084: Goths of Color: Representation, Agency, and Marginalization

This month we are continuing our special series of expert panels
as we take deep dives into latent issues and hot topics within
the community, We previously discussed whether or not goth was
political and explored the deeply ingrained misogyny of
industrial, and this week we are exploring the intersectionality
and experiences of people of color.


Whether goth or not, in America we live in a culture built on
colonization, white washing and imperialism. The stories around
which our culture connects are white, our histories are littered
with appropriation of indigenous practices and our present is
full of tacit ignorance about the ways this continues to
reinforce the pain and inequality for people of color in our
communities. Oppressed groups like black women have a barrier to
self actualization that privileged groups who benefit from a
history of imperial patriarchy do not.


For as much lip service we give to goths being othered,
discriminated against and bullied out of society, the face of our
scene is still very often white.  The diversity of gender,
sexual expression and transgression of power structures was
implicit to the music scene in the 80’s however today, the ways
in which people of color are represented and welcomed in our
scene gets little of the attention among the discourse of
cultural issues like commodification, defining boundaries, and
music recommendations. Being as we live in a time when the
stories we build our identities around in America are in flux and
being discussed and debated, this seems like a gross oversight
within our communities.


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Our guests this episode are Mike K Johnson, Leila Taylor, DJ
Maus, and Zakkarrii. Special thanks to Kyle of The Breathing
Light who had last minute technical difficulties.


Resources and Further Reading/Viewing:
Commitment Against Racism
When They Invent a Darker Colour
So Goth I was Born Black
Goth So White?
Nazi Goths Fuck Off
What Ends When the Symbols Shatter
Who Will Us Be?
Diversity Conversations
When they Call you a Terrorist
Peace and Justice Summit


References:
Mexercy
Scary Black
Gothic Lamb
M Lamar
Bastet
Death
Witchhands
Shadow Age
The Ire