Culture Not Costume: A Guide to Culture Appropriation this Halloween

A guide to

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION this Halloween

Dressing up for Halloween can be exciting and fun, but it often comes at the expense of marginalized cultures. Black Anthology wants to help you avoid cultural appropriation this Halloween! The following guide examines common examples of cultural appropriation and details how and why to avoid them.

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Table of Contents

Japanese Culture: The Geisha African Continent: The Maasai Black American Culture Romani Culture Indigenous American Culture Muslim Culture: The Hijab Hindu Culture: The Bindi Latinx Culture Mental Health

Japanese Culture: The Geisha

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Japanese Culture: The Geisha

The cultural appropriation of the traditional Japanese Geisha outfit during the Halloween season is extremely offensive. The Geisha costume during Halloween is frequently sexualized and reinforces the sexual fetish around Asian American women. While someone who is wearing the costume can simply take it off after the night, Japanese and generally all Asian American women, continue to feel the effects of this type of appropriation. The Geisha costume is also usually very inaccurate to the actual Japanese culture. For example, Geisha costumes are usually worn with chopsticks in the hair, something that is not representative of traditional Geisha outfits. Many people who wear Geisha costumes do not even know its background. According to the Huffington Post, Geishas, “are traditionally Japanese women (and sometimes men) who have been professionally trained in performance arts, traditional tea ceremonies and the art of entertaining guests.”

“To treat a character like Batman or Superman as a Halloween costume is one thing, but to treat an entire ethnicity as a costume is something else.”

Jelani Cobb Professor of Africana studies at Rutgers University

Examples of Appropriation:

African Continent: The Maasai

Guide To Cultural Appropriation African Continent: The Maasai

The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania are constantly fighting against the exploitation of their design heritage and other images of them that are used to glorify images of a “primitive,” “tribal”. Many global designers (i.e., Louis Vutton and Burberry in 2012, Valentino in 2016, Stella McCartney in 2017 and so on…) have made millions on designs based on the Maasai as well as other ethnic groups on the large, diverse continent of Africa.

There are over 3000 distinct ethnic groups in Africa yet many appropriations reduce them into one “African” culture when costuming.

Use of animal prints, feathers, and distinct embroidery in costumes are labeled as “African”.

In addition to clothing patterns and designs, there is a recent trend of the face dots, which have religious, rank or military significance highly dependent on the originating culture. This takes away from the significance that these garments or adornments symbolize and further exploits without justly compensating for their creations and ideas. At least the Maasai are hoping to make a statement with Maasai Intellectual Property Initiative, dedicated to reclaiming Maasai ownership of its cultural brand and asking designers to cease or pay copyright fees.

“I think people need to understand the culture of the others and respect it. “You should not use it to your own benefit, leaving the community, or the owner of the culture… If you just take what belongs to somebody, and go and display it and have your fortune, then it is very wrong…very wrong.”

Isaac ole Tialolo Maasi elder

Examples of Appropriation:

Black American Culture

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Black American Culture

The Cultural Appropriation of Black people in the US generally evolved from a large variety of stereotypes constructed during and after the Reconstruction Era. Black face and other negative, exaggerated embodiments of Blackness are now commonplace on Halloween and continue to perpetuate the dehumanization of Black people. The racist implications of Blackface, an “art form” that evolved as a method of entertainment, is meant to bastardize and exploit Blackness and elements thereof. When speaking of Blackface, the way it stereotypes, exaggerates, and demeans black features, the conversations have been had and the pieces have been written. In other words, the information is out there. It is all over Facebook and Instagram timelines and Twitter feeds.

Therefore, anyone who willfully chooses to don Blackface and/or mock Blackness this Halloween is making a concerted effort to be stubbornly ignorant and racist. Dashikis, dreadlocks, cornrows, black face, and other clothing or aesthetic pieces that can be or are meant to be coded as “Black”, are rooted in anti-black practices that should never take place.

“What if America loved Black people as much as it loved Black culture?”

Amandla Stenberg Actress and Activist Pictured Left

Examples of Appropriation in Popular Culture

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Black American Culture

Examples of Appropriation in Halloween Costumes:

Romani Culture

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Romani Culture

“When I refer to the ‘G’ word, I’m referring to the word ‘gy*sy.’ For years, it has driven me nuts when privileged females refer to themselves as having ‘gy*sy souls’ or simply as a ‘gy*sy.’ In fact, the word “gy*sy” is a derogatory term for a group of people called the Romani or Roma. According to The Oxford Dictionary, the definition of gy*sy is as follows: ‘A member of a traveling people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and traditionally live by seasonal work, itinerant trade and fortune-telling.’

Apparently, Europeans incorrectly thought the group of people was from Egypt, so they gave them the nickname ‘gy*sy,’ and it’s stuck with them ever since. In Europe, ‘gy*sies’ are typically stereotyped as thieves, criminals and low-class citizens, if even citizens at all. Now, have you ever heard of the term gypped? Otherwise known as, to cheat or swindle? This comes from the declared “untrustworthiness” of the Romani people. Right now, the Romani are treated as second-class citizens, especially in Europe, despite the fact that there are over 10 million Romani residing there. Even in the United States, where there are over one million American Roma, citizens of the descent hide their heritage in order to avoid hate crimes because they might be a ‘dirty gy*sy who only travels around in caravans and tells fortunes.’ So, if you ever use the word gy*sy to describe your “free-spirit,” please choose a different word from the dictionary, because you are using a racial slur.”

Alexa Vagnozzi Excerpt from Why ‘Gy*sy’ Is A Racial Slur

Examples of Appropriation:

Indigenous American Culture

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Indigenous American Culture

The sexualization and ridicule of indigenous people through Halloween costumes is nothing new. Although some may not understand what the big deal is, the topic of cultural appropriation was best summarized by actress and singer, Zendaya. When speaking on the topic she stated: “If something feels personal to your culture or to your background, then you take that personally and you feel affected by it. You can’t tell someone not to be upset about it.”

These costumes and signature items that have been turned into sexy accessories have a deep history and meaning to the people they belong to. By making a joke out of their culture, we are doing indigenous people yet another disservice.

Examples of Appropriation:

Muslim Culture: The Hijab

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Muslim Culture

The hijab is referred to by various names, some of the most common of which are a veil or a headscarf. Most Muslims who wear the covering call it a hijab, an Arabic word meaning “cover”. Muslim women choose to wear the hijab or other coverings for a variety of reasons. A large majority of women who wear the hijab are Muhajaba, which means they are wearing it for religious purposes or wear it as a means of visibly expressing their Muslim cultural identity. By wearing the hijab, some Muslim women also hope to communicate their political and social alliance with their country of origin and challenge the prejudice of Western discourses towards the Arabic-speaking world. In the United States, particularly since 9/11, the hijab is perceived to be synonymous with Islamic terrorist attacks. This association has resulted in the violent assaults of many Muslim women wearing hijabs. Hijabs are not accessories for the “aesthetic” look. Since women who wear a hijab for religious purposes are often ostracized, it is inappropriate to wear a headscarf and deem it a hijab because you think it is “cute.” Regardless of the intended and unintended consequences of another cultural custom. It undermines the entire value of the hijab and perpetuates the romanticism of a cultural element—stripping away all of its traditional and religious meaning.

“We fail to understand that there is no singular meaning to why women cover. Until we can accept that veiling has a multiplicity of meanings, we will confine Muslim women and girls to the same stereotypes they are trying to break free from” Shelina Zahra Janmohamed Writer

Examples of Appropriation:

Hindu Culture: The Bindi

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Hindu Culture

The cultural appropriation of bindis, a sacred religious and cultural symbol, as an adornment worn during a festival or party is offensive. Like all culturally important symbols, the Bindi holds great value to those who are a part of the Hindu religion. It should not be transformed into a trend for mass consumption by individuals who have no religious or cultural connection. Traditionally, the Bindi is a red dot worn in the center of the forehead by Hindu women to represent marital status and as a representation of the spiritual “third eye”, ajna chakra. By wearing a Bindi as a fashion statement, there is an exoticization of a critical part of Hindu culture. By refusing to genuinely understand the historical context or cultural implications of the bindi, one furthers the fetishization of Hindu culture.

“The bindi for me symbolizes religion and heritage.

It’s a symbol of strength and love. It defines me” Sanaa Hamid Artist and Photographer

“Our cultures have long been fetishised and gravely misunderstood in the West.”

Vidya Ramachandran Writer

Examples of Appropriation:

Latinx Culture

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Hindu Culture

Cultural appropriation, which occurs all year, tends to be heightened around holidays. Latinx culture is appropriated annually on Cinco de Mayo, with people wearing sombreros and drinking frozen margaritas at a completely whitewashed “fiesta.”

During Halloween, Día de los Muertos is appropriated and devalued, with people treating it as a sort of Halloween, rather than the spiritual celebration it truly is. In Aztec culture, skulls symbolized death and rebirth - Día de los Muertos celebrates those who have passed. By treating the skulls and associated colors as costumes, you are removing the value and the validity of this important celebration. Sugar skulls and Calavera makeup carry deeply symbolic meaning in Latinx culture - they are not images to be manipulated and whitewashed.

Examples of Appropriation:

Mental Health

Guide To Cultural Appropriation Mental Health

Although mental illnesses do not represent a specific culture, the exploitation of mental illnesses is very prevalent in today’s society and negatively affects people who experience those disorders. The stylization of certain garments associated with mental illnesses and hospitalization (ie. restraints, hospital garments, etc.) perpetuates stereotypes that hinders acknowledging mental illness as a serious medical issue and those who wish to seek treatment. 1 in 25 people in America is experiencing a mental illness of some sort. It is imperative that we do not reduce their realities to a costume or style. The use of costumes associated with any type of illness does not create necessary dialogue surrounding the topic; it mocks people’s experiences, perpetuates narratives that mental illnesses are not a serious issue and there is something “wrong” with or “scary” about those who experience mental illnesses, and deters those who go untreated from seeking necessary medical attention. Instead of participating in the exploitation and “other-ing” of mental illnesses, create spaces where people are comfortable talking about their issues, start constructive dialogues surrounding seeking professional assistance, and circulate resources people can use should they need help.

“...it’s ultimately that very fear...that relegates mental illness to the domain of Halloween fetish along with ghosts, witches, and skeletons. But portraying mental illness as a cartoonish Halloween costume doesn’t remove that phobia, even if that might be the intent on some level. After all, mental illness isn’t unknowable and it isn’t a death sentence: It’s something people recover from, or live with, given proper treatment and support” Dr. Joseph M. Pierre Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California-LA

Remember: Cultural appropriation may be heightened on Halloween, but it is something that happens year round. It is important that we recognize and call out cultural appropriation when it happens and that we work to eliminate it in the future.