This year has been an eventful one for social justice activism--from the silent solidarity marches in the streets of Manhattan to the growing protests in the rolling hills of North Dakota. But it seems that no matter how politically and culturally informed we are for the first ten months of the year, some of us are apt to let our sensitivity slip on the last day of October. Hollywood for one seems to have created its own shameful Halloween tradition of parading culture as costumes.
Take for instance Disney's Maui costume which was pulled from stores after being called out as another case of brownface. The costume, featuring a bodysuit marked with Polynesian tattoos and a faux leaf skirt, is an alarming metaphor for the way culture is so often treated as a wearable trend. A visual symbol of the effects of cultural appropriation, the brown bodysuit literally--though in costume form--presents the tattooed skin of Polynesian people as a prop. Despite Disney recalling the costumes from its stores and issuing an official apology, some still assert that the Moana bodysuit is not racist and that SJWs are only looking to police what we wear on Halloween.
But cultural appropriation isn't just about being politically correct or Moana costumes or Hillary Duff and her boyfriend dressed as a Native American and a sexy puritan for Halloween. It is about the covert ways in which facets of our cultural identity are stolen and impersonated.
I saw quite a few belly dancers and sugar skulls on Halloween, but I have also seen examples of cultural appropriation on the racks and walls of retail stores. You may not think that the 'ethnic' jewelry so flamboyantly curated and advertised by clothing retailers would be racist--but they are.These pieces not only highlight the self-righteous paradox of acknowledging the 'borrowed' culture but also do so by crudely labeling them as 'tribal print' or 'tribal inspired'. The word tribal calling back memories of colonialism by insinuating that these cultures are somehow inferior.
So the next time you're looking for a 'clever' costume or trendy costume jewelry, keep in mind who and what your accessory or attire represents.
