Color Me Goth: Acceptance

Being part of a subculture, I know all too well that there are people out there that will not accept you based on who you associate with or how you talk or how you look; way before they get to know you. Being a goth of color just adds to how people perceive you. Most, if not all, Goths can tell you a story of a rude encounter with someone outside of the sub culture who hassled them for being goth. Some younger goths can tell you of their struggle to prove themselves as non poseurs within the community. Being an "ethnic" Goth, I not only faced discrimination from the mainstream but from those of my race as well.

Words by Jasmine

A Goth of color, when you find them, can tell you of countless times they were harassed on popular goth community sites or ignored at a goth club because of their race and the pure shock they felt that those who have the same interest as them and have supposedly open minded views are actually as closed minded as the dumbest internet troll. To read more on experiences like that click here. I personally have not had that issue, mainly because I lurk on such sites and most people of the alternative world I have found pleasant, and they did not assume I was a poseur just because I was a different shade than their own skin. My issue with acceptance lays outside the culture like most Goths.

Other African-Americans did not know how to respond to me. Some were scared of me and avoided me, which was fine cause that was no different than any other person outside of the culture would respond.Others who didn't understand me would write me off as "acting white". This bothered me the most because goth is not exclusively white, it is for anyone who welcomes the dark and spooky as well as the light. I'm not acting white I'm acting Goth; in fact I'm not acting, I am Goth! It is true that the majority of Goths are white but that does not make it white. I am proud of my Gothiness and that I differ from the mainstream just as I am proud of my heritage and race.

I have no wish to "act black" or conform to whatever behavior the world sees appropriate for a young black American woman to have. I don't crave a need for acceptance from the mainstream world, just like many other Goths, I just want a little understanding on their part, I'll even go as far as to say on both our parts.

Jasmine's blog: http://www.colormegoth.com

Tags: Black, Color, Goth, Of

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Comment by XBlack Silkx on January 17, 2013 at 4:46am: I received more crap from black people outside the Gothic subculture vs other races. It's sad really...

Comment by HeartOfAMetalhead on June 2, 2012 at 12:12am: I don't even look for acceptance. I do what I do for me. I'm not goth but a little while ago I was kinda into the emo scene, I still am but I don't call myself emo, if other people do it's still cool. I get called goth sometimes too. Although I accept goth culture and have dabbled in it I don't consider myself goth, I just go where my heart takes me you know? I enjoy it all and it's hard to find other black kids who enjoy what I do. I found a friend who loves metal like me but he wasn't even black and he graduated early. Since I attend an alternative school in my neighborhood area there's really no diversity so I keep to myself a lot. I grew up in the "ghetto" and I didn't turn out like all the kids who live in my neighborhood. If I find kids who like it I keep them around lol. But for the most part I just do my own thing and I love it!!

Comment by Spookycreep on December 29, 2011 at 3:26am: Just now seeing your blog.

"acting white." they killed me with that shit when I was in high school. Clowns use to tell me I'm "suppose to be black". I would tell them the only thing I'm "suppose" to be is free. Of course, not being free themselves they didn't have a clue and continued to think it was some how about race. None so blind as the STUPID.

Comment by THA ORIGINAL GATA™ on September 19, 2011 at 9:50pm: very well said!

Comment by taryn m on September 14, 2011 at 10:53am: i gave up tryin to find acceptance a long time ago...nice locks :)

Comment by Lady Paradox on September 14, 2011 at 7:04am: @Nelly black told you you were acting white? As in the clothes & make up or the people? I'm a bit confused...

Comment by Nelly on September 13, 2011 at 9:15pm: When I dressed goth back in middle and high school, black told me I was acting white and I never understood that. All my white friends, however, totally accepted me.

Comment by Taraielle on September 13, 2011 at 5:10pm: Well said! Any naysayers and I just think, "well, they mad cause they can't hang"... lol

Comment by Lady Paradox on September 13, 2011 at 1:26pm: You're right. It is hard being goth especially when you are an ethnic goth but we are who we are. Life has trials for everyone, these are yours. As long as you're comfortable in your skin, nothing else matters:-) Besides we goths RULE!!

Comment by Darkness Unlimited* on September 13, 2011 at 7:02am: Not much i can add to this, that i hadn't already gone over countless times before. Only to say cheers to you for writing this and getting what's on your mind out there.