By Hanifah Jones, Digital Media Editor
As Halloween approaches and we prepare our costumes, I would like to warn against the real horror of Halloween: cultural appropriation.
While I was trying to find inspiration for my costume, I stumbled across a few problematic ones. I couldn’t believe my eyes, seeing that “Sexy Geisha” and “Sexy Indian Chief” were listed as options. I couldn’t believe that people still think that’s okay: it’s not.
Taking a piece of someone’s culture and wearing it as a Halloween costume is extremely offensive. These are people who face marginalization every day for merely existing, and it is not your place to take that and use it for your own entertainment; it’s a mockery.
Making it “sexy” is even worse, far too often do we subscribe to cultural fetishizations and a “Sexy Geisha” costume is a prime example of this.
For generations, minority cultures have faced ridicule and mockery. This year let’s just avoid cultural appropriating all together. There are plenty of other costume options out there that can be fun, creative and yes, even sexy.
From superheroes to the living dead, there are tons of non-appropriating costumes. You can get creative and go all out on your makeup, YouTube has some tutorials for zombie and vampire looks. There are also some great mermaid makeup tutorials if spooky isn’t your thing.
DIY is also a great option if you’re pressed for time. Pinterest is full of great ideas.
Personally, I decided to dress as a Power Ranger, in a cute homage to a childhood TV show. I was able to create the costume myself and avoid being culturally offensive.
So, if you were thinking of dressing as a traditional Native American, don’t do it. Wanted to imitate Dios Los Muertos by painting a skeleton on your face? No. Don’t dress up as a “black person” and don’t use black face it’s never okay, no matter what Megyn Kelly says.
Halloween weekend on college campuses across the country are like a ritual. Let’s be honest, Halloween is one of the best weekends at Susquehanna. I spent last Halloween abroad in South Africa where it isn’t really celebrated. As a senior, it’s bittersweet to know that this is my last collegiate Halloween and I really want it to be great.
Let’s make this a Halloween to remember and avoid offending anyone. If you have an offensive costume, you should really rethink it. Is it worth hurting other people?
There are plenty of costumes out there that are cute, creative and even sexy, that don’t appropriate the culture of others. I urge my fellow students to be mindful of people with different backgrounds and remember, culture is not a costume.
The editorials of The Quill reflect the views of individual members of the editorial board. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire editorial board or of the university. The content of the Forum page is the responsibility of the editor in chief and the Forum editor
