In Goth and other subcultures (or countercultures), freedom of identity and self-expression are what draw many people in. For some, it is a way or life, for others it is a trend, and there are those that turn Goth into a marketable business (extreme grey area).
I have no political affiliations what-so-ever, but, I could not help but to think about the things stated in the “Communist Manifesto”. But remember, I must state, this is just a pondering – a reflection. This in no way endorses my affiliations by what is stated here-in as far as communism. I will have to say that I could not help but to see the parallelism in our modern world -not to mention the under-currents of “world goth society”.
It really does seem (now) as if there are two distinct classes of Goth: the bourgeois, and the proletariat. In other words, we have those that are the “influencing class and the slave-worker class”. In a way, it really seems odd to think of it in that light, but it does make sense.
Marx: Communist Manifesto –
“It has pitilessly torn asunder the motley feudal ties that bound man to his “natural superiorsâ€, and has left remaining no other nexus between man and man than naked self-interest, than callous “cash paymentâ€.
For a culture that prides itself upon openness, intelligence, and freedom of expression -have we purposely gone into using tools of “economic class warfare” in order to justify ranks and authority upon our own kind. But, it is true, and I say, “For a premium account on any given underground social network, YOU, yes YOU, can have all the power and authority you can purchase.” Look, I am not saying all networks are bad, what I am saying is use your better judgement to decide if the network embraces it’s ideals, or is nothing more than an online-storefront-business. If you make your living by providing something for the culture, based upon some form of ethics, morals, or aesthetics of that culture, then somehow there might worth in that.
And, I have to admit, yes, even I fell for that trip. My biggest disadvantage of being a life-long Goth is that, while I lived among the normal social class, there were never any of my own kind with which to engage. There might have been one or two dabblers, but none so-bound, to walk hand-in-hand along the “long dark mile”. Even now, I am entirely alone, haven’t had any Gothic company in well over 2 years. The places I live -it is either wasteland, or living among the poor, the hard-working, the wretched. I have spent more time in the “real Gothic world” than the “fantasy Gothic world”. Believe me, there is a difference, and, I hope you never have to live it. Matter of fact, if I believe in a higher-power(like a god or some bullshit), I would even pray that you never have to live the life I have be so unfortunate to live.
Marx: Communist Manifesto –
“The bourgeoisie has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation to a mere money relation.”
If your Gothic friends are not the equivalent of your own family, then pray tell, who might be these nameless, faceless, heartless machines? Your cohorts in crime, perhaps business associates, users and dealers, or perhaps you and your empty reflection(?) (A cruel jest or is it?)
Marx: Communist Manifesto –
“Conservation of the old modes of production in unaltered form, was, on the contrary, the first condition of existence for all earlier industrial classes.”
If we do not aspire to be more educated, evolved, and developed by “our own traditions”, do we allow our kind to be assimilated? Who wants to be “one more one of many of nothings”?
Marx: Communist Manifesto –
 “The bourgeoisie has through its exploitation of the world market given a cosmopolitan character to production and consumption in every country.”
When any of our kind buys into the very un-natural trends (coming from angles that could have in no way manifested inside our culture); are we nothing more than empty life-less characters who purchase meaningless fantasies, consumed without question, to fatten us up like sheep for the slaughter? When was the last time your pockets and work were more important to another than you?
I do not want to be apart of a state for which I am only a worker and slave. I do not want to be a Goth that works for the ruling-class (pseudo authoritarian Goths). Antagonism of our own kind should in no way be the means of our methods.
Marx: Communist Manifesto –
The development of Modern Industry, therefore, cuts from under its feet the very foundation on which the bourgeoisie produces and appropriates products. What the bourgeoisie therefore produces, above all, are its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable.
In this last paragraph, I do believe it summarizes what will eventually happen within Goth. But, the irony is that, there will always be another set of “bourgeoisie” peddling fantasies, whether they be products, online social networks, music, and art.
I do believe that the intelligent Goth will be able to discern between the two.
The only revolution in Goth culture that I feel we need is more honor, respect, and intelligent guidance set by the example of those who are in a significant position to do so.
Out with the pseudo-Goth bourgeoisie, and hail to the life-loving, hard working Goth proletariat.
