Creating An Inclusive Halloween: A Treat for All
It’s October… which means Halloween time!!! This beloved holiday is a time to be creative, have fun, and... eat way too many handfuls of candy corn! It’s also a time when cultural appropriation is very present. At Mind, we believe in honoring the backgrounds, cultures, races, religions, and other important factors of children and families. We know that our staff, clients, and community believe in respect and kindness, too.
So what do we do? Let’s start with understanding the term “cultural appropriation.”
Cultural appropriation is taking, “borrowing,” and using aspects of a culture that is not your own without showing an understanding of or respect for that culture and/or crediting the source. Some folks ask, “What exactly is considered culture?” Well, culture can include many aspects of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, and other oppressed groups - from language to art and clothing… and so much more. Please know that not all appreciation is appropriation. A good question to ask yourself is - “Do I have permission to respectfully share space with these cultural experiences and/or activities or use certain cultural elements?” If not, there’s a chance you are engaging in cultural appropriation.
You probably have participated in costume appropriation in the past - many of us have. Rather than getting angry at ourselves or ignoring our behavior… let’s model the ability to learn and change. It’s never too late to make justice-oriented change! And we understand that change can be hard. Like other aspects of white supremacist culture, cultural appropriation has been embedded into the norms of Halloween and accepted as part of the holiday. So what can you do? When it comes time to pick a costume, we can be mindful of what our kids (and ourselves) are portraying and communicating.
A good rule of thumb is - People are not costumes. Dressing as a person or a character who is of a different race, ethnicity, religion, or ability than yourself or your child is harmful, regardless of intention. Sometimes a person wears a costume to show an affinity and respect for a culture, but portraying a stereotype actually diminishes and demeans others’ lives and experiences. Costumes that portray stereotypical tropes about culture are dehumanizing and perpetuate the “othering” of oppressed groups. Characters like Pocahontas are caricatures that reference a history of genocide and colonialism that continues to this day. Many of the props that are used in conjunction with costumes carry spiritual or cultural significance, and their incorrect use of them shows disrespect. Again, we know this reconceptualization and recognition can feel challenging. We also know that our clients and community have handled many challenges and changing ideas in the past and can do it again!
When picking a costume, take a moment to question if it promotes a stereotype of any racial, ethnic, or religious group or persons with disabilities. Taking the time to be mindful of a costume choice can help ensure that Halloween is enjoyable for all! We know our families at Mind want all children to feel safe, valued, and respected! Now, get back to eating all the candy!!!
Authored by Mind Chicago therapist, Niki Aquino, LCSW
