Halloween Costumes [View all]

[Coventina]

Hi all,

I just got done reading an article "My Culture is not a Costume" that basically said that dressing as a Native American for Halloween perpetuates violence against Native Americans.

I don't want to question that, as so many atrocities have been committed against the First Nations that I would hesitate to question any feelings they may have on the matter.

But it got me to thinking about the idea of Halloween costumes and cultural appropriation / violence / disrespect.

Can a non-Scottish person wear a kilt?

Should a non-Mexican wear a sombrero?

If I'm not Polynesian, can I wear a grass skirt?

Is dressing as a witch disrespectful to Wiccans?

If I dress as a hobo, am I mocking the poor?

I'm starting to wonder if costumes are, in their very nature, problematic?

Last Halloween I dressed as a Viking maiden.