CULTURE Stay woke.
Cultural Appropriation: How Far is Too Far? By: Destiny Hodges It’s that time of year again! With Halloween just around the corner; children, teens, and adults alike are brainstorming their costume debut as we speak. They take on every role imaginable from vampires, superheroes and princesses - to food, household items, and animals. Among the vast selection of options include modeling the customary appearances of cultures and identities from all over the globe. Doing so can and has caused a great deal of controversy. In 2015, a campus wide debate and protest at Yale University sparked from two emails about Halloween costumes fueled the conversation about this ongoing, nationwide argument. The first email was sent by the University’s Intercultural Affairs Committee to the student body; in its request it stated to avoid wearing “culturally unaware and insensitive costumes that could offend minority students. This statement includes the specific listings of pieces such as feathered headdresses, turbans or blackface. Is that too much to ask of people? The second email arose when faculty member and administrator at a student residence, Erika Christakis, responded by expressing that on behalf of those “frustrated” by the advice; students should be able to wear whatever they want, even if they end up offending people. So, the question remains, how far is too far?
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