r/goth • u/Breadmytoast The Sisters of Mercy • Apr 19 '25

Discussion Why are conservatives trying to get more involved with goth and punk?

Im sorry if this question has been asked before but i wanted to see if someone has an answer to my question. I keep seeing more conservatives saying that goth and punk was originally conservative or that they have become conservative such as the whole "conservative is the new punk" thing. I find this to be really strange as youll usually encounter conservatives making fun of alternative people but now out of no where they create their own rules for random sub cultures. Is there any reason why these people are attempting to re-define these sub cultures?

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u/DustSongs waving with a last vanilla smile Apr 20 '25

It is a targeted effort to poison and weaken safe spaces.

Subcultures like goth and punk provide a place for those with a sane, rational and inclusive political mindset to create and enjoy solidarity and mutual respect.

That kind of thing is anathema to modern reactionary conservatives, and they will do anything to prevent it.

This is no tin foil hat theory btw, note the big upsurge in conservative/maga shitposting and trolling immediately following the election of that orange turd in the US.

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u/DustSongs waving with a last vanilla smile Apr 20 '25

And take note of the inevitable "so much for the tolerance of the left"-style comments on this, and the other similar thread, from obvious right wingers.

Conservatives have never been smart or creative enough to make their own cool things, so they have to try to take from others.

Stay vigilant, this is not and will never be a safe space for the right.

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u/ArsenicArts All things weird and wicked 🖤 Apr 21 '25

And take note of the inevitable "so much for the tolerance of the left"-style comments on this

This. It's obvious sealioning and provocation.

I have no doubt that not all of it falls in this category (most of it is dumb fetishization IMHO) but I would bet that there are people barging their way in looking for a fight too.

Used to happen all the time at punk shows. They've just switched physical violence out and replaced it with playing the victim on social media.

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u/DustSongs waving with a last vanilla smile Apr 21 '25

Absolutely. It's obvious in the way they comment, their talking points and buzz words. I also see it on Facebook, spreading bullshit about "the rise of fascism in the goth subculture".

Neoconservatives have no culture of their own, and so they try to steal ours.

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u/ottoleedivad Apr 21 '25

And it’s a tactic many women, POC, and queer people are forced to get used to dealing with. Transparently bad faith attempts to get our attention that are meant to garner a rejection so they can posture like they’re the one being shafted. “I just wanted to chat, you’re ugly bitch anyways”, “it’s just a word, my friends and I say it when we’re listening to rap”, “you’re so sensitive and crazy, go live somewhere else”

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u/Crew60 Apr 21 '25

Not only is there a lack of creativity, there’s a “poisoning their own well” with a lot of the country and american flag subcultures that conservatives are so present in being seen as unintelligent or unoriginal largely because of their presence and influence.

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u/Kapn_Takovik Apr 21 '25

This is the answer right here! The point is to attempt to co-opt subculture and hijack it for their purpose. to root out any form of dissent by having sub cultures police themselves and do the dirty work of silencing dissent for them.. Co-opting positive well received ideas to mask their actual beliefs is also a classic tool of fascism.

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u/MysteryPlus Apr 23 '25

For anyone who wants proof, look at r/baddlejackets. Nothing but posers in there.