A new post at Gothic Charm School!

[cupcake_goth]

The long-awaited Goths of color post!

A huge, HUGE thank you goes to all the readers who sent in advice and suggestions, the Finishing School of Flail, staxxy, and sowilo for all their help. HUGE thank yous.

Comments

[bittergourd.livejournal.com]

Hey Jilli, the afropunk link in the article doesn't go to the afropunk site. It goes stays in the same page.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Argh! thank you for letting me know!

[poh.livejournal.com]

Nice article! Interesting in regards to the racist comments to African American goths. I would say that "I didn't know there were black goths!" definitely stems from ignorance, particularly as it signifies to me a complete lack of knowledge of the African diaspora's contributions to...well...anything, especially music, and the eccentrics to be found throughout. The oh-so-gothic sound of Bela Lugosi's Dead is just dub. Then there's funk (hello Shriekback anyone?), disco/electro/techno/house/dn'b.

[blasphemina.livejournal.com]

Not to mention that it leads one to believe only white people can be part of a subculture. "I didn't know there were black goths/punks/skaters/rockers/etc" has been something "ve heard my whole life.

[poh.livejournal.com]

INOERITE?!?! That people need to be told that people have their own interests and would persue and develop them astounds me.

I wonder how much Latinos or Asians get this.

[jayorin.livejournal.com]

*shakes head* more than I would like...

[poh.livejournal.com]

Is that regional? I haven't hit that commentary, or I'm just lucky.

[jayorin.livejournal.com]

Mostly, it happens if you are a darker shade of Latino (think more coffee colored).

Asians get it a lot less, but still get it. (And the "awe how cute" twee nonsense)

I should point out that to me, ANY idiocy like that is too much .

http://community.livejournal.com/shadesofstrange/profile

[poh.livejournal.com]

I should point out that to me, ANY idiocy like that is too much.

Indeed. For me, being of mixed heritage, my frustration point comes where I'm cast as "just" Japanese. Uh, no, I'm actually proud of the Scots-Irish heritage on my dad's side.

Mostly, it happens if you are a darker shade of Latino (think more coffee colored).

I can see that happening. :| Ironic, since I've had people who've been to goth clubs in San Antonio tell me that it's heavily Latino. Also, in my own view, extra ironic since I see ? and Mysterians' "96 Tears" as one of the best proto-goth/punk/garage songs and one of the best songs ever. Period.

[blasphemina.livejournal.com]

What a great link! I look forward to finishing it when I get home XD

I think darker latinos and non-mixed blacks get it the worst. I wasn't so bad once I got out of school and met other people like me, but I also realized it seemed more acceptable for me because I'm half white and look "different" than my cousin who is all black. She and I are the same age and like most of the same things.

The thing is, growing us, my brother and I were two of about 7 black kids in an all white town and we got the business. But eventually, we were teased for being not jocks and I realized I'd rather be made fun of for something I could help, than something I couldn't so I let it all out. I think from 13 on I was an alterna-kid in some way or another. Now I'm a clothing designer, into all the things I always was and doing great. They are all back in my home town with kids and unhappy marriages. I think my spookiness wins XD

But I've met many other black alterna-kids in my life who said pretty much the same thing. "Why can't I get a piercing/tattoo/weird outfit/dyed red hair? I'd rather feel comfortable in my own skin than fit into the "norm" of my race. I'd rather like who I am than fake it and have them make fun of my skin color instead." It's all silliness. It just makes me feel like a lot of white people (I'm half white, BTW so obviously not all) feel that black kids and kids of other races are either not rebellious in the same way or because of "cultural differences" (please say that in an old man voice) wouldn't want to be into any of the things goths/punks/scene kids/etc are into.

[javagoth.livejournal.com]

I really hope not - that would be depressing and boring and just plain sad...

[arielmeadow.livejournal.com]

This whole "are subcultures only for caucs?" issue is definitely one that's come up on offbeat bride too -- the common theory seems to be that people who already feel marginalized by their ethnic/cultural background don't want to further marginalize themselves. It makes sense, but makes me sad... Related discussion here: http://bit.ly/cvk6F

[blasphemina.livejournal.com]

Yay! What a good post!

[fenrirhyde.livejournal.com]

A lovely update.I've been waiting on it for a short while and I am sure that It will help me deal with a label-happy friend of mine at school. Thankies very much Lady of the Manners :3

[sowilo.livejournal.com]

Spot on! Well done!

[sinicallytwsted.livejournal.com]

Awesome!

[amethyst-clan.livejournal.com]

Great article! I think that you addressed the issue very well and gave a lot of great advice. :)

[javagoth.livejournal.com]

Yay! Good article and I'm glad you got so much good advice from Goths of color!!

I went and had a look at the links you sent and really enjoyed the article at the Morbid Outlook site. I was sad to see the following in the comments at the Goths of Color site:

I wrote to the morbid outlook webmaster to ask what have happened to Lucy Furr, who I think is the person behind the goths of color website and her reply was,

"As far as I’ve heard, she’s no longer in the goth scene and got rid of the site."


=====
Laura the Mistress McCutchan
Managing Editor
+ Morbid Outlook Magazine +
http://www.morbidoutlook.com

I don't know if its true but if anyone finds the site on a cache please post the location in AP.

Boo!

[systris.livejournal.com]

Great article. Thanks.

[jayorin.livejournal.com]

Awesome, absolutely

I told you you would be awesome!

[reileen.livejournal.com]

Yay! Awesome post, worth the wait. :)

[quasievil-bunny.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that! As a person of Southern Chinese decent, I don't even look remotely like those little delicate Lolly Goths. I'm often mistaken for Polynesian.

Thanks for reminding people that Goth comes in all shades!

[butterflywillow.livejournal.com]

I thought you might enjoy this:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16685020

[a-papier-mache.livejournal.com]

Excellent post, my dear. As always.