Halloween is right around the corner, and I thought I would provide a little list of costumes we aren't even going to try this year, college students. Culture is not a costume. A race is not a costume. Religion is not a costume. Plain and simple, let's get started.
1. Anything Blackface. ANYTHING.
This is not respectful and it is honestly it's racist. There are plenty of other costumes out there that are less controversial.
2. Pocahontas or a Native American Chief.
This is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Halloween and also things like parties, rave, and festivals. A Native American's culture is not up to a costume choice. When you wear fake headdresses or fake ceremonial clothing, you are significantly taking away the sacred aspect of these articles. On a ceremonial female dress, every bead is placed and prayed over in a significant fashion. A chieftain headdress is reserved specifically for chiefs and higher-ups within a tribe, not for girls half-dressed at overpriced festivals in the desert.
3. A Geisha.
Yet another costume that misrepresents an ethnic culture. Geishas were a type of female artists in earlier Japanese culture. Their uniforms and dress were reserved for Geishas and Japanese women, and are not meant for you to wear to some college party. Stop.
4. A Muslim, Depicted as a Terrorist.
Self-explanatory.
5. Caitlyn Jenner.
Transgender culture is still a culture that people seem to think is up for a comedic costume joke. The thing that is so disgusting about this is that trans-rights are not even guaranteed within our society, yet people feel the need to dress up as Caitlyn Jenner as a joke. She is not a costume, she is a person.
6. A Mexican.
This is just plain racist. Any costumes with sombreros, maracas, or ponchos worn by people of not Hispanic descent are racist; it is perpetuating a stereotype that surrounds a certain demographic of individuals. Just as saying racist jokes are not okay, racist costumes are not okay, ever.
7. Dia De Los Muertos Costumes (like a Sugar Skull).
Dia de Los Muertos is not Halloween. Let me repeat: Dia de Los Muertos is not Halloween. Dia de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that celebrates and remembers ancestors and family members that have passed. It is a serious holiday for remembrance. It is not synonymous with Halloween, even though there are similarities in costumes and treats and whatnot. Sugar skulls are a distinctive aspect of the Mexican holiday, and should not be used as a costume for a completely different holiday.
8. An Inuit (aka "Eskimo").
Same concept as the Native Americans. Also, Eskimo is a negative and derogatory term.
9. Romani People (G*****s).
So, fun fact: The "G-Word" used to describe nomadic Romani is actually a derogatory slang term and was used racially and maliciously to discriminate against these certain people. So, first off, don't use the G-Word. Secondly, dressing up as them is a form of mocking them and their typical dress. Don't do it.
10. Religious Figures of Any Religion.
A sheik. A nun. A priest. A rabbi. A sexy nun. Religion is an aspect of culture for many people. Dressing up as a religious figure is really offensive to those who partake in the religion. Also; stop sexualizing religious figures, it's just gross.
