Costumes not Racism Please

It’s fall. My favorite season! I’m from the midwest and this time of year the air is so crisp and the trees are gorgeous. Each year I marvel at how the leaves could be so beautiful and dying at the same time.

Today I want to discuss Halloween costumes. I love the historical look back, so here is a quick history of Halloween. Personally, I truly enjoy wearing costumes and attending a good party. I’m still trying to convince my husband to participate in a couples’ costume this year. Although this is supposed to be a fun time sometimes, people can become so caught up in the festivities of the season that they select a costume that is in poor taste or is just straight up racist. Dressing as someone’s identity such as making a costume of an indigenous person or wearing blackface are always offensive. Here are a few more costumes that top the offensive list:

• wearing a sombreo and making a costume of Mexican identity

• dressing like a Rastafarian

• Romani costume

• a person who is unhoused

• a “covid” cosutme

• wearing a Geisha costume

• an incarcerated person

• a person who is struggling with mental illness

• Eskimo costume

  Halloween is the beginning of the holiday season. Just around the corner are: Thanksgiving, Kwanazaa, Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Bodhi Day - just to name a few! I will be posting another blog post soon about how to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and committing microaggressions while at office holiday parties. Too much alcohol + forced small talk can sometimes lead to offensive comments. It’s possible to enjoy the holidays and allow others to enjoy the day too!