posted on october 27, 2016 by dcg | 7 comments 




from campus reform : grinnell college (a private liberal arts college in iowa) is promoting a guide to help students avoid <u+201c>cultural appropriation<u+201d> this halloween , warning that some costumes could be considered <u+201c>deplorable and problematic.<u+201d> (gee, wonder where they got the idea for the word <u+201c>deplorable?<u+201d>) 




the guide provides several examples of costumes that might fit the definition of <u+201c>cultural appropriation,<u+201d> defining the term as <u+201c>the act of displaying people<u+2019>s cultures in a disrespectful or condescending manner.<u+201d> 




the guide, called <u+201c>my identity, not your costume,<u+201d> goes on to list several examples of <u+201c>offensive<u+201d> halloween costumes, featuring pictures of grinnell students holding photos of costumes that would be considered disrespectful towards their culture. 




in one instance, the guide shows a picture of a burly white man dressed in lingerie with a sash proclaiming <u+201c>call me caitlyn,<u+201d> referring to caitlyn jenner. the photo is held by a grinnell student wearing a <u+201c>national coming out day<u+201d> pin, and includes a caption stating, <u+201c>the misrepresentation of my identity bothers me because people categorize me by my looks and may not understand my culture.<u+201d> you just don<u+2019>t understand this culture<u+2026> 




another example of culturally appropriated halloween costumes, according to the guide, is <u+201c>using other cultures as accessories to appear more hip/interesting without adequate understanding or permission ,<u+201d> one example of which is a picture of someone dressed as a hindu deity being held by an indian student and the message that such costumes are <u+201c>deplorable and problematic.<u+201d> 




it then warns students that if their costumes take <u+201c>defining characteristics of another culture<u+201d> without <u+201c>permission , or understanding of the historical background behind the said culture,<u+201d> then these costumes might be too offensive to wear. 




the guide then concludes with two questions the school thinks students should consider before selecting a halloween costume, asking, <u+201c>does your costume perpetuate stereotypes or inaccurately portray my culture as a joke?<u+201d> as well as <u+201c>why would i find your <u+2018>halloween costume<u+2019> to be offensive?<u+201d> 




campus reform reached out to grinnell for a comment on the matter but did not receive a response in time for publication. 




to donate to campus reform , go here . 




dcg
comment on grinnell college warns against <u+2018>deplorable and problematic<u+2019> costumes by joe
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