To avoid appropriating a culture, it is important to understand what the term culture appropriation means and its impact.
Autumn is the season of jack-o-lanterns, puffy vests, L.L. Bean boots, pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween. It’s also the peak time for cultural appropriation, a sociological concept which views the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture as negative.
The poor view of the concept comes from members of a different culture using parts of another without respect or in an offensive manner, such as in the form of a Halloween costume.
People wear sombreros and throw on ponchos, then go out and say that they’re supposed to be “a Mexican,” while shaking maracas (probably off-beat). And that masculine Native American costume you have hanging in your closet for HallOUween, the one that shows off your biceps? Not so hot to an American Indian who has to deal with the repercussions of his, her or their cultures being thrown about as costumes.
The common costume, the Native American headdress, is highly sacred and reserved only to those who have earned the right to wear it. In an MTV article, Cliff Matias, the director of Redhawk Native American Arts Council, described how the headdress is similar to the pope’s papal tiara. If it is being used as a Halloween costume, then the Catholic religion is being highly disrespected. Nonetheless, it is the headdress, not the papal tiara, commonly seen at music festivals and on Halloween, without any thought by the wearer of whether it’s offensive.
In most instances, cultural appropriation perpetuates stereotypes and stigmas, which introduces racist attitudes and actions. In response to Miley Cyrus’ appropriation, in a Time interview, Nicki Minaj summed up the difference between the concept and its opposite as cultural appreciation.
“You can’t want the good without the bad,” she said. “If you want to enjoy our culture and our lifestyle, bond with us, dance with us, have fun with us, twerk with us, rap with us, then you should also want to know what affects us, what is bothering us, what we feel is unfair to us.”
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It is completely possible to use elements from another culture if it is not your own, as long as there is respect, appreciation and understanding. Things go toward the negative side when people flaunt blackface and pretend to be Jay Z or Kanye West for Halloween. Another exceptionally bad Halloween costume is when someone wears the attire of Romanis and try calling the outfit by the derogatory term, gypsy. Comprehension is vital when it comes to cultural appreciation. One misunderstanding and it’s instantly either appropriation and/or offensive.
Sadly, this concept is not only present on Halloween; it is a daily issue that needs resolving. Some tips for that would be to change up what you think is an appropriate Halloween costume and look into what a Bindi is before treating it like a boho trend, or wearing it at Bonnaroo or some other music festival.
For this year’s HallOUween, get creative. Last year my friend was a Chipotle burrito, and this year we’re going as Netflix and chill. The Internet is truly a beautiful creation. A simple search can bring up a list of costumes or explain why one may be deemed offensive.
More importantly, remember that someone’s culture is not a costume. It is not something that is only worn once or twice a year, but it’s a lifelong way of living between a group of people. The behaviors, beliefs, values and symbols they cherish and respect are not trends to come in and out of season.
Elizabeth Chidlow is a sophomore studying journalism. What Halloween costumes do you find offensive? Email her at ec629914@ohio.edu.
