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/w...id=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!

[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]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

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.

[plastroncafe]

Thanks to Chrome and this add-on, this thread just got a whole lot more pleasant.

[BubblyShell22]

Originally Posted by Mew

I guess I wont be Mr. Taco this year.

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

[Candy Kappa]

Originally Posted by 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.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

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]

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

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]

Originally Posted by BubblyShell22

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

Spoiler:

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

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]

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

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/entert...lous-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]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

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/entert...lous-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.

Spoiler:

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