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anthimeriaCultural appropriation is always a messy topic, and it's one I think about a lot because as a writer I'm deliberately trying to include people from a number of cultures, races, genders, sexualities, abilities and classes. Our world is diverse and our stories should be, too. But I'm a white girl, and I don't want to hurt anyone or perpetuate white supremacy, so I have to put in a little work and educate myself. It's always worth it to not hurt people. Or at least, do enough to learn how to fail better next time.
What does this have to do with Halloween?
As lotesse reminded me this morning, costumes that make fun of entire groups of people via racist stereotypes are still popular. It's one of the reasons I try to avoid Halloween costume websites and stores--everything there is brought down to the lowest common denominator, and it makes me angry.
Whether it's "sexy nurse" or "white trash" or "gangsta" or "harem girl", these are all harmful stereotypes that not only give the idea that this is The Only Way women are, poor people are, black men are, Muslim women are, but also reinforce the systemic power that gives the reigning ideology the right to mock them.
Ohio University's Students Teaching About Racism in Society has a really neat poster campaign, here. I really like--for a certain value of "like"--the juxtaposed images. Makes things very clear.
So have a Happy Halloween, and if you need last-minute costume suggestions (and how to put them together without giving money to the institutions that sell these costumes), I'm your girl!
What does this have to do with Halloween?
As lotesse reminded me this morning, costumes that make fun of entire groups of people via racist stereotypes are still popular. It's one of the reasons I try to avoid Halloween costume websites and stores--everything there is brought down to the lowest common denominator, and it makes me angry.
Whether it's "sexy nurse" or "white trash" or "gangsta" or "harem girl", these are all harmful stereotypes that not only give the idea that this is The Only Way women are, poor people are, black men are, Muslim women are, but also reinforce the systemic power that gives the reigning ideology the right to mock them.
Ohio University's Students Teaching About Racism in Society has a really neat poster campaign, here. I really like--for a certain value of "like"--the juxtaposed images. Makes things very clear.
So have a Happy Halloween, and if you need last-minute costume suggestions (and how to put them together without giving money to the institutions that sell these costumes), I'm your girl!