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Politics and Activism

3 Halloween Costumes You Might Need To Rethink

Cultural Appropriation

Lois Miller

Sep 19, 2016

Arlington, Virginia

3 Halloween Costumes You Might Need To Rethink

Wikimedia

Cultural appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture. On the surface, this might not sound like a problem. However, costumes and other expressions of these cultures by someone who is not actively a part of one can be very offensive to those whom actually partake in these cultures.

Costumes portraying Geishas, Indians, Sugar Skulls, and much more can portray cultural appropriation. Also, general rule: DO NOT BLACK FACE.

A Geisha is a Japanese hostess trained to entertain with conversation, dance, and song.

Being a Geisha is a coveted title among women. There are also a lot of stigmas attached to the term. One of them is that they are prostitutes. This is simply false -- Geisha women do not engage in paid sex with clients. Because of this, and especially how coveted the title is, it's unwise to dress up as a Geisha or any version of it for Halloween. This is especially because costumes for Halloween are very sexualized, and Halloween indirectly gives people a way to diss and laugh at other cultures without regard for them.

Don't wear anything in regards to Native Americans.

Headdresses are a very sacred thing in Native American culture and it takes a lot of work to get them. Headdresses were used kind of like display of all the amazing things that a certain individual has done. Don't disrespect that by wearing it for Halloween.

Sugar Skulls have been very common Halloween looks in the past couple of years.They're beautiful, and sometimes very simple to do. Sugar Skulls, however, belong to Mexico's Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Sugar skulls represent departed souls. It's believed that on October 31st, spirits of deceased children are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2nd, adult spirits are able to come and enjoy the festivities prepared for them. Taking what a culture uses as a memorial for others and making it into a costume is cultural appropriation.

Overall, if it's concerned with a race or a cultural, it's probably racist in some form. Stay away from cultural and race-based Halloween costumes this year. Be safe and have a good time!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

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2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

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8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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