Choosing Culturally-Conscious Costumes for Halloween
- Author Rachel Ranieri
- Published July 6, 2024
- Word count 413
As Halloween creeps closer, the phrase "My culture is not your costume" echos louder. It's a simple plea: don't wear something that mocks or belittles someone's culture. But every year, it seems like some people still don't get it. Stereotypical and downright offensive costumes keep popping up, and before October 31st comes around again, it's time to talk about deciding which costumes are not okay to wear.
In an effort to inform the masses on how to know if their costume is offensive, consider these three questions:
-
To what cultural group does this costume represent?
-
How is that cultural group oppressed in our society?
-
Could this make someone uncomfortable, especially someone who belongs to the cultural group?
Lets try it together! For this example, we will take the costume of a “hula girl” and ask ourselves the 3 questions to determine whether or not the costume is okay to wear.
- To what cultural group does this costume represent?
This costume represents Hawaiian Indigenous culture.
- How is that cultural group oppressed in our society?
Since the 1800s, Hawaii's been grappling with colonization, and it's far from over. Back then, colonizers even tried to ban hula! Today, the effects linger on. Commercialism's taken over, pushing out locals and turning their home into a tourist playground. But Hawaiians aren't taking it, they're calling on travelers to rethink their vacation plans in hopes to hit the pockets of those profiting off their land and reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
- Could this make someone uncomfortable, especially someone who belongs to the cultural group?
Yes, especially when considering the cultural significance. As someone who isn't Hawaiian, wearing a hula costume would be deeply disrespectful. Hawaiians fought long and hard for the right to practice hula, and seeing someone who isn't culturally connected to that struggle flaunt it as a costume perpetuates the privilege society grants them and dismisses the ongoing fight Hawaiians face.
Decision: Wear a different costume.
Lets try one more! This time the costume will be a superhero:
- To what cultural group does this costume represent?
Superheros, people with super powers.
- How is that cultural group oppressed in our society?
They do not exist in our society. However, heroic citizens are typically honored in society, not oppressed.
- Could this make someone uncomfortable, especially someone who belongs to the cultural group?
It shouldn’t.
Decision: You can wear the superhero costume.
It is that simple! Try it with your friends and family this upcoming holiday season.
Rachel Ranieri
June 2024
Find me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ranieri
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The 1922 Salacious Double Murder of the Priest and His Choir Singer.
- NATO: A Stronghold of Global Security and Cooperation – Ideas and Steps for Action
- Occupational Variability of Potters behind the Demise of the Traditional Pottery Industry
- Investigating the Rich Embroidery of Culture: An Excursion Through Variety and Custom
- Talismans of courage: The untold stories of Iranian soldiers and their taweez in the Iran-Iraq war
- Sustainable World
- Social Isolation in Disabled People
- Ableism in the USA
- How Disability Stereotypes Are Harmful
- Controversies and Consequences: The Impact of Sharia Law on Human Rights with Nigeria as a case study.
- Astrology Reading VS Tarot Reading
- Token of Recognition, in homage to Cadi Si Mohamed Benfettacha El-Messaadi
- Life In Saudi Arabia
- Therapy Is The Super-Spreader Of Wokeness
- What Was the Taisho Era (Period) in Japan? – A Complete Overview
- Don't Let Genocide Be Our Epitaph
- Embracing a Fresh Start: Coexilia's Role in Nurturing Social Issues and Culture
- The Evolution of Toothbrushes: From Ancient Chewing Sticks to High-Tech Devices
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of American Tipping Culture
- The Impact of Culture on Cross-Cultural Leadership
- The Darker Side of Psychology
- Ignoring the Natives: The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Indigenous Peoples of North Central USA & Canadian
- Guns, Our Descent into Barbarism
- The Sound of Music-Is a Divine or Evil Act?
- Independence Day
- The Hustle
- To begin with
- The Pandemic Has Given Each of Us Chance to Reset Our Lives
- Will Social Media Companies Ever Make Fighting Online Abuse a Priority?