Halloween Costumes that are banned in schools

[Sage Ninja]

these are the 8 Halloween costumes that are banned from certain schools across the country.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/whats-hot/8-halloween-costumes-that-have-been-banned-by-schools/ar-AAfogg9?li=AAa0dzB&ocid=iehp#page=1

1. JESUS CHRIST

2. SUPERHEROES

3. GEISHAS, SQUAWS, AND COWBOYS

4. SOMBREROS

5. TRENCH COATS

6. CROSS-DRESSING

7. SEXY NURSE

8. ANYTHING WITH A WEAPON


Reasons for no Jesus Christ:

In 2013, a student at Highland Park High School in Illinois was made to remove his Jesus costume because the school said it was “offensive” and that he was “promoting religion.” The senior told the press that he wore the costume because Jesus was the “most influential person” in his life, but the school upheld their policy against costumes that could be offensive to someone’s religion, culture, gender, heritage, or sexual orientation.

reason for no super heroes:

The Halloween staples were thought to be too scary for some children, so administrators at an unidentified school sent a letter to parents ahead of the holiday. Written in Comic Sans, the notice, which was shared on reddit in 2014, states that superheroes including (but not limited to) Wolverine, Batman, Superman, the Power Rangers, and “any of the Fantastic 4” are not allowed, and neither are witches, ghosts, or any other costume that would be “scary to a small child.”

reasons for no GEISHAS, SQUAWS, AND COWBOYS:

In 2013, the Dean at the University of Colorado Boulder issued a memo to the student body asking them to “consider the impact [their] costume decision may have on others in the CU community.” Featured on the list of frowned-upon Halloween garb were “costumes that portray particular cultural identities as overly sexualized, such as geishas, 'squaws,' or stereotypical, such as cowboys and Indians.” The memo also asked that students not host parties whose themes could be considered offensive, like “ghetto” or “white trash/hillbilly.”

reasons for no sombreros:

The Guild of Students at the University of Birmingham in Alabama stopped its peers from participating in what it called “discriminatory behavior” by banning certain costumes at events, including sombreros and ponchos that some students wore to dress like “Mexicans.”

reasons for no trench coats:

In 1999, parents in Littleton, Colo. and other towns in America convinced schools to ban trench coats and all-black clothing year-round because the goth fashion was too closely associated with the students responsible for the Columbine High School shooting. “School administrators started considering these groups to be gangs and harassment of students was rampant with unwarranted backpack searches, detainment in the hallways by security guards, and being called into the administrative offices for questioning,” student Jennifer Muzquiz told CNN at the time


reasons for no cross-dressing:

According to reports, an Eastchester, N.Y. school once banned cross-dressing to “stop students from mocking gay, bisexual and transgendered students as a costume prank.” In 2014, an advocacy group objected to the ban but the superintendent, Walter Moran, stood behind the decision. “Any student has the absolute right to cross-dress any day or days, and the school respects that student's personal decision,” read a statement by Moran. “In an effort to respect the race, religion and gender of our students, we believe that Halloween costumes should not make light of this.”


reasons for no sexy nurse:

At Quinnipiac University, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer said that insensitive costumes, including “blackface, or as a Mexican, hooker, gangster or promiscuous nurse,” were just as offensive as “writing the ‘N-word’ on a blackboard or a chalkboard or a whiteboard in the dorms or in the residence halls.”

reasons for no weapons:

An elementary school in New Jersey wanted to compromise with parents and their children in 2007, so they allowed some costumes to be worn without the accessories. The New York Times reported that throughout the school there were gun-less cowboys, sword less pirates, and devils without pitchforks. “When you consider all the horrific things that have happened in recent years, including 9/11,” said a teacher at the school, “I can’t blame any school for wanting to steer away from anything that might promote violence.”


so there you have it. I'm mixed on this, some of these like no sexy nurse, or trench coat wearing, or no weapons with costumes I can under stand. The sexy nurse, though fun is not very appropriate for school, and the trench coats can come off like "a gang" and some kids might be dumb ass enough to bring in a real weapons to make their costume more authentic, but the others I think are little much.

Though the Jesus Christ and cross dressing costume ban might could come across as making fun of transgender and Christians for students who want to use the opportunity to be assholes behind the guise of "Halloween." (Does this mean dressing up like an angel is banned too since it is related to religion)?

Also what does the school do with the students who dress transgender all year round? Will they make them wear clothes that denies their gender identity so as not to appear insensitive to the very life style they live? How about students who dress up like a character that is the opposite sex as them, will little Susie be made to take off her pirate customer because it's a boy pirate with a goatee? Maybe she should be girl pirate, but wait she looks like a serving wench now and not a real pirate and that's too sexual--send the little up start home!

I used to love to dress like an native American and angel as a kid, I think it is sad kids can't do this any more in some schools. I can kinda under stand not wanting to promote negative stereotypes about Native Americans by why not use this opportunity to educate kids about what I real native American looked and acted like rather than banning it?

Everything else--psssshhhhh! Come on people...all kids love dressing up as super heroes, geishas, ninjas, cowboys, ghosts and witches...why rob them of that? It's sucking the essence out of Halloween. And don't get me started on why sombreros being banned is ****ed up and stupid... Is every kid just going to dress up like Disney Princesses and Disney heroes?

[BubblyShell22]

Some of this I understand like the sexy nurse and the Jesus stuff since it's separation of church and state. But some of this other stuff is f*cked up. Gotta love political correctness, right? So dumb. This is why I hate PC idiots. They need to grow up and get a life.

[TigerClaw]

Wait a second, superheroes are too scary for some children? I thought superheroes aren't supposed to be scary.

[senpai]

Wait a second, schools get to dress up for Halloween?! Man... I'm jealous. I never got that xD

[plastroncafe]

Someone else's culture shouldn't be a costume.
It's really that simple.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

So- no Ninja Turtles then, huh? It's someone's culture, right? And it has "weapons". Yeesh, that just ridiculous no matter HOW you slice it. Or what about dressing as cowboys? Anyone here think real cowboys are gonna' gripe about how they're being stereotyped? Kinda' doubt it. Or real-life superheroes? Yes, that is a thing, BTW. Why would anyone care if a kid dresses a a witch? I AM a witch, and I LOVE it when people dress up as one, because no matter how outlandish or even stereotypical it might seem, it's all just FOR FUN! :trolleye:

[BubblyShell22]

I agree that it's out of hand but that's what PC is all about. It's just a bunch of idiots with their heads stuck up their a**es who have to gripe and moan about stupid things. So what if someone dresses like a geisha, a ninja, or a samurai? What if the person wearing the Mexican costume is actually of Mexican heritage and is paying tribute to their culture? I see nothing wrong with that at all. But again, PC liberals have to f*ck with everyone's fun. This is why I hate America. Nobody can have fun and just relax anymore.

[Refractive Reflections]

In order to satisfy today's culture of increasing political correctness, it's better to ban Halloween altogether since everyone, in theory, will be culturally appropriating another's culture/subculture by wearing a costume. This is exactly what our heteronomous--- I mean, "autonomous" society needs in regards to self-expression.

[BubblyShell22]

Someone else's culture shouldn't be a costume.
It's really that simple.

Wow. So, I guess someone who dresses as a Ninja Turtle is insulting the Japanese culture by dressing like them. People should be allowed to dress as they please within reason. If people get offended by it, then it just shows how dumb and moronic they are and that they need to get a life and live a little. Not everything has to be offensive as long as people learn to just relax. But again, this is America and their moronic PC agenda.

RR, I agree. Nobody can have fun anymore, and it's sad.

[Mew]

I guess I wont be Mr. Taco this year. :P

[plastroncafe]

Thanks to Chrome and this (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pc2respect/mgkjmkalaomdhdldmfbgpjdpmpdnhiio) add-on, this thread just got a whole lot more pleasant.

:D

[BubblyShell22]

I guess I wont be Mr. Taco this year. :P

Mew, you can dress as whatever you please. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

[Candy Kappa]

I agree that it's out of hand but that's what PC is all about. It's just a bunch of idiots with their heads stuck up their a**es who have to gripe and moan about stupid things. So what if someone dresses like a geisha, a ninja, or a samurai? What if the person wearing the Mexican costume is actually of Mexican heritage and is paying tribute to their culture? I see nothing wrong with that at all. But again, PC liberals have to f*ck with everyone's fun. This is why I hate America. Nobody can have fun and just relax anymore.

frX69E9pkf8

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Someone else's culture shouldn't be a costume.
It's really that simple.

So are you also against "American" as a possible costume? Something tacky plastered in American flags and eagles and crap? With loud pimp sunglasses, Apple products hanging off every possible belt loop, and some kick-ass flipflops? Or is it only other countries that can't have a little fun poked at 'em?

For example...

http://theoatmeal.com/pl/minor_differences4/accents

And who says it's offensive to dress up as another culture? If my sister wants to wear a sari or a cheongsam, is that offensive? If I want to dress up as a samurai or a Viking, is that offensive?

Sadly, it's really not as simple as "Someone else's culture shouldn't be a costume."

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

For the record:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume

Says nothing about costumes being intended to disrespect or respect; they're just a thing.

[plastroncafe]

So are you also against "American" as a possible costume? Something tacky plastered in American flags and eagles and crap? With loud pimp sunglasses, Apple products hanging off every possible belt loop, and some kick-ass flipflops? Or is it only other countries that can't have a little fun poked at 'em?

For example...

http://theoatmeal.com/pl/minor_differences4/accents

And who says it's offensive to dress up as another culture? If my sister wants to wear a sari or a cheongsam, is that offensive? If I want to dress up as a samurai or a Viking, is that offensive?

Sadly, it's really not as simple as "Someone else's culture shouldn't be a costume."

No it really is.
And your attempt at a slippery slope fallacy doesn't change that fact.

As to answer your questions: Yes, all of those things could be construed as offensive, depending on the audience.
Even Bubbly says that some costumes are wrong, provided they fall outside of her nebulous 'within reason' limitations.

And honestly, no one should ever wear the American Flag.
The only time it's appropriate to drape an American Flag on anything is when it's displayed over the casket of someone who died in service to the country.

[Mew]

Mew, you can dress as whatever you please. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
http://ih0.redbubble.net/image.10901946.7422/flat,800x800,075,f.jpg

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

No it really is.
And your attempt at a slippery slope fallacy doesn't change that fact.

As to answer your questions: Yes, all of those things could be construed as offensive, depending on the audience.
Even Bubbly says that some costumes are wrong, provided they fall outside of her nebulous 'within reason' limitations.

And honestly, no one should ever wear the American Flag.
The only time it's appropriate to drape an American Flag on anything is when it's displayed over the casket of someone who died in service to the country.

I never said all costumes are fine. I took issue with your blanket statement that someone else's culture shouldn't be a costume.

If you don't like those examples, then how about this:

A hypothetical movie is in production to tell a story about the Anglo-Zulu War (the British Empire's war with the African Zulu Kingdom). It's going to be period-accurate, which means the actors and actresses playing British roles will be wearing British costumes, and the actors and actresses playing Zulu roles will be wearing South African costumes.

By your blanket statement, this movie should not be made.

Or, should Duckie be offended at sexy witch costumes? It's her right to be. Should there be a ban to enforce absolutely no witch costumes, sexy, green-faced, or whatever? Eh, probably not.

[plastroncafe]

I never said all costumes are fine. I took issue with your blanket statement that someone else's culture shouldn't be a costume.

If you don't like those examples, then how about this:

A hypothetical movie is in production to tell a story about the Anglo-Zulu War (the British Empire's war with the African Zulu Kingdom). It's going to be period-accurate, which means the actors and actresses playing British roles will be wearing British costumes, and the actors and actresses playing Zulu roles will be wearing South African costumes.

By your blanket statement, this movie should not be made.

Or, should Duckie be offended at sexy witch costumes? It's her right to be. Should there be a ban to enforce absolutely no witch costumes, sexy, green-faced, or whatever? Eh, probably not.

It's not my place to tell people they can/can't be offended by something. If she's offended by Sexy Witch costumes...then she's offended by Sexy Witch costumes.

I know quite a few other Pagans who are less than pleased with the popular culture's preconceived notion of what a witch is. I also know more than a couple of Jewish folk who take issue with the trope as well.

And being from Mass...well, I have opinions on the matter also, seeing as my home state has a history of drowning, burning, and pressing people to death because people accused them of witchcraft.

Don't even get me started on the whole Sexy [Place person/place/thing] here...

As for your willfully obtuse strawman:
Who's making the movie?
Who's starring in the movie?
Will there be someone there to represent both the British and Zulu interests involved?

Or will this be like Adam Sandler's movie, where the Native American actors were so insulted that they left the set?
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/23/entertainment/adam-sandler-movie-ridiculous-six-feat/

Nicki Minaj said it best:
"Come on, you can’t want the good without the bad. If you want to enjoy our culture and our lifestyle, bond with us, dance with us, have fun with us, twerk with us, rap with us, then you should also want to know what affects us, what is bothering us, what we feel is unfair to us. You shouldn’t not want to know that.’’

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

As for your willfully obtuse strawman:
Who's making the movie?
Who's starring in the movie?
Will there be someone there to represent both the British and Zulu interests involved?

Or will this be like Adam Sandler's movie, where the Native American actors were so insulted that they left the set?
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/23/entertainment/adam-sandler-movie-ridiculous-six-feat/

Nicki Minaj said it best:

Sorry, but I don't think my example was stupid or unintelligent, willfully or not. I also find it interesting that I have to provide those kinds of details, but you can use your blanket statement.

Rest assured, however, I would never use Adam Sandler in an example. Pretending he doesn't exist and is just a glitch in the Matrix is the best possible way of addressing his career.

That's a fascinating article, however, sincere thanks! Wow... I'll add it to the list of reasons I don't watch his stuff.

And... you are trolling me, right? How else could you introduce a Nicki Minaj quote into this talk? That's taking the Karaoke of Ideas to a whole new level... Let me then retort:

I am politically incorrect, that's true. Political correctness to me is just intellectual terrorism. I find that really scary, and I won't be intimidated into changing my mind. Everyone isn't going to love you all the time.
Mel Gibson

One pop media idiot's words for another.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx8siugG440

[plastroncafe]

Again...this whole conversation is way more comfortable with that Chrome App on. Why yes, Mel Gibson, to you being respectful of people IS intellectual terrorism.

Where as Nicki was directly addressing a very real problem in popular music today...the cultural appropriation of black culture by white popstars.
Not that there hasn't been a long history of that in American music to begin with...
Yeah, I'm looking at you, Elvis.

I do, however, really relish the counter-quote from Gibson when presented with one from Nicki Minaj. There's just something so...tumblr about it.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Again...this whole conversation is way more comfortable with that Chrome App on. Why yes, Mel Gibson, to you being respectful of people IS intellectual terrorism.

Where as Nicki was directly addressing a very real problem in popular music today...the cultural appropriation of black culture by white popstars.
Not that there hasn't been a long history of that in American music to begin with...
Yeah, I'm looking at you, Elvis.

I do, however, really relish the counter-quote from Gibson when presented with one from Nicki Minaj. There's just something so...tumblr about it.

Well, we seem to have tiptoed away from blanket statements.

[Candy Kappa]

There's also a huge difference between doing your research and get a costume that properly reflects what you're dressing up as compared to buying a racial caricature dollar store costume.

like every idiot that have horned helmets for their viking costume :roll:

[plastroncafe]

Well, we seem to have tiptoed away from blanket statements.

Not really.
I still hold to that blanket statement.
But you've wandered us away from Halloween Costumes to entertainment et al...and I followed.

Would you like to move the goal post further?

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

There's also a huge difference between doing your research and get a costume that properly reflects what you're dressing up as compared to buying a racial caricature dollar store costume.

like every idiot that have horned helmets for their viking costume :roll:

Scratch Hagar the Horrible off my list of costume ideas. :tlol:

Not really.
I still hold to that blanket statement.
But you've wandered us away from Halloween Costumes to entertainment et al...and I followed.

Would you like to move the goal post further?

Nope, I've said what I had to say. Go ahead and hold to your statements, as I shall hold to mine. My goal is not to change minds or beliefs, simply to call out fallacy and error as I see it. Until next time!

[AT-Man]

Here are some brilliant ideas for costumes.

ot5TgvvOYdA

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I never said all costumes are fine. I took issue with your blanket statement that someone else's culture shouldn't be a costume.

If you don't like those examples, then how about this:

A hypothetical movie is in production to tell a story about the Anglo-Zulu War (the British Empire's war with the African Zulu Kingdom). It's going to be period-accurate, which means the actors and actresses playing British roles will be wearing British costumes, and the actors and actresses playing Zulu roles will be wearing South African costumes.

By your blanket statement, this movie should not be made.

Or, should Duckie be offended at sexy witch costumes? It's her right to be. Should there be a ban to enforce absolutely no witch costumes, sexy, green-faced, or whatever? Eh, probably not.


CKD, you are my new favorite person of the day! You know, I COULD be offended by "sexy witch", "scary witch", ""pretty witch" (for little girls), or any variation of "colorful witch" you care to dress as, but I'm NOT. Because like MOST actual witches, I recognize that it's all in fun, and that it's not meant to be taken as the real thing. Because it's OUR holiday, after all! What better way to promote "the cause" than to have everyone celebrate it with parties, food, and scary movies! Funny how that works, isn't it?


It's not my place to tell people they can/can't be offended by something. If she's offended by Sexy Witch costumes...then she's offended by Sexy Witch costumes.

I know quite a few other Pagans who are less than pleased with the popular culture's preconceived notion of what a witch is. I also know more than a couple of Jewish folk who take issue with the trope as well.

And being from Mass...well, I have opinions on the matter also, seeing as my home state has a history of drowning, burning, and pressing people to death because people accused them of witchcraft.

Don't even get me started on the whole Sexy [Place person/place/thing] here...



And yet, there are hundreds of us who actually OWN it, and walk out of that broom closet loud and proud every year come Samhain. And sexy witch? Why thank you! Usually only my hubby gets to call me that, but for one night of the year, I'm more than happy to let others join in, LOL!

Two hundred years ago, I'd have probably been right up there on the gallows with the likes of Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, and others who were accused and hanged, stoned, burned, etc. Yet now we have kids running door to door on OUR night, asking for candy and WANTING to be scared and/or thrilled! Is it any wonder I'm not offended? It's the best advertisement we could ask for! And it's meant to be fun for EVERYONE. It's the one night when everyone dresses up, and boldly faces what scares us. I think that's a good message to spread, that the things that go bump in the night are far less frightening than the disgustingly PC world we live in today, where we can't even enjoy our own holidays without fear of offending someone. That goes for ALL holidays, BTW. Christmas, Halloween, Chanukah, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc.... Get the picture?

[ProactiveMan]

Let me preface this by stating that it's hard for me to identify with people who feel strongly connected to, or protective of a culture. Other Australians may disagree, but I don't think there is a definable Australian culture, and I'm too many generations in to know much about my ancestry.

So...

The problem with Minaj's position is that she is commercially exploiting the culture she wants to protect, and once something has entered into the pop culture sphere, it's a big ask to demand sovereignty.

Halloween costumes on the other hand, are supposed to be for fun, so I guess if people are upset about something that is important to them being goofed on, it stops being enjoyable, so then what's the point? Dress as the Wolf Man instead.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

But therein lies the problem. When we start banning certain costumes, or saying what is and isn't acceptable or allowed, it just stop being fun AT ALL. Not to mention, what if the real vampires (porpheric anemia is a real disease, folks, and yes, it is the basis for fictional vampirism) or "werewolves" (Native shamanic skin-walkers, or those with the "lycanthrope" disease) get offended? What then? Do we ban dressing as ghosts or zombies for fear of offending the dead? (Actually, the holiday's original purpose was to banish or scare away malign spirits, so that's actually not too far off, LOL!) Heck, even Jack-O-Lanterns were originally meant to represent severed heads to scare away evil spirits! Does that mean we can't even dress as a pumpkin or Jack-O-Lantern? What about fairies? Will we start banning those costumes for fear of offending (and inviting the ire of) the "fair folk"? See how ridiculous it is?

[Leo656]

Holy sh*t. This place.

By some people's logic I should apparently waist tackle and maul anyone dressed like a comical Leprechaun, for sh*tting on my heritage.

I think I'll just let it ride. Halloween's a f*cking goof. If I can endure the ridiculous but harmless farce that is St. Patrick's Day, I think the world can survive everyone dressing up and being goofy for one whole day. It's for kids and overgrown kids, 99% of which don't mean any harm and are just f*cking around. Jeez.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Holy crap! I almost forgot the Little People! Thanks for reminding me, Leo, LOL! I'm pretty sure I've got a leprechaun or two in my family tree somewhere- it's the only way to explain why we're all so gosh-darned short! But like you, I'm not gonna sh*t on anyone's St. Patty's Day parade. Because that's just selfish and rude. Besides, as a certain pair of brothers once said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuqoVHIt0qk

[Powder]

The only costume that offends me is this:

http://cdn1-www.comingsoon.net/assets/uploads/2014/01/file_113871_0_TMNT-mike.jpg

Everything else is fair game.

[Leo656]

St. Patrick's Day is probably among the most offensive things any person of Irish descent can endure, frankly. Shockingly, most of us plain don't give a sh*t. Let the rubes have their fun, they ain't hurtin' anybody. Well, aside from their own livers, but that's their personal business, if they wanna paint themselves green and try to hang in a league they clearly have no business being in.

It's not an attack, though, it's just people being goofy and having fun. Halloween's the same thing.

I agree with Powder, though. THAT is highly offensive to all five senses.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Well, Leo, there's always Cinco De Mayo! Imagine how the Latinos feel.... (Which is weird, because it's more celebrated here than in Mexico....)

[plastroncafe]

I side with Dan Savage on this:
Halloween : Straight People :: Pride : the LGBT community.
It's a time to let your freak flag fly.

Respecting others has never put a hamper on my enjoyment of the holiday.

[Shiro Kame]

I find the super heroes and cowboy bans stupid. What are they suppose to dress up as? Business men?

[BubblyShell22]

No it really is.
And your attempt at a slippery slope fallacy doesn't change that fact.

As to answer your questions: Yes, all of those things could be construed as offensive, depending on the audience.
Even Bubbly says that some costumes are wrong, provided they fall outside of her nebulous 'within reason' limitations.

And honestly, no one should ever wear the American Flag.
The only time it's appropriate to drape an American Flag on anything is when it's displayed over the casket of someone who died in service to the country.

I only said that the sexy nurse costume isn't appropriate for a school setting since that's what this discussion was originally about. But if anyone else wants to wear a sexy costume as a mature adult, I say let them do it. People just take offense because they can't lighten up about it. They need to get over themselves and grow the f*ck up.

And it's hilarious that you put up a Nicki Minaj quote when she's the one flaunting her huge a** and is proud of it in that Anaconda video. So, I'm sorry, but I don't buy her B.S. People need to lighten the hell up and get over it. If someone wants to dress as a gangster, they have every right to if they like gangster movies. If someone wants to be black for a day, they can do it if they want to. I'm so tired of PC liberals telling us what to do and how to act.

And I agree with your sentiment, Duckie, about other holidays. I may be atheist, but I don't care if someone wishes me a Merry Christmas. I just say, "Thanks" or "You too" and leave it at that, even if I do feel a little awkward about it.

This is what's wrong with America. Nobody can have fun or do anything. People who get offended can f*ck themselves. I don't care if I offend anybody anymore. I'll say what I want and do what I want.

And I agree that the movie TMNT costume is offensive as hell, but that whole movie franchise is offensive to TMNT.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I used to love to dress like an native American and angel as a kid, I think it is sad kids can't do this any more in some schools. I can kinda under stand not wanting to promote negative stereotypes about Native Americans by why not use this opportunity to educate kids about what I real native American looked and acted like rather than banning it?



Isn't Halloween supposted to look scary? I don't consider Jesus, angels, superheroes or cowboys (unless I'dd been a Native American around circa 1830, but it was usually the US Army who killed them) looking scary!

Cowboys (and cowgirls) are part of the history of the USA! I used to like Lucky Luke as a kid, and at the end of the comics there was a small text that you could learn anything of 19th century USA history!

I can understand some extrme things (like if someone dressed like Adolf Hitler) but people always take this to extrme point too.

[BubblyShell22]

I thought it was hilarious when Eric Cartman dressed up as Hitler. I can see why some people would be offended by it, but they need to get over themselves and the past. No different than someone dressing up as Stalin or dressing up as one of the Presidents of our country. Should Obama be offended if someone dresses up like him? No, he should feel honored that someone would want to dress up like him.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I thought it was hilarious when Eric Cartman dressed up as Hitler. I can see why some people would be offended by it, but they need to get over themselves and the past. No different than someone dressing up as Stalin or dressing up as one of the Presidents of our country. Should Obama be offended if someone dresses up like him? No, he should feel honored that someone would want to dress up like him.

I recall some UK prince dressing up as a Nazi for a party (a social party, not NSDAP) :) once many years ago.

Actually, I would see most dictators of the 20th century (or maybe second half 19th century) being extreme. Don't care for kings and queens commanding wars in old days (like 17th-18th century) since no people from that time is still alive.

[Etsyturtle2]

It's funny they're banning Native American costumes when In kindergarten they made us wear paper bags with paper feathers and crayon zig zags while learning about "Indians".

[BubblyShell22]

In my kindergarten class, we dressed up as Pilgrims and had our own Thanksgiving feast. And there was one class in first grade who did a play about Thanksgiving and had kids who portrayed the Indians there. No one cooked up a fuss then. But again, people have to be stupid. This is America and that's the way our country is now. We're supposed to be free to do as we please, but that's not the case anymore with people kicking up a fuss about the dumbest sh*t.

[Guitar_Raph]

Sure, all these are for safety issues. I don't think of October 31 as Halloween, but of Nevada's statehood day (became our 36th state in 1864).

The Grinch & Scrooge stings Christmas & now Halloween. What's next, Thanksgiving?

[Leo656]

Isn't Halloween supposted to look scary?

That's kind of the original tradition but the "rules" have long since been relaxed. Now it's just a "dress up and goof around" day. It's just supposed to be goofy and whimsical, really. It's generally looked at as a "scary"-themed holiday but mostly that's just ornamental anymore.

I honestly don't remember ever actually going as anything horror-themed. My wife and I were The Misfits one year, but otherwise not really. The earliest thing I can remember dressing as was He-Man when I was about 3. Since then I was Superman a couple times, Batman, Billy the Kid, a Ghostbuster a couple times, I was Hollywood Hogan a couple times, and Lobo I think only once. Not in any order, those are just the ones I remember.

I haven't really been as active in it since I've "grown up", not like when I was a kid. I was one of those kids who'd start planning next year's costume on Nov. 1. Now I'm like "Eh, it's whatever". My wife's way more into it though so she keeps us semi-active in it. She usually dresses up like Slash, King Diamond or Alice Cooper. :lol: That's been her gimmick since she was a kid, it's adorable.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I dressed up as a vampire hooker once in high-school. And nobody batted an eye. Now it's come to this. Some years I dress as (*gasp*) a witch, a zombie, or a gothic fairy. This year, I'm going to be Mikey from TMNT. Yes, I'm dressing as a turtle. I've been a fairy, a princess, a cat, among others when I was little.

[BubblyShell22]

I was a fairy, a witch, a cat, and my last costume was Nala from The Lion King since I was obsessed with the movie. That year it was pouring rain and so we didn't do a lot of hunting for candy because we got soaked. That was the last year we did it and it was just my bro and me. My brother was a ninja one year and my sis was Mary from Little House on the Prairie.

[Refractive Reflections]

And I agree that the movie TMNT costume is offensive as hell, but that whole movie franchise is offensive to TMNT.

That costume should be banned too right? ...I mean in this fandom-driven society nowadays, I'm sure there are a few who find it more offensive (since they identify more with that) than someone disrespecting their heritage/culture.

...As I was saying earlier, wearing a costume for Halloween is, by today's terminology and standards, is some form of cultural appropriation because someone is wearing a style of clothes/tradition that's outside of the garment's traditional use, or using it in a whimsical/humorous context.

Then again, in this multicultural nation (USA) an individual needs to ask themselves who do they identify with? ...I mean can anyone truly say they 100% identify and relate to one particular culture/subculture?



frX69E9pkf8

It's amazing how culturally one-sided some of those statements in the video are. Such as the one woman on 1:39 saying "You're not dressing up as a Viking or a Roman, those people aren't around anymore, and this is still very real to us..."
-----They may not be wearing the same clothes as their ancestors and the geographic nationalities have changed, but I'm pretty sure they still value and take pride in some of the customs and traditions of their ancestors. ...Wait a minute... that sounds familiar to what the video was just presenting...right?

[plastroncafe]

I think there's a very strong historical context that you're not addressing here:
The United States government did not sanction the extermination of the Vikings or the Romans.

I can't speak to the Vikings, but it's my understanding that the Romans of Classical Antiquity no longer exist, and it's very reason that Carolus Linnaeus used Latin for the binomial nomenclature that we still employ in biology to catalog living things.

Even the Catholic Church seldom uses Latin in their rituals.

[Candy Kappa]

No one goes Viking* anymore in Scandinavia and the Norse customs are either completely absorbed into Christianity and gotten a new coat of Christ-paint or is a relic of the Olden times the average layman wouldn't know the origins about, like there is no social construct to use Laurdag (Saturday) to bathe on, as it was the weekly bathing day.

Comparing Vikings to Native Americans are like Apples and Oranges

*Viking was a "profession" and a act (laying in wait in a bay to commandeer ships)

[BubblyShell22]

RR, I was joking about that TMNT costume though I still stand by the fact that the movie itself is offensive to TMNT history.

Honestly, I don't get what the big deal is. Halloween is all about having fun. If someone wants to dress up as an Indian with a headdress and all, why not? What's wrong with that? It's the same sort of PC bullsh*t that happens with football mascots and getting them banned because someone has a hair up their a** about it instead of just letting it go.

[shuriken]

That's kind of the original tradition but the "rules" have long since been relaxed. Now it's just a "dress up and goof around" day. It's just supposed to be goofy and whimsical, really. It's generally looked at as a "scary"-themed holiday but mostly that's just ornamental anymore.

I honestly don't remember ever actually going as anything horror-themed. My wife and I were The Misfits one year, but otherwise not really. The earliest thing I can remember dressing as was He-Man when I was about 3. Since then I was Superman a couple times, Batman, Billy the Kid, a Ghostbuster a couple times, I was Hollywood Hogan a couple times, and Lobo I think only once. Not in any order, those are just the ones I remember.

I haven't really been as active in it since I've "grown up", not like when I was a kid. I was one of those kids who'd start planning next year's costume on Nov. 1. Now I'm like "Eh, it's whatever". My wife's way more into it though so she keeps us semi-active in it. She usually dresses up like Slash, King Diamond or Alice Cooper. :lol: That's been her gimmick since she was a kid, it's adorable.
Yeah most of my costumes have been comic related. With Only generic Zombie and Frankenstein being the only "horror" themed costumes I've used.

[Refractive Reflections]

I think there's a very strong historical context that you're not addressing here:
The United States government did not sanction the extermination of the Vikings or the Romans.

I can't speak to the Vikings, but it's my understanding that the Romans of Classical Antiquity no longer exist, and it's very reason that Carolus Linnaeus used Latin for the binomial nomenclature that we still employ in biology to catalog living things.

Even the Catholic Church seldom uses Latin in their rituals.

...But even though Romans in the classical antiquity sense don't exist, wouldn't the culture still be a source of pride for those in the region because of its contribution to Western culture in general? :ohwell:

No one goes Viking* anymore in Scandinavia and the Norse customs are either completely absorbed into Christianity and gotten a new coat of Christ-paint or is a relic of the Olden times the average layman wouldn't know the origins about, like there is no social construct to use Laurdag (Saturday) to bathe on, as it was the weekly bathing day.

Comparing Vikings to Native Americans are like Apples and Oranges

*Viking was a "profession" and a act (laying in wait in a bay to commandeer ships)

Even though it was a profession, isn't it still somewhat offensive to make a caricature of that profession through a costume (seen as the "smelly barbarian") to represent Scandinavian culture though? :ohwell:

RR, I was joking about that TMNT costume though I still stand by the fact that the movie itself is offensive to TMNT history.

Honestly, I don't get what the big deal is. Halloween is all about having fun. If someone wants to dress up as an Indian with a headdress and all, why not? What's wrong with that? It's the same sort of PC bullsh*t that happens with football mascots and getting them banned because someone has a hair up their a** about it instead of just letting it go.

That response about the TMNT costume had sarcasm... :P
I guess my underlying argument that I was trying to convey... was that whether the costume is about a culture or a profession, I assume there was originally some degree of pride in it. It's very easy to have a slippery slope argument as to just how sensitive society should be in an autonomous society (what should be legally banned) that prides itself in the freedom of expression, and how selective sensitivity can subtly enter society just as easily. Whether a costume is considered "offensive" or not, historically has been based on the tides of societal attitudes though.

[Prowler]

Okay, I'm not gonna read through 3 pages of the usual bickering, so I apologize if this has been addressed already but why are superhero and geisha costumes not allowed?

[Candy Kappa]

Even though it was a profession, isn't it still somewhat offensive to make a caricature of that profession through a costume (seen as the "smelly barbarian") to represent Scandinavian culture though? :ohwell:

Um, no. That caricature is widely used in Scandinavia as tourist souvenirs and isn't offensive, just historically incorrect.

Okay, I'm not gonna read through 3 pages of the usual bickering, so I apologize if this has been addressed already but why are superhero and geisha costumes not allowed?

I guess superheroes often have masks, it's obscuring a person's identity? Who knows.

But geisha costumes could be a very problematic hot potato, especially with America's history with "geisha girls".

[plastroncafe]

Okay, I'm not gonna read through 3 pages of the usual bickering, so I apologize if this has been addressed already but why are superhero and geisha costumes not allowed?

Answers to both your questions can be found in the very first post of the thread.

[Prowler]

Silly reasons. But everything seems to be offensive in the USA to some degree, so I'm not sure why I'm even surprised.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Only to some people. Honestly, I don't think I'd find any of those offensive. In poor taste, maybe, on some of them, but that's a different issue.

[Prowler]

Only to some people. Honestly, I don't think I'd find any of those offensive. In poor taste, maybe, on some of them, but that's a different issue.
Well, not so much the people itself, but more like some society and political sectors.

[BubblyShell22]

I certainly don't care what people dress as. As long as they have fun, that's all that matters as that's what the holiday's about. But there always going to be some people who will ruin that just like they ruin everything else. Makes me think of that South Park episode where Kyle's mom was offended by the fact that Kyle was playing Joseph even though he was Jewish.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Well, not so much the people itself, but more like some society and political sectors.


Not even everyone in those sectors, though- just some uber-extreme, over-sensitive members of certain groups/ethnicities/religions/whatever. Not ALL Native Americans are offended (or care enough to gripe about it) by costumes emulating their culture. Same goes for most other groups. It's mostly just the most militantly extreme and vocal members that do that sort of thing. Unfortunately, they tend to be the ones who get the most attention.

[plastroncafe]

There's no accounting for taste.

[BubblyShell22]

No it's all about stupid idiots like you who have to get offended over silly sh*t. As Duckie said, not all groups are going to feel as strongly about it. It's just the ones who have nothing else better to do with their lives that get all butthurt over dumb sh*t and feel the need to ruin everyone's fun.

[plastroncafe]

I am not the Social Justice Cleric you're looking for, Larry.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/tumblr_l33pleritW1qzwi58o1_500.gif

So...remain calm and follow your own advice.
Otherwise you're going to continue to look like someone who has nothing else better to do with their lives than get all butthurt over dumb sh*t and feel the need to ruin everyone's fun.

If a school doesn't want its students coming to school with fake weapons, they should be allowed to make that decision for themselves.
If a school doesn't want its students coming to school dressed as professional escorts, they should be allowed to make that decision for themselves.
If a school doesn't want its students coming to school dressed as mass murderers, because...the school had been attacked by one, they should be able to make that decision for themselves.

You, as someone who doesn't go to that school or live in that community, or isn't a member of the culture in question, don't get to have a say.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

You know, not to say they can't make their own decisions regarding the appropriateness and acceptability of various forms of personal expression, but- this is how we end up with totalitarian societies like the ones in 1984, Hunger Games, and the like. It starts with little things like what costumes you can wear, or what books you can read (and I've had personal experience with that particular type of ban) and it ends with not being free to say or do anything at all as an individual....

[Leo656]

Well, sure, BUT, on the other hand, one or two people might get "Uncomfortable" and that's absolutely not allowed anymore. People need to be completely shielded from discomfort at all times at any cost.

I mean why would anyone place a priority on trivialities such as "Fun" when someone, somewhere, might actually be moved to write an indignant letter that nobody wants to read? It's not important that the majority of people are happy; it's only important that the vocal minority aren't making whiny phone calls.

That's "Progress", apparently.

[plastroncafe]

The status quo must be maintained at all cost, lest people who benefit from it the most might just realize folks who aren't them are actual people, worthy of respect and dignity.

And we can't have that.

Seriously though, with actual Totalitarian Regimes out there...the Capitol and 1984 are the slippery slope examples?
Cripes...

[Candy Kappa]

I'd imagine no one in America was that dumb bringing prop and toy weapons at school, considering their enormous history of school massacres.

Even in the UK costumed people and LARPers have been shot by the police became they where carrying toy guns that looked too real.

But, then again...