Thursday, October 29, 2009

Are These Halloween Costumes Racist?

I'm from a mixed racial and cultural heritage so I never understood why anyone would want to dress up in the traditional clothes of another culture for Halloween. It doesn't make any sense to me. When I see these kinds of costumes I see stereotypes reinforced. I have to agree with Lisa at Sociological Images on this one.
Lisa writes:
As far as I can figure it, Halloween costumes come in three categories: scary, funny, or fantastical. This is why dressing up like another “race” or “culture” for Halloween is racist. A “Mexican Man,” for example [see above] should not be presented as scary, funny, or fantastical. READ MORE
What do you guys think? Are these Halloween costumes racist to you?