Halloween is just around the corner! While Halloween is one of the most fun and exciting holidays for college students, it is also notorious for featuring culturally insensitive costumes. Here are some tips to keep in mind while planning your costume(s):
- Is my costume funny? Is the humor based on making fun of real people, human traits or cultures?
- Does my costume represent a culture that is not my own?
- Does my costume reduce cultural difference to jokes or stereotypes?
- Does my costume perpetuate stereotypes, misinformation, or historical and cultural inaccuracies?
Avoid any costume based on the cultures of others, no matter how funny or humorous you think it might be. Have a fun and safe Halloween! For more information about cultural appropriation, visit urespect.umich.edu.
Contributed by Kidada Malloy