Over the last ten years, the zombie subculture ahs become more and more prevalent in many cities across the United States. Zombie walks, zombie t-shirts, zombie books and movies, and zombie costumes have become everyday sites all over the US. As a writer of articles that deal with horror movies, I have found that there are many that do not understand the zombie subculture, and have gained many misconceptions about the membership.
Fears
To truly understand the zombie subculture, we first have to take a look at the fears that draw zombie fans together into the subculture. Every subculture speaks to some kind of fears, and the common fears are what usually begin to define the group. Think of the fact that the Hippies in the 1960s and 1970s banded together over the fears of what the War in Vietnam could (and did) become.
One of the major fears spoken to in zombie movies would be the grouping of fears that relate to the afterlife. Many of the members of the zombie subculture (not all, though), find themselves questioning the aspects that we are taught about the afterlife. The zombie subculture is a place where these fears can be shared.
Another fear shared by many in the zombie subculture is the fear of what might happen to the world (and especially the United States and the United Kingdom) in the event of a catastrophe. Many zombie movies, and zombie literature, speak the how marshal law, rioting, murder, and deception could be caused by a major catastrophe. These fears are spoken to in group form.
Fears of the Armageddon is also a shared fear of many in the zombie subculture. Wondering what would happen, or cause, the end of the world is something that is regularly discussed. Since zombie movies speak to the line in the Bible that talks about the dead rising from the grave on the Last Day, many of the zombie enthusiasts will wonder if zombie movies are nothing more than a prophesy. Do not be surprised that many of the members of the zombie subculture are actually very religious people.
Essentially, if you look at most zombie movies, you will find that one single slow-moving zombie is easy to take care of. If it is not taken care of, multiple zombies will begin to appear and overwhelm a victim. Think about zombies as problems. Many of the members of the zombie subculture can relate that if problems begin to pile up, one can be overwhelmed. The fear of being overwhelmed is another shared fear in the subculture.
Hopes and Dreams
Most zombie movies and zombie literature point out that the walls of hate deteriorate when facing a major catastrophe (like a zombie outbreak). We see examples of whites and blacks working together towards a common goal of protection. We see heterosexuals and homosexuals forgetting about their debates and trying to work as one. This is something that is promoted in the zombie subculture.
The hope for global acceptance of all types of people is a hope that is shared by many in the zombie subculture. The fact that there is no room for hate when dealing with major issues is something that many in the zombie subculture have found themselves accepting longer than being part of a subculture.
Misconception
As someone who could be considered as a member of the zombie subculture, I have commonly been mistaken as someone who believes that a zombie outbreak is actually possible. The zombie subculture allows for a temporary release of logic in the celebration of what would never truly happen.
Another misconception is that the zombie subculture members are death worshipers. This could not be further from the truth. Most zombie enthusiasts have the same fears of death that everyone else has. They are no more worshipers of death than a child who dresses up as a zombie for Halloween.
I hope that this article has given you a better understanding of the zombie subculture, and of zombie subculture members. You might be surprised to realize that the zombie subculture is more likely to be one that presses for a utopian society strong than other subcultures that you might find.
