A Post Goth Era?

I am reminded this morning that the Goth subculture is found in many countries , beginning as an offshoot of the Post-punk genre and promoting any political and values-driven activism. Known for its preoccupation with darkness and the night, as well as a romantic attachment to the morbid, Goth culture is accepting of multiple types of people. This tolerance also includes the acceptance of widespread religious beliefs from strict Catholics to atheists and polytheists.

Just yesterday, I shared with my body psychotherapist Ellen Gayda the story of my then partner’s son coming home late from a Marilyn Manson concert still wearing dark eyeshadow and black nail polish. Until dawn arose, ending the darkness of our bedroom, I explained to my horrified partner that his son wasn’t gay, just because he was wearing black nail polish.

Driving this 15-year-old home from his guitar lesson the next day, I explained that I would defend him 110% if he refused to take off his nail polish. The choice was his. I only asked that he make his decision within the reality that his father was besides himself with concern, and our entire weekend would be clouded by dad’s attempts to interpret the meaning of his only son wearing black nail polish. 

After three minutes of silence, riding past one innocuous American strip mall after another, the young man asked for my nail polish remover when we got home.

Akiss Paraskevopoulos | ‘Petites Gouttes De Soleil’

Most likely these gorgeous, Goth-inspired images from Akiss Paraskevopoulos are not intended to make any social commentary beyond the fashion effects organized by Martha Dimaki ,who chose the clothes from Deux Hommes, Celebrity Skin and Chistina Scarpeli, with accessories from Maria Mastori.

And yet, the images do prompt a response in my own mind. Given our intellectual perspective at Anne of Carversville, how can they not?  I, too, have a Goth mentality when the focus is tolerance.

As a small-time thinking person, I note that some Goths do become more politicized. In August 2010, big-time Goth Anne Rice renounced her Christianity and specifically the Catholic Church over its persecution of women and gays.

While thinking Goths maintain their commitment to tolerance but also political inaction, Pope Benedict nails the coffin for women, with his determination to reassert the authority of orthodox Roman Catholicism.

One of my favorite commercials of all time, the Axe Angels ad was pulled off South African television this week, because one Christian man made a federal case of its interpretation that Angels do not fall literally from the sky and must be banned. This is what happens when angels wake up to their own power.

Anne of Carversville at War

We live in dangerous times, and I will use all the symbolism at my disposal to advance arguments about the inherent misogyny embedded in monotheism.

Studying the words of other blogs and fashion websites, I realize my willingness to take stands on important issues for women puts me at odds with other bloggers. But that is also why you love me.