Halloween is around the corner and many people are looking for their costumes for this year. One situation that arises every year is that minorities will get triggered by cultural appropriation. It is important for everyone to make sure their costume doesn’t offend or trigger anyone.
- Don’t dress in in Traditional Costume
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Make sure your costume doesn’t include any ceremonial or religious symbols of another culture. Wearing a hijab or a traditional native American headpiece can be triggering to those of those cultures. Disney is not an exception, even dressing as a character from your favorite Disney movie if they have a different culture is appropriation.
- Don’t Stereotype
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Stereotyping a group of people for your costume is extremely offensive to people of that culture. Imagine if someone did that to you, you would be offended if someone stereotyped you and made it into a joke for Halloween.
- Don’t dress up as someone from another culture
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A good common rule us to not dress as someone from another culture and you are probably safe. Many costumes of other cultures are highly stereotyped and sexualized.
- NEVER EVER DO BLACKFACE
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This one really needs to explanation. No matter what your skin tone is it is extremely disrespectful to change what your skin tone looks like for a costume. No matter if its black, brown, or yellow.
- Don’t dress up as someone that has ever been oppressed
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Especially as someone who hasn’t been oppressed, it can trigger many people if you dress up as someone who was oppressed.
- When in doubt, research the culture
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If you are unsure, the odds are it is probably inappropriate. Your best bet is to do your research and lean on the side of caution.
The most important thing is to remember is that someone’s culture is not your costume. There are so many costume options that aren’t offensive or will trigger anyone. You can have an equally as fun or even more fun Halloween without appropriating anyone.