I Am Not a Costume!

[SWTXBelle]

I had friends who used to throw Halloween parties with a theme - guests would dress up in something appropriate to the theme. I won the year the theme was detectives - I was Nancy Drew - and the year the theme was aliens - I was Magenta from RHPS. That was grown-assed fun.

And these ARE creepy - http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow...or-david-lynch

WARNING - pictures contain scary clown.

[IrishLake]

Nope, just my personal preference. I think it's a pseudo-holiday for kids.

[DrPhil]

To keep this thread from being about anything other than racist Halloween costumes:

Originally Posted by The Root Article

The 10 members of Ohio University's STARS organization were fed up with offensive costumes that reinforce negative racial and cultural stereotypes. So STARS, which stands for Students Teaching About Racism in Society, created a poster campaign to draw attention to those costume choices that are simply "not okay." With just five powerful posters featuring young men or women of various races holding a photo of a "racist costume," the students of STARS have started a movement

[amIblue?]

For the record, these issues do not require that we find personal offense or even have personal consciousness. I say this because I often hear people say things like "my Black friend says this isn't bad so that means it is okay...why are you offended as a Black person" as a defense for things. Not all Black people agree on what is appropriate but, like I said earlier, let the Blacks folks disagree on that. Meanwhile, nonBlacks need to spare us the "I'm going to do this to prove that I can do it just like you can" routine.

Do you need to add that bold part to the agenda at your next Black Folks Meeting?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Do you need to add that bold part to the agenda at your next Black Folks Meeting?

LOL. You're trying to get my Black Card revoked. The purpose of the Black Folks Meeting is so we can agree on everything.

[Mevara]

What if I was to dress as any of the following: cowboy, Indian, Princess Jasmine, pocahontas.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Mevara

What if I was to dress as any of the following: cowboy, Indian, Princess Jasmine, pocahontas.

Are you trying to figure out what to dress up as?

[IrishLake]

There was a little boy dressed up as one of the "Three Amigos!" tonight. He even did the little dance. I laughed!

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by IrishLake

There was a little boy dressed up as one of the "Three Amigos!" tonight. He even did the little dance. I laughed!

Three Amigos as in THIS????!!! (as if there is another kind)

AWESOME.

[IrishLake]

Originally Posted by lovespink88

Three Amigos as in THIS????!!! (as if there is another kind)

AWESOME.

The very same!

[amIblue?]

Personally, I hate dressing up as anything. It's just a pain in the butt and expensive. After college up until my daughter was born, my Halloween agenda typically included lights off and quietly watching TV.

My daughter asked me what I was going to be for Halloween this year, and I told her "an office worker." Usually a costume ends up being uncomfortable somehow (Hot, itchy, too tight, etc.), people don't get what I am, and I'd just rather wear my regular clothes.

That being said, if I were to dress up, I would never want to dress up as something that would be considered hurtful by anyone; hell, it's supposed to be fun. I don't find offending other people fun. I just don't get the attitude of someone who thinks that it should be OK because a member of another group can do it. There are too many choices that wouldn't be offensive. It's not as if the choices are limited to witch, ghost, Black stereotype, Hispanic stereotype, and Asian stereotype.

Also, all that makeup to change your skin tone on all visible skin would fall into that uncomfortable costume arena for me. (not that this is the reason NOT to do it, but just a practicality!)

Am I offended by a nonCaucasian dressing up as any Caucasian person? No. Am I offended by white face? No. Have at it. Unless you're dressing up as me or my family and showing up looking like a jacked-up mess, you're probably not going to hurt my feelings.

[agzg]

But there is a difference between going in white face versus going in black face.

1. Black face has a historical significance that white face does not have.
2. Part of privilege is expecting everyone to be just like you (general you here). While there are a lot of ways that people of non-white races can be racist, white face is not one when taken out of context.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by 2010 Colorlines Article

In the memorable words from "Mean Girls": “Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” Apparently, the same holds true for costumes that mock, imitate and belittle certain racial groups. So, as we all get ready for the coming weekend’s parties, here’s my review of some of the most racist options being sold this year, along with some bad ideas that recur every Halloween. Share it with anybody you think might need the help.

http://colorlines.com/archives/2010/..._to_avoid.html

This "Ghetto Fab Wig" is how my REAL hair looks. Damn Kohl's for doing that.




http://www.jsonline.com/business/105402358.html

[christiangirl]

^^That reminds me--while I was at the mall yesterday, I saw a wig of locks that was labeled "Hip Hop Hair." I gave the package a side eye.

[christiangirl]

Right on cue. I was at a party and a girl came dressed as Obama, complete with brown mask. A guy walked in shortly after dressed as Osama Bin Laden (with mask). I left and went to another party (I'm such a butterfly tonight!)and there there is a guy here dressed as an Arab. No particular person but in stereotypical Arabian Knight garb. I feel much differently torward him than the guy dressed as Jafar, who is wearing just about the same stuff but is an identifiable persona.

/observations