Be Appropriate, Don't Appropriate
With Halloween only a few weeks away, everyone is thinking about what their eye-catching costume is going to be! It's so cool to see the amazing and unique costumes that people come up with to top last year's.
But you know what isn't cool? Dressing up as someone else's culture.
The definition of cultural appropriation is: the act of taking something (i.e. cultural dress, art, tradition, etc.) for one's own use, without permission of the owner. Sure, that Native American headdress or that Geisha makeup you saw on Instagram may look "cute," but nobody is going to be thinking that at the Halloween Party, especially the people whose cultural wear you are abusing. Please do not be this person. Using a culture's traditions and garb as a Halloween costume only shows that you believe that culture to be "make believe" and "fun." As much as you say you're just "appreciating" the culture, you are mocking and disrespecting it. Be aware of what you and your friends are deciding to wear; if you think it may be offensive, then don't wear it!
So, here are a few DIY Halloween costume ideas that are fun, creative, and don't appropriate someone's culture!
Your Favorite Emoji– Wear all black with your bestie to be the "Dancing Girls" or a simple pink shirt to be the "Pink Shirt Girl."
Your Favorite Cartoon Character– Whether you want to be Arthur, a Minion, or a Ninja Turtle, you can practically make any cartoon character cute this Halloween!
50 Shades of Grey– Who doesn't love a good "Gr-outfit"! Either attach some paint samples to a t-shirt, or put on all the grey you have for this simple costume!
Bunch of Grapes– Literally strap a bunch of purple balloons to yourself and you're ready to rumble! (Bonus: have your friends dress as other fruits, too!)
Your Favorite Animal– From a deer to a penguin, with some good makeup and a simple outfit, you can embody any furry friend that you'd like!
It's Raining Men– All you need for this creative get-up is your rain gear and an umbrella to attach photos of your celebrity crushes to!
Ceiling Fan– Get a foam finger and a shirt that reads "GO CEILINGS!" to make this punny outfit come to life.
Go Traditional– There's nothing like sticking with the classics— ghouls, witches, and vampires are the O.G. Halloween costumes that will always be a hit.
The options are endless when it comes to imaginative DIY costumes. You can be practically anything you want. Halloween is a time for expression and creativity, so go all out! But when you have a questionable costume in mind, use your best judgment. Ask yourself if your costume could upset a group of people. If the answer is yes, or even a maybe, it's a good idea to steer clear. We want EVERYONE to have an enjoyable Halloween, so thanks for doing your part!