However, there is a big difference between what is fair play for comedic value and what
is offensive.

This year, one eBay user attempted to sell a very realistic James Holmes latex mask for $500. The mask was scarily accurate, capturing every facial marking on Holmes’ face, and even had attached orange hair, similar to that seen on Holmes’ head the night he allegedly opened fire in an Aurora, Colo., theater at the premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises,” killing 12 and wounding 58 others this past July.

Although the item quickly was removed from the auction website because it did not comply with the site’s policy of banning any offensive materials, the listing allegedly said the product was meant to “shock everyone you know” and asked buyers to “imagine owning the mask of supposedly the most dangerous mass murderer in U.S. history.”

There is no doubt Halloween provides the chance for enthusiasts to create entertaining costumes that depict famous characters or make fun of political scandals.

But wearing a costume that depicts a man who, just a few months ago, allegedly opened fire on a theater of innocent victims and still is on trial for this crime is deplorable. It is disrespectful to the victims and their families.

It is acceptable to try to gain shock value through costumes in order to gain laughs, but this costume crosses the line.

This has been a difficult year for America in terms of violence.

The James Holmes shooting only is one of a few mass shootings that have occurred in the past few months, including the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin. Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to at least 30 years in jail this year because he molested multiple young boys.

America will move forward from these tragic events and remember the victims involved. But in order to do so, Americans need to be respectful and not utilize national events as fodder for humor.

When people have been killed, molested or hurt in any way, there is nothing funny about spoofing it or using Halloween as an excuse to acknowledge it.

In the same fashion, students should not use Halloween as an excuse to make fun of other religions, ethnicities or races by channeling stereotypes. This is just as inappropriate and offensive as creating a costume focused on a tragic event.

There is no doubt Spartans enjoy celebrating Halloween. It is one of the few national holidays students get to spend together, celebrating and enjoying one another’s company.

Many Spartans will don creative, entertaining costumes tonight in celebration.

But certain offensive costumes should be off-limits to those enjoying today’s holiday.

Being offensive is not at all creative; it just is insulting.