Argumentative Essay On Halloween Costumes

Racial and cultural appropriation has become increasingly significant in society within the past 30 years. “The idea of “cultural appropriation” has recently entered mainstream

Anyone who knows me, knows me knows that I love to watch reruns of “What not to wear” on TLC, As it teaches me something I clearly know nothing about, fashion. However anyone who is in my Spanish class known that I not only care about my culture but others as well. This school year has been interesting both fashion-wise and politically, from the Kylie Jenner Lip challenge, to Donald Trump running for president. It has been such a weird school year however, that it has pointed out a sad fact about the current fashion world, that is prevalent through the politics we discuss in our everyday lives, and that is cultural appropriation. As cultural appropriation according to the Oxford Dictionary is “A term used to describe the taking over of creative or artistic forms, themes, or practices by one cultural group from another. It is in general used to describe Western appropriations of non‐Western or non‐white forms, and carries connotations of exploitation and dominance.” And despite how much we would like to believe that this issue doesn’t exist in our present day society, if one looks In clothing stores, fashion magazines, and even Halloween parties, cultural theft is occurring. This can be seen especially with indigenous cultures as: elements of indigenous cultures are morphed into fashion trends and costumes for those who will never understand their significance. “Navajo print” leggings, “tribal” jewelry, and “Indian princess” Halloween costumes are examples of gross

In the article, “I was That Girl On Halloween –Here’s How I Learned My Lesson” by Alden Wicker, discusses how she was influenced to change her perspective when buying or creating a Halloween costume and how it has a hostile response in peoples cultures. Wicker

The authors goal of the text was to discuss cultural appropriation. She uses African American culture as the primary example for inappropriate and misuses of their culture. The paper

The idea of culture means different things to different people. Groups and communities are often separated by having clearly defined cultural traditions, clothing, and attitudes. However, these cultural distinctions are sometimes adopted by others who do not belong to the community that the appropriated ideas are from. This cultural appropriation is often present in popular culture in the United States. Several examples exist in the American pop music industry. While most instances of cultural appropriation in American pop music may seem to consist of white performers appropriating “black” culture, another important example is the appropriation of Native American culture.

Often, people appropriate culture in the form of a costume. According to Dr. Jessica Metcalfe, “When people know of us only as a 'costume,' or something you dress up as for Halloween or for a music video, then you stop thinking of us as people, and this is incredibly dangerous because every day we fight for the basic human right to live our own lives without outsiders determining our fate or defining our identities” (“Cultural Appropriation”). Many cultures have members that are primarily non-white, and cultural appropriation often happens when a white person makes fun of the aspects of a non-white culture. According to Devin Hall, “Viewed as funny, ironic, trendy, or an opportunity to be retweeted by TFM, dressing up as a Native American, painting oneself with blackface, or dressing as a homeless person is not only offensive behavior, but also correctable” (Hall). The above costumes, especially Native Americans and blackface, are extremely common. Blackface is when a non-black person paints their face multiple shades darker than it actually is, and is often paired with “black” styles, such as dreadlocks. People that dress up in these offensive costumes often do not know the real harm they are causing; others will begin to view the people in the culture being mocked as less than people. All in all, ignorantly using another culture as a costume has detrimental effects on the people from

In Western culture, people seldom realize the amount of cultural appropriation that occurs around them. Westerners are blinded by cultural mockery and cultural appropriation without realizing its offensive effects to minority groups. During the Halloween holiday, in Western culture, people of all ages dress up in a variety of costumes such as horror themed, fairy tale themed, job themed, cultural themed and much more. Harvard University members have argued that a cultural themed costume is a form of cultural appropriation. Also in Western culture, in the music industry, white artists have utilized and exploited aspects from minority cultures to boost their fame. Costumes, props, ideas, music, and others considered as cultural appropriation is often overlooked but it is apparent when closely examined.

At first, an individual may probably perceive this type of attire as a comical idea but it actually has grave repercussions on the communities that the costume mocks. It is evident that the previous Halloween holiday elicited a great deal of controversy regarding the issue of discrimination. This affected many people including those who faced some form of mockery. Previous holidays mainly highlighted the aspect of racism, but an attack on other societal aspects was evident this time around.

Cultural appropriation is shown in many ways among the public. When a member of the majority takes an element of a minority culture and attempts to make it their own, they are appropriating the minority’s culture. Appropriating a culture is disrespectful and can lead to loss of valuable meaning of cultural practices. This is shown in many ways, such as the use of blackface or wearing a significant piece of Native American history as a fashion accessory. Each of these elements is an example of appropriation of a minority culture and is never acceptable and needs to be stopped.

Professor and vice dean at the University of Miami School of Law Osamudia James' commentary "Can a white child dress as a Halloween character from another race" addresses (discusses, whines about, addresses) the now-controversial topic (issue) of appropriating another race or culture's (appearance). James argues that an acceptable costume depends on avoiding stereotypes, discrimination, and white supremacy. (I agree with James about avoiding white supremacy and discrimination, but I found it very hard to picture a costume which does not make (use of stereotypes) in one way or another.) Ideally, a person would avoid white supremacy and discrimination (redundant) in choosing his costume, but I find it very hard to picture a costume which does not make use of stereotypes in one way or another. Somehow, she (manages to relate) relates white supremacy to Halloween in (for no reason) (an unrelated ) (a maniacal) manner. Her point might make sense if children regularly get upset over Halloween costumes, but she gives no examples which prove they do. Throughout the paper James mystifies the reader and makes false (untrue) statements which do not adhere to regular (normal) logic. With(another word?) hollow or false points, James provides a list of rules to follow to insure a person offends no one. (state my position in a contrasting thesis)

In response to the article about Halloween costumes, I agree Halloween is meant for fun, but people should be able to wear whatever costumes they want. However, I do realize costumes that are of murderers, using blackface, and blatantly racist costumes are in no way acceptable. Costume that copy cultures with no malicious intent are in no way offensive.

Appropriation is defined as the borrowing of cultural signs. Our current culture is full of appropriation. It has been around for decades, but now the “hillbilly” has “regained the spotlight in American culture” (284) We are able to see this in the media, music, and in performances too. For example, common TV shows such as Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Jersey Shore, and Duck Dynasty reinforce this idea that you can work and if you work hard enough, you can afford the makeup, the stylist, and the entry fees, you have made it and you can also show it. Today, some specific examples of appropriation that we may see in not only our TV shows, but also from some of our favorite entertainers are hairstyles. Some hairstyles that have been appropriated from

Halloween: the holiday where as kids we couldn’t wait to go door to door to achieve the golden goal of a full bag of candy. Halloween soon turns into a question mark for teens; in an instant, there is a change of when it is ‘appropriate’ to go trick-or-treating and when you should just move on. Are you the one who thinks Trick-or-treating is lame or the one who still walks around your neighborhood every year -- no matter how many dirty looks you may get. What teenagers decide to do on Halloween varies: going to a party, passing out candy, staying home are a few popular options. Throughout my highschool experience I have been able to witness and experience all different types of halloteens, each with their own traits.

You know the saying that your eyes is the window to your soul? Yeah, that's not necessarily true. You don't know what's going on inside a persons mind and/or body. That said person could have unpredictably mastered the art of putting on a mask that can paint over the tragic story behind it. The masterpiece at mind can be brutally injured yet no one would have a clue. The hurt and guilt poured slowly like hot wax onto your skin can be symbolized of how much time you're willing to find out a solution but before that, you have to hide the pain just so you don't get pity. The agony of trying to write a novel or a piece of poem or even an essay of you're feelings can be sheer and spiteful to the readers who are probably thinking "this girl just wants pity". Then tell me this, how else would you want to tell your feelings when all the while your being hurt right behind your back and the worse part? It's that you know that it's happening but you aren't able to do anything about it. To just diminish the thoughts and pretend like you have presented it to the public is when after one or two incidents like that, you have to start putting on your mask. Later on, just by continuously doing it, you get so used to it.

Cultural appropriation is a huge topic, within today’s society, many question what is cultural appropriation and what is not. The definition of cultural appropriation is, “....the use of ideas, symbols, artifacts, images, objects, etc., derived from contact between different cultures. It often implies a negative view towards the minority culture by the dominant one and is often culturally insensitive”(Biron). Examples of cultural appropriation would be portraying a culture through stereotypical depictions of them or wearing a culture as a ‘trend’. Another example would be wearing a headdress to portray a Native American or wearing a sombrero and a poncho to depict a Mexican. Just those words sound degrading and racist each of these ethnicities. Many think it is socially acceptable to be insensitive to a culture, because they classify the appropriation as them appreciating the culture. Cultural appropriation shows only the stereotypical view of culture and has no regards to the actual culture. Many look at the cultures as inspiration for ideas, but that does not mean to steal the ideas completely. Cultural appropriation is not only insensitive, but also racist. Blackface, for example, was used to portray an African American by painting the face of an non-black actor black. The NFL team Redskins uses an offensive and racist word to label their team; their mascot is a “Native American” wearing headdress. First and foremost, not all Native American cultures wear headdresses, these depictions of Native culture show natives as all the same. Minorities have faced appropriation for decades, but why did this problem only recently come about?