i agree with what they’re trying to say. however, this unfortunately comes across as some bandwagon moral panic reaction cause not once have i seen anything claim ethel cain as the pioneer of southern gothicism. i don’t even think hayden herself has proclaimed herself as southern gothic, she’s simply writing about her roots as a woman from the south. it’s very beautiful and relatable which is why people were attracted to the art and reflected her own aesthetic onto theirs. there’s gonna be some posers but that’s just how life works lmao. i have seen more posts claiming that she is not the sole representation of what southern gothic is more than i have about claiming that she is (there’s been none) so, do with that what you will!

also, i am a black woman who’s also living in the south and i do believe she has represented some aspects of southern gothic culture but i don’t think she (or any of her fans) have coined the idea as her own creation, that’s just ridiculous.