By Jack Bartholomew
What exactly defines the “norm” nowadays? Do you have to continually sprint to the latest trend to meet the current amendments made by our society? This is something that sprung to my mind recently in light of the allegations against Marilyn Manson, which are heinous acts definitely worthy of a disgusted reaction. What I didn’t expect so see, however, in lieu of these despicable crimes, is the astounding amount of people using this as an excuse to throw abuse at goth and alternative culture. It’s hard to believe that in 2021 people are still being discriminated for their individuality including what they choose to wear, the genre of music they appreciate, their hairstyles and, even in some severe cases, their personality. Why is this still happening? Are we really this underdeveloped as a society?
An incident that sticks out to me is the brutal attack on Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby in 2007, which ended with her being viciously murdered by a depraved gang. Why? All because they looked ‘different’. The teenagers then celebrated after sending Sophie into a thirteen day coma because she was a “mosher.” The term “mosher” has been around since rock was invented and sources at the time reported that the attackers parents’ behavior impacted their crime. This indicates that it’s been an ongoing issues for years that clearly hasn’t been resolved. Both Sophie and Robert were described by their parents as non-confrontational. They did nothing except exist and these oxygen thieves were intimidated by their individuality and attacked them. It makes my blood boil. Why would you want to cause damage to somebody that expresses themselves. Disgusting behavior.
The fact that these hate crimes still exist is beyond belief. Teens in schools are still hurdled abuse by the “normal” kids. By “normal” I’m referring to the capitalist loving, highest brand of fashion wearing brat that does everything possible to appease their friends that could be an identical clone. Yeah, that “normal.” On social media people are being treated like they’re minuscule for looking a certain way or listening to a certain genre of music. Outside of certain concerts fans are being abused simply for lining up in their favorite outfit to see an artist they adore. This is unacceptable. Haven’t we learnt how to accept different cultures? I can’t even believe that this is an issue we should be discussing in modern times.
Discrimination isn’t just exclusive to goth culture; it’s all alternative genres. Punk, rock n’ roll, heavy metal… I could go on. If you don’t listen to an artist that fits their expectations or isn’t grounded enough you become a “misfit”, an “outcast”, a “freak” or “weird.” Society nominates you as a non-associate; you’re immediately treated differently. Even if you listen to that genre without fully embracing it, people will still still glare at you with judgement. It’s almost as if you committed a homicide for enjoying an art or a mood and interpreting it into your personality.
After being in the rock/alt community for as long as I can remember I have experienced some of this first hand. Upon meeting new people I’ve had some comment on a shirt I’m wearing of a band and they’ll say “oh, I didn’t know you listen to that shouty stuff” implying I’m supposed to look or act a certain way if I’m heavily invested in a genre. Even when lining up for shows – everyone knows I always arrive early for a position at the front – I’ve heard people yell “emos!!” I’m not the only one this has happened to either; there’s been stories and social media posts about this from friends and associates that have experienced those exact issues.
A misleading stereotype that originated from grunge is that all rock/metal fans are depressed loaners that despise their existence. Let me assure you now, that is not true. Does that mean that all science fiction fans are rocket scientists? There’s no correlation. You’re allowed to enjoy an exceptionally well written song about sorrow when you’re happy – you don’t have to wear the emotion to enjoy a genre. Hell, most music from the genre isn’t on that subject matter anyway; it’s extremely diverse. Judgmental is an understatement.
All I ask is that you think before you curse a community. We’re not blood addled maniacs that’ll bite a chunk out of your flesh just for crossing our path. The vast majority of the community are peaceful like-minded people that just appreciate a different fashion or music genre to you. I just reinforce an infamous point; everyone in this world is different, we all appreciate different aspects of life. It’s what makes us human. Doesn’t that make us all weird?
Now, this is calling all you cool cats and kittens… I mean, all the awesome people of the community. Embrace it! Don’t act on the judgement from others. What makes us powerful is that we’re confident in our niche little bubble. The toxic people in society have tried to defame us but we kept fighting to the point we’re at now. Keep owning your eccentricity. So what if you’re different? It definitely makes us protrude over the sinking basic person that pretends to only like everything only because it’s verified by others. Own the look. Own the sound. Own your individuality. Why change who you are to meet the requirement of others?
Earie Entertainment 