Lady Raven Shadowwinds

"Those who insist on using the term gothic interchangeably with the term Goth can end up with a confused understanding of my aesthetic and lifestyle. The term Goth refers to a counter cultural movement which is rather new, historically speaking. Images of brooding young people who listen to depressing, loud, antisocial music while clad in black and sporting unusual hair and multiple piercings will come to mind for many of you. And of course this stereotype is preoccupied with death, anarchy, the occult, drugs, alcohol and self destruction. Unfortunately many young people have to endure the prejudice against such stereotypes, which are just that and not much more.

What is a Goth?

The term Goth applies to a movement which began in the 1970s. It was a small offshoot which bloomed out of the punk counter culture. One concept which was widespread among the punk culture was the coldness, disinterest and inadequate nature of modern society, especially toward those who did not fit the mould. The punk answer to that motif was an angry, screaming, in-your-face rebellion which society could not ignore. Then some of them began to shift their perspective a bit. Life, society and even love might seem hopeless and dispassionate, but instead of rage and rebellion this group chose to retreat from notice and experience their futility in a more introspective and isolated manner. The shift went from "I am an anarchist" (Sex Pistols) to "Ignore the Machine"(Alien Sex Fiend). Their favourite artists sing angst filled, haunting lyrics which are literarily speaking gothic. DJs, Music Critics and the press ran with the description and it became a label. Predictably the youth culture shortened it to make it a distinctive label - Goth.

While the movement came into view and spread its message through its music, music and the accompanying fashion trends do not explain the culture completely. It is much more than that. It has absorbed values from many world and spiritual cultures, beliefs and personalities and unless you can find a particularly articulate Goth, it can be hard for even the adherents to describe true "gothdom". I think probably the best treatment of that topic is available from web mistress Corvina on her website HERE .

What is Gothic?

The term gothic is much more easily defined, though it is still very broad. It is (1) a Germanic tribe which invaded Europe just before the dark ages, their language, culture, history and anything else which pertains to them (2) the pre-medieval and medieval periods of history and the cultural elements of those times (3) Any artistic or cultural genre with a dark, sad, sinister, gloomy, mysterious or occult theme (4) Any use, preference or revival or imitation of the cultural elements of the Goths, the gothic period or gothic themed genre. Again, Corvina has a large amount of cultural and historical resources for further study on this topic as well, HERE.

Conclusions

It is obvious, or should be, that the Goth culture pulls from the above definition of gothic in many ways. If it hadn't the name never would have existed in the first place, and Goths are by definition gothic. However, as the terms have evolved, it should also be apparent that not all gothic leaning individuals are Goths. Quite simply, they do not participate in the Goth sub culture for one reason or another. Maybe they are unaware of it, maybe they do not agree with it, maybe they believe themselves too old or maybe they do not feel they fit for some other reason. One could be a medievalist or a renaissance re-enactor, but not a Goth by any stretch of the imagination. Stephen King's writings are definitely gothic, but I'm not sure he would claim to be a Goth.

Where does Lady Raven fit in this scheme of things? It should be a given that I am quite gothic. Am I a Goth? I do share many beliefs with those within the culture and have done so all my life so...if I am, I am authentically so. I have not actively practiced my tendencies or sought acceptance within what would be my peers over the entire course of my life. I began to live authentically only recently...so there are some which would say that I am not a Goth. Also, while I was alive at the time, I did nothing to add to the formative years of the movement, though I could have if I had desired to do so. When the label is attached to me by those with whom I share so much then I will wear it proudly, as I do when the rest of society pins it on me. However, that is not all that important...I do not require the label to be myself anyhow. In the end it is you who expect such in order to know how to deal with me. What does that say about you?"

Lady Raven winks and begins to sip her cup of hot tea as she waits for your response.

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