How TikTok RUINED the Goth Subculture 🚫
How TikTok ruined the goth subculture🚫:
Lack of diversity:
the idea of goth has became a blob of people looking exactly the same and wearing the exact same outfits.
the entire point of being goth is to set yourself apart and be different and now it feels like nobody wants to try new things and be unique.
goths that do actually try their best to stand out never get the amount of recognition as the new oversaturated goth stereotype. apart from that it’s a common stereotype for goths to be white/pale which isn’t the case when most goths in the 80s never wore white face paint and just did dramatic makeup.
this negative stereotype has caused a lot of goth poc to feel excluded or like they don’t fit in because there’s a lack of push towards goth poc the same way that white/whitepassing poc are pushed online.
which has also lead a lot of goth poc to receive a lot of hateful comments telling them that they will never be goth because goth is white. we as a community can help break this negative stereotype and help push more goth poc in the scene!!
as well as recognize the influences that poc have made on the subculture itself as goth music is directly influenced by black music such as “bela lugusi is dead” by bauhaus as they themselves have stated that Jamaican dub & reggae inspired the song which has sense become a staple in goth music to this day. as well as black musicians like screaming jay hawkins pushing the boundaries and pioneering shock rock🦇.
Lack of morals:
it seems a lot of people have forgotten that goth is a political subculture and that it is a derivative of punk.
meaning that you cannot be goth and also have bigoted political beliefs.
people often forget that and think that listening to goth music = goth when there’s so much more to it. you cannot enjoy goth music and still not be goth if you don’t do anything to actually partake in the subculture like supporting local & smaller artists as-well as helping to draw attention to serious political issues that effect us all.
anti-racism/homophobia/transphobia/establishment/consumerism/capitalism etc are all big parts of the subculture that are often overlooked.
plenty of “goth” creators will collaborate with fast fashion brands and others will publicly post against fast fashion and mock them instead of promoting sustainable alternatives to people who aren’t educated on ethical consumption. instead people should be pushing and promoting different ways for people to shop sustainably and ethically and promote secondhand, thrifting and diy products to people as a way to reduce consumption like depop/mercari/vinted/etsy etc
I've been immersed in the alternative scene for years, watching how things evolve. It's truly fascinating to see new generations discover subcultures like goth, emo, and scene, often through platforms like TikTok. But as my friend in the main article pointed out, this rapid exposure comes with its own set of challenges, especially for the nuanced and historically rich goth subculture. One of the biggest shifts I've noticed is the rise of what we call 'performative goth.' It's when someone adopts the aesthetic – the dark makeup, the black and red outfits, sometimes even specific music – without understanding the depth, history, or philosophy behind it. For many of us, goth isn't just a look; it's a way of seeing the world, a political stance rooted in punk's anti-establishment ethos, and a celebration of the melancholic and artistic. When I first got into the scene, it was about discovery, about finding a community that embraced individuality and critical thought. Now, with TikTok's trend-driven nature, it often feels like a checklist of viral aesthetics. It's easy for new people to confuse a fleeting trend with the enduring spirit of a subculture. This superficiality often overlooks the immense diversity within goth itself. People often ask about different 'goth sub genres,' and there are so many! From traditional goth and deathrock to romantic goth, cyber goth, and even softer pastel goth, each has its unique flair, but they all share a common thread of embracing the darker side of human experience, often with an intellectual or artistic bent. The problem arises when TikTok's algorithm pushes a very narrow, often commercialized version of 'goth' or 'alt girl' aesthetics, sometimes even featuring things like 'tiktok girls school tights' trends, which might look cool but lack any connection to the subculture's origins. This can accidentally exclude people who don't fit that narrow mold, particularly goth POC who have always been an integral part of the scene, shaping its music and fashion. So, how can we navigate this without gatekeeping? I believe it's about education and conscious engagement. If you're drawn to the goth aesthetic, fantastic! Embrace it. But also, take the time to delve deeper. Explore the music — not just the popular tracks, but the pioneers like Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Bauhaus, and Sisters of Mercy. Read about the history, understand the political underpinnings, and explore the vast world of goth literature and art. Look for creators who genuinely embody the subculture's values rather than just its outward appearance. Supporting local bands, independent artists, and ethical businesses (like those promoting secondhand fashion or DIY projects, as mentioned in the article) is another crucial way to engage authentically. It's about participating in the community, nurturing its roots, and ensuring it remains a space for genuine expression and critical thought, not just another fleeting online trend. Let's champion the rich tapestry of goth, ensuring its future is as diverse and meaningful as its past.
