Lexi Letterman
Lantern Staff
While scrolling through Google for costume ideas and a general idea of trends this year, I found a picture of a man wearing a neck brace in a wheelchair while wearing a superman costume. I found the reference to Christopher Reeves’ accident that left him a paraplegic classless and offensive. The political and emotional climate of the times we live in need to affect the decision we ultimately make.
The general argument at this point is that people are too easily offended today, and while I do agree that there are cases where this happens, the simple Google search of Halloween costumes really opened my eyes. This does not only include the references to well-known events, but the references to certain cultural elements that only can indicate a racist mindset. The costume that is chosen to wear is for a single night of the person wearing its life, but these ideas and stigmas that they are bringing to the table are things that these people live with and have to carry with them their entire life,and will likely affect them long after the costume is taken off.
Upon further research and finding some costumes that referenced the molestation accusations against Michael Jackson, I was appalled. It is not that the entertaining reference to pop culture is lost on me, it is merely that for other people who are victims of the tragedy that is child molestation or rape, this can manage to trigger them. While we do not need to walk on egg shells, we need to have general class, tact and compassion for others, and I do not believe this idea feeds an image of ‘being soft”, “not knowing how to take a joke” or “deal with differing opinions”. The idea of just taking a moment to consider how a choice of attire may affect others this year, is not that much of an inconvenience. This is especially true of people who are a person of minority who are cornered into stereotypes every day of their lives and get to see everyone flaunt them in their face. Not every person of minority is going to feel this way, but some may see it as a statement of mockery.
When selecting a costume, do not feel the need to walk on egg shells, but do look in the mirror and consider what other people may see when looking at the costume.