Issue 1: Culture

CULTUREStay 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, ErikaChristakis, responded by expressing that on behalf of those “frustrated” by the advice; students shouldbe 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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For those who agree with Christakis, is there a point where possibly-culturally insensitive overpowers creative expression? One of the main problems that occur when we decide to dress up as one another for a day, is that dressing up is all that we are doing? There are real experiences and oppressions that come with being in a marginalized population, and when we dress up as a particular group of these people, we don’t have to actually take on their reality.

This can be very offensive when, for example, a white American decides to where dreadlocks onHalloween, when a black male who wears dreadlocks every day is discriminated against in theworkplace.

Another example would be dressing up as a Native American or in their headdresses for a “cool” aesthetic, when in fact while preserving their culture, there is deep history of genocide and deprivation. And then we have scenarios that are just downright wrong, with no ounce of justification. Let’s rewind to Julianne Hough dressed up in blackface as “Crazy Eyes” from the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. Whether her deliberate decision is pure ignorance or not, it is each of our own responsibility to educate ourselves on the historical context and implications of our actions.

This isn’t to say little girls with blonde hair shouldn’t dress up as Mulan or Jasmine, but in situations like this, one should consider whether they are coming from a position of systemic

Devone Byrd, Pacific Coast News/Jill Greenberg for Netflix.

privilege that reinforces stereotypes and not their own personal background, and proceed to make thatapart of their decision. In our youth’s case, it is imperative for parents and/or guardians to have these

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conversations with them. A start could be posing this question to them: “Imagine how someone elsewould feel if you dressed up like them?”

It is not a simple concept, but it also is not as complex as we’re making it.

We as a nation lack empathy, and it manifests through debates such as this one. Instead of placing oneself in another’s reality, we’d rather rationalize for our own overall benefit, or not even think twice at all. The reality is that there is extensively flawed history and present-day aftermath that we must always be aware of. And although our intentions may be innocent, it is our duty to face the repercussions of the past and present, and be carefully thoughtful towards how we appreciate one another’s culture. With that being said, don’t be a WITCH! When costume shopping this year, proceed with caution.

LGBTQIA+ History Month: Icons

October is LBTGIA+ history month, and in honor of this month’s celebrations, we decided to compile all of the queer icons throughout time. Game changers, people who are proud of their sexuality - unapologetically themselves. We thank them for their courage to speak up about something so personal to their life, and for everything they have done to inspire queer individuals everywhere.

• David Bowie: David began breaking barriers of masculinity in the early years of 1972, when he created an androgynous persona, Ziggy Stardust, to defeat the means of gender identification. His constant fluidity with sexuality, fashion, and music allowed a gateway for others to do the same. He did not lobby for gay rights, but instead for a larger mission - society’s acceptance.

• Frida Kahlo: During her marriage with Diego Rivera, Frida was openly bisexual and had multiple affairs with women including: Georgia O’Keefe, Dolores del Rio, Paulette

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Goddard, Jacqueline Lamba, and Josephine Baker. Frida was openly bisexual - which was extremely courageous of her time, and was not afraid of homophobia. She often dressed in men’s clothing, and was fascinated by the idea of androgyny.

• Jonny Pierce: Lead singer of The Drums, Jonny is openly gay and celebrates pride, something very uncommon for an indie singer like himself. He is very personal about his life as a gay man, and has even stated on his Instagram, “I feel lucky as heck to be gay - and when I was a young boy growing up, I never thought I would be able to feel that way,” and later encourages young queers that with time, everything will be okay in the end.

• Ellen DeGeneres: Ellen is one of the most iconic lesbians of our time, being the first openly gay lead on a prime-time television show. She has paved a way for the queer community in general when she talked about her sexuality and personal life openly on “Oprah” and has allowed a line of other queer people to do the same. Ellen remains authentic, and does not stray away from glamorizing her life in any way, and is truly herself. 


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