Each year, there is a multitude of people who choose to wear Native American-inspired costumes either out of sheer ignorance or apathy.
There are more articles than I can count over this subject, but I wanted to share my opinion. Wearing a headdress or a Pocahontas costume can be likened to that of black face, however, we often don’t recognize it as the same caliber of insensitivity because we have yet to fully recognize what we have done and continue to do to the Native Americans. This is a more than a costume. This is the complete appropriation of a culture that is still ignored and treated as if they are nothing. For those that like to claim, “This is just Halloween” or “Why are people so sensitive?” This is a sensitive issue and if you fail to recognize that, you need to brush up on your history.
One Reddit user offers the best explanation:
“Native here (Wampanoag). It has more to do with the types of “regalia” that are worn. The iconic feather headdress is reserved for a specific cultural purpose. If a native decided to go as a native for Halloween, you would not see them wearing that headdress. In fact, regalia often consists of many pieces. Each has a meaning.
A good metaphor: An atheist with no knowledge of religion whatsoever walks into the Vatican wearing the pope’s hat. He doesn’t know the meaning behind the hat, definitely isn’t seen as “worthy” by the followers of said religion, and to top it all off he took something that people have molded their lives around and simplified it as if it were just another daily lulz for them.”
This “costume” is much more than a costume to the Native Americans. It is their history, their culture, and their life. It is time that we understand and respect this and with all that we have put them through, it is only right that we do so. However, the cynic in me knows that as I go out this Halloween I will see this “costume” on people and will witness the degradation and disrespect of the Native American culture firsthand. Unfortunately, not everyone will care and many will ignore this. I urge everyone to educate themselves on this matter. Learn the true history of the Native Americans and recognize what they still go through today.
Hopefully, with a better understanding of Native American culture, people can develop a deeper respect and admiration for the Native American people.
