Goths in the news
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Goths in the Press
Whenever a crime is committed by a teenager in black clothing, goth culture takes a beating in the press. It is often associated with violence and cultism.
Cultism: There is no unifying belief system, no leadership, no means of social control, no rites of inclusion/exclusion.
Violence: Goth culture is one of the few Western subcultures that eschews violence, not in writings or preachings, but in practice. Let the facts speak for themselves. Journalists can interview club owners who host regular (dress-code) goth events. Ask about security concerns for goth events as compared to any other event.
Goths need a break
Consider press bias with the following example: Christianity is a subculture that has a two thousand year history of organized and individual violence. When its members commit crimes, it not reexamined to any degree. Its suitability for teenagers is not questioned. This is amazing because the religion does not attempt to distance itself from those offenders; on the contrary, convicts often receive special attention.
The goth community, by contrast, shuns harmful people. There is no concept of "sin" in the gothic world view, therefore, there is no possibility of reform, redemption, or salvation. You're either gothic or you're not, and violent tendencies are a disqualifier.
Lastly, there is an important distinction to bear in mind when considering press reports about so-called "goths." There is a gothic subculture comprised of people who subscribe to a gothic aesthetic as a lifestyle. There is a goth scene, which is comprised of anyone who shows up wearing black. The scene is much bigger than the subculture.