Halloween pumpkins photographed in The State News newsroom Oct. 29, 2019.
—With Halloween approaching, I’m here to help you decide if that costume inching its way out from the back of your closet is actually acceptable to wear.
A lot of people don’t know that there is a fine line between cultural appreciation and appropriation.
Defining appreciation vs. appropriation
Appreciation is a term used to describe learning about another culture with respect and courtesy. It is appreciating a certain culture enough to take the time to learn about it, interact with people among it and genuinely gain an understanding.
In other words, appreciation is an effort to broaden perspective and connect cross-culturally.
Appropriation is a term used to describe the taking over of creative or artistic forms, themes or practices by one cultural group from another. In general, it is used to describe Western appropriations of non-Western or non-white forms, carrying connotations of exploitation and dominance.
In other words, it is simply taking an aspect of a culture that isn’t your own and using it for your own personal activities or interests.
This could mean purchasing a piece of jewelry or clothing that might have a background of cultural importance and significance and using it as a fashion statement, or taking a photo of a ritual ceremony and using it to get likes on social media.
The thought alone should make you uncomfortable in your seat.
Questions To Ask Yourself
1. Is your costume racially, ethnically or culturally based?
If the answer is yes, change. You are appropriating.
Examples of these kinds of costumes include traditional apparel and accessory from Japanese, Mexican, Native American and other cultures and lifestyles. Another prime example is “blackface," which involves the painting of one’s skin black in order to mock or ridicule people of color.
Keep in mind that these are all living, breathing and diverse cultures, not a fad that can be manipulated, discarded and bought at a clothing store.
2. Do you belong to that group of people?
If the answer is no, change. You are appropriating.
3. Is your costume funny or sexy?
If your costume is funny or sexy, but is also racially, ethnically or culturally based, change. You are appropriating.
4. Would you wear that costume around that group of people?
If the answer is no, change. You are appropriating.
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All in all, if you even have to question your costume, don’t wear it. There are plenty of other acceptable ideas on the board.
Happy haunting, boys and ghouls!
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