As somebody who’s of Middle Eastern heritage, I dislike Halloween very a lot. It’s the time of yr when my pal who as soon as thought Pakistan and Syria have been each bordering nations, who as soon as requested me if I preferred “Muslim food,” and who as soon as expressed her sorrow concerning the struggle in my nation (in Lebanon?) decides that this yr she ought to gown up as attractive Jasmine from Aladdin. If I’ve to clarify why the above sentences are offensive, then Boston College’s cultural range core class requirement has failed.
Cultural appropriation refers back to the misuse of cultural components, often clothes, of 1 tradition by one other. There appears to be an uptick in cases of cultural appropriation round Halloween, by which folks try to faux to be one thing they’re not, equivalent to a witch or vampire. Dressing up as somebody that you just’re not develop into a problem, nevertheless, once you gown up as a member tradition that has an extended historical past of oppression. It is disrespectful as a result of by utilizing a tradition as a dressing up diminishes the worth of that tradition. This will be seen in conditions the place white folks put on darkish make-up to be able to look black, also called black or brownface. Similarly, cultural appropriation is when a non-Christian individual clothes up as a “sexy nun” for Halloween, or when a non-Muslim individual wears conventional Saudi Arabian garb to be able to appear to be a “Muslim terrorist”.
Halloween costumes are historically scary. We shouldn’t affiliate darker pores and skin tones or conventional cultural garb with worry. We shouldn’t have ghosts and zombies and demons subsequent to folks in Saris or Hulu skirts. What does that say about these explicit cultures? That they’re scary, primitive, beastly. There is a crucial distinction between cultural appropriation and appreciation. Wearing a Sari at an Indian pal’s wedding ceremony just isn’t the identical as sporting it as a dressing up at a Mod’s Halloween celebration.
As a nation, America is complicit within the plundering of Native American cultures. The least we might do is keep away from utilizing components of their tradition as costume props. Historically, Native American girls have been, and proceed to be sexually abused by non-Native males. Native American girl proceed to be fetishized and objectified. This form of objectification is magnified by innocent Halloween costumes. By dressing up as attractive Pocahontas, one can instantly contribute to the dehumanizing stereotype that portrays Native American girls as objects of sexual gratification.
I’m certain many have seen the latest picture circulating across the web of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in brownface. Don’t be like Trudeau. I can not imagine I really feel the necessity to write this in 2019, however right here it’s: Altering bodily options to look like of a distinct race for the sake of a dressing up is disrespectful and, fairly frankly, ridiculous. Staying dwelling on Halloween is best than sporting blackface. Blackface has traditionally been used to perpetuate degrading stereotypes about black folks. Their blackness just isn’t an adjunct to tackle or off at any time when one pleases. Their identification just isn’t a Halloween costume.
This just isn’t a problem unique to white folks. It applies to all races. People of all backgrounds have been responsible of this. Nobody must be mocked based mostly on their race, nationwide origin, faith, or incapacity, or dwelling in a society with full disregard for anybody else’s emotions. We can (and will) do higher than the generations earlier than us.
There is a large distinction between sporting cultural put on, equivalent to a sombrero or a sari, and sporting a blue gown to appear to be Elsa from Frozen. There is a distinction between dressing up as a Disney princess whose garments are on a regular basis garments, and a princess whose garments are somebody’s cultural put on, or a dressing up that might require one to alter their bodily options to alter one’s race.
When unsure, college students ought to put themselves into the footwear of their friends. How will my black pal really feel if I put on darkish make-up to be able to appear to be Snoop Dogg? Avoid costumes which might be on a regular basis garb for different folks. Dress up as a ghost, vampire, demon, and so on.—the choices are limitless. It’s extraordinarily straightforward to keep away from offending folks, so this Halloween, let’s do exactly that.
Every yr, UGBC sends out an e mail about “Dress with Respect” for Halloween events. I counsel college students really learn it this yr, significantly in the event that they’re not too certain about their costume. Halloween is a enjoyable time of yr, and it’s even higher after we respect others and their cultures. Cultural appropriation shouldn’t be a Halloween costume—and that’s simply widespread sense.
