MY CULTURE IS NOT A COSTUME
"MY CULTURE IS NOT MY COSTUME"
Culture is one of the main problems in our society today. Many Halloween store accessories that are part of a cultural design for a fashion choice.
It's time to change the conversation around cultural appropriation. The term has been reduced to mere internet outrage and dismissed as a tool devised by the "fun police" to keep people from enjoying Halloween. But the reality is cultural appropriation is a stain on American history. It's the manifestation of one of the earliest, most enduring racist ideas: the belief that people who belong to marginalized cultures are somehow less than human. Once you've dehumanized someone, you can co-opt their culture with ease; their language, dress, and customs aren't worthy of the respect you reserve for your own. On top of centuries of oppression, marginalized groups must now contend with people mocking their identity, right in front of their faces. And when they speak up, critics rush to attack and silence them.
“You wear the costume for one night, I wear the stigma for life,” is the main quote for the 2013 “We’re a culture, not a costume” poster campaign, created by Students Teaching About Racism in Society.
Exploiting people of colour’s culture by wearing their “costumes” signifies the theft and disrespect of that person’s traditions and struggles. Dressing up as a stereotype on Halloween only to discard it the next day once its novelty has expired is an injustice that affects people of colour.
Culture is one of the main problems in our society today. Many Halloween store accessories that are part of a cultural design for a fashion choice.
There are many "offensive costumes on the internet. Many people use the costumes to either mock the culture or use a costume that doesn't relate to their own culture.
They think it is okay to dress up a different race. Examples of this are all over costume stores such as party city, Walmart, and even a local store you live next too. Many people don't think it's "racist" or "offensive" but a lot of people's culture those. People who respect other people's culture doesn't need to dress up to be one of them, but learn about it and respect it!
It's time to change the conversation around cultural appropriation. The term has been reduced to mere internet outrage and dismissed as a tool devised by the "fun police" to keep people from enjoying Halloween. But the reality is cultural appropriation is a stain on American history. It's the manifestation of one of the earliest, most enduring racist ideas: the belief that people who belong to marginalized cultures are somehow less than human. Once you've dehumanized someone, you can co-opt their culture with ease; their language, dress, and customs aren't worthy of the respect you reserve for your own. On top of centuries of oppression, marginalized groups must now contend with people mocking their identity, right in front of their faces. And when they speak up, critics rush to attack and silence them.
Comments
Post a Comment