Teen Gothic

** Please note that i'm merely speaking about my own personal experience and not trying to diminish other people's experience within the community *\*

As someone with Iranian heritage who has been in the scene for a long time, i've never felt unwelcomed at all. I never got racist or ignorant comments thrown at me. Not in real ife, nor online. I honestly never felt like my ethnicity ever mattered. It didn't cross my mind once. And i also never felt like making my ethnicity a part of my goth identity. I was in the goth scene because i loved the music and loved the fashion and lifestyle that came with it. I have also found that out of all the alt scenes, goths were the kindest and chillest people.

I don't know if my appearance played a part in this, as i'm someone who is already naturally quite pale and have natural dark hair. For instance, when i stopped dressing goth, some people still thought that i was a goth.

I'm honestly shocked and also saddened hearing of poc goths who don't feel confident enough in joining the community. And what makes me even more sad and especially angry is when poc goths face scrutiny from other pocs and how they're being accused of acting ''white'', these kinds of ignorant remarks seems to be specifically thrown at black goths and it makes me so sad.

Goth is universal and for everyone. From the dark and ancient mysticism, folklore and sounds coming from the Middle East, to the spooky and eerie tales and aesthetics hailing from New Orleans. Goth has found inspiration from many corners of the world.