Now that Halloween is over, pictures are up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Everyone is excited to show how cute or scary they looked, whether it be with their significant other or a group of friends. Costumes get more and more creative each year, but some favorites really need to be re-evaluated.

Recently, I have seen posts on social media discussing the appropriateness of costumes depicting certain cultures, races, and careers. Some people are adamant that we should not be dressing up as Native Americans, for example. Many people also dress up as Gypsies, Mexicans, use blackface and wear turbans as a costume. I saw this year that one couple decided that the girl would dress as a young Caitlyn Jenner, when she was still known as Bruce, and the boy as Caitlyn Jenner now. I have even seen people dress as other stereotypes, such as a "frat bro."

So, what should we do? Should we sensor ourselves so much that we don't wear any of these costumes? I'm honestly not sure. I think the problem is that people just want to be humorous and clever, but sometimes they go way too far. I'm sure the man on the left was trying to be funny, but are suicide bombers really something to laugh about? And the guy on the right? That costume will never be okay.

What bothers me are the stereotypes behind them that a lot of these costumes advertise and the way they make real cultures and people seem insignificant. For example, when I first saw a Native American costume at the store, I thought it was adorable, and I wanted to buy it. But then, I started thinking more. I realized that the significance behind the actual outfits worn by Native Americans is, from what I have seen at a Pow Wow I attended, a symbol of tribe, rank and spiritualism. By wearing that costume, I would be crushing that. The same holds true when a person dresses up as a "frat bro." They are perpetuating the stereotype that men in Fraternities are nothing more than unintelligent alcoholics, when in reality, the fraternities I know of strive to help men hold themselves to the highest standards.

I understand that people want to have fun on Halloween. No one means to upset someone else with their costume. It depends on who you are and what you believe. If you want to rock that feather headdress, that's your choice. But, in my opinion, there are some pretty cute/sexy/clever costumes out there that don't run the risk of offending anyone. You can never go wrong with a good-old-fashioned witch costume.