http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/26/living/halloween-ethnic-costumes/index.html
One student last semester told me that she saw no problem dressing up as "slutty Pocahontas" once a year, for Halloween.If we think about the implications of such a decision, what else can we add to it and how can we educate this student and other people dressing in demeaning "ethnic" costumes for Halloween? Please post your thoughts! There is no right or wrong answer.
Wow, that's really surprising about "slutty Pocahontas." I feel like this is stretched across the board though, not just in minority cultures. People often dress up as "slutty historical figures" which I find offensive and inappropriate. These were people, and while I don't see a problem with dressing up as an accurate version of them, to demean them with "slutty" costumes is simply inappropriate.
ReplyDeleteI actually find that really funny. All this is nothing new. Halloween is a time for everyone to either be horrifying or hilarious. This may be just my opinion, but good comedy is willing to step over the line of political correctness. I am trying to find a GOOD comedian that has never used a stereotype during their set.
ReplyDeleteAs for this being offensive because it is a historical figure, making fun of or giving inaccurate representations of people from the past will never end. I mean recently Lincoln was portrayed as a vampire hunter. Now if someone can pull off a slutty Lincoln vampire hunter, my top hat will go off to them.
Every single costume in the world for Halloween could possibly offend someone. I think, each person chooses the costumes with the respect to their education and religious,cultural beliefs. In my experience, I have never met anyone of any race who has a sense of humor that would be offended by the costumes in this celebration.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, we have freedom of expression in this country, but still people should have some respect to the others - "A little of what you fancy does you good".
I'm not quite sure how I feel about these costumes. On one hand I see them on the side of humor, but I can see where someone could take them too far. Unfortunately when it comes to stereotypes it is hard to decide if it is going too far or if it is funny. It depends on the person and the situation. If someone of a different ethnicity was wearing pale make-up and dressed like a fifties house wife I would think it was funny. Though some of those costumes were really awful. I'm conflicted on this.
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