Editorial: Spook, don't plunder

In an Oct. 14 email sent to the student body from the Dean of Students Office, Allison Gulati discouraged students from dressing up as clowns. Amidst the recent uproar surrounding clown sightings, she asked students to consider that these costumes may “truly frighten other students.” The general insensitivity in regards to Halloween costumes could be a bigger issue. Many colleges already debate the fine lines between cultural sensitivity and the freedom to choose.

While the clown issue should be addressed as Halloween creeps closer, students should also consider being sensitive when choosing their costumes. The undertones of certain costumes consistently target various races and cultures. The use of blackface is not a new issue, but it is an alarmingly persistent one. Recently, two students at nearby Albright College were suspended for posting a video online that showed a white female student in blackface. While the blackface itself is disturbing, the female in the video insults the Black Lives Matter movement as well. Last year, the president of the University of Louisville, James R. Ramsey, was photographed at a staff party in stereotypical Mexican attire.

Halloween is among the most exciting days on Muhlenberg’s campus. However, it is not always a fun holiday for everyone—specifically those at the end of a racially-charged joke. Some examples of this include: an afro wig from Kohl’s with the title “Ghetto Fab,” another titled “Adult Beer Belly White Trash,” and a “Hey Amigo” costume which consisted of a poncho, sombrero, donkey and mustache. Native American and Asian themed costumes also often fall victim.

Many people who wear these costumes do not realize that they are offensive. While one costume may not necessarily have the intention to be racist, it is the one-sided portrayal of a certain race or culture that is the bigger issue. There are other things, like blackface, that have direct ties to institutionalized racism.

Cultural appropriation is a term that seems to grow in popularity around Halloween. In the simplest sense, it means pretending to be a member of an ethnic, racial or gender group to which you are not a member. In an attempt to combat this issue, a large campaign ran last year with the slogan “We Are A Culture, Not A Costume.” The Center for Multicultural Affairs at Duke University posted photos of young people holding images of offensive stereotypes, with the hashtag #OurCulturesAreNotCostumes.

All students should carefully consider their costumes before planning their Halloweekend activities. Dean Gulati urged students to wear costumes that do not imitate another culture and are therefore culturally appropriate.

Students’ best bet is to shy away from any costume that could fall into a grey area. Better yet, try to stick to “safe” options, such as a Starbucks cup, the protagonist from “Where’s Waldo?” or even just a superhero. As a community that strives for inclusivity, our costumes should not diminish or poke fun at another individual’s identity.