The trick to Halloween is not being offensive

Image
  • White
    White
Body

The one thing that I remember looking forward to, besides Christmas, was Halloween. The sheer excitement of deciding on a costume, then holding your breath hoping the store still had at least one left. Finally, putting the costume on and running through the neighborhood to get as much candy as possible before my parents called it a night.

That excitement and tradition has been passed to my children, then onto my grandchildren. Seeing their faces as they dress up and trick or treat is immeasurable.

Halloween, the night where ghosts, ghouls, goblins and Native Americans are free to roam without persecution. Wait, what? Not only is Halloween a prime opportunity for children to dress up as witches, warlocks and other fantasy creatures. It is a time for people in general to dress up as other cultures.

Many people find it amusing to dress up as a Native American, an Arab, or even an African American. However, what they don’t take into consideration is the cultures who find this act offensive.

Obviously, when I was a child, I didn’t understand the ramifications of such an act. Even though, I don’t recall ever dressing as another culture. I may be extra sensitive on the subject and find it offensive because of my upbringing.

I am from south Louisiana, and I am part Cajun, part Native American. So, people dressing up as either has always been a touchy subject for me. You might ask how somebody could dress up as a Cajun. Well, if you’ve ever seen “Waterboy” with Adam Sandler in it, that movie makes a big joke out of the culture.

From the way Mama Boucher cooked, to the two farmers that mumbled throughout the movie were glaring negative tropes of Cajuns.

I moved from Louisiana when I was in junior high and continually had to fight the stigma that people from Louisiana are severely poorly educated.

I understand the want to be somebody else for a day, maybe even somebody from a different culture. I also understand that some of the cultures are wondrous with their beautiful beadwork, and attire – like Native American, African, and Spanish – and some of the people are wanting to honor the culture.

However, wearing the costumes just because they are pretty is not honoring anything except the all mighty dollar. There are other ways to honor the cultures besides wearing an offensive costume for one night.

Purchase Native American items from the designers themselves, or just learn about the culture. Above all, stick to dressing like a witch for Halloween.

Shalene White is a staff writer at The Madill Record. She can be reached via phone at 580-795-3355 or email at shalene@madillrecord.net.