, RHCP
• From the pop area, you gotta love Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Bangles, Ace of Base
• From the rock stream: Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, Helloween, Meatloaf, Guns'nRoses, Aerosmith, MotleyCrue, BonJovi, Asia
• Soundtracks: Conan the Barbarian, Braveheart, Gladiator, Elizabeth, Maulin Rouge, Excalibur, Mission Impossible, 5th Element, Star Wars original trilogy, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Chicago, Sound of Music
• Others: Handel, Strauss, medieval chants

Gothic Links

Here I list some of the links that I find useful in matters of gothic-related subjects... such as apparel, decoration, movies and curiosities. Enjoy!