Halloween Fun or Cultural Appropriation?

Although not a federal holiday, Halloween is one of the largest celebratory days – and evenings – of the year. In fact, one quarter of all candy purchased in the United States is for Halloween, and an average of $5 billion is spent annually on the festivities. Last year, this expenditure reached an all-time high of $12.2 billion.

And yet, there is a darker side to Halloween that is often dismissed. It’s the racially-charged and often overlooked cultural appropriation that occurs from wearing costumes or other apparel that stereotypes and damages individuals and groups.

Walk into any Halloween or department store and costumes that appropriate Native Americans (usually wrongly labeled “Indians” and lumped alongside cowboy garb), Asian, and Black culture, line the shelves.

Donning items like Afros, blackface, sombreros, kimonos, Hawaiian hula dress, belly dance dress, Native American headdress, and sugar skull makeup (when used as a Día de los Muertos costume without understanding its cultural significance) all perpetuate stereotypes about an assigned culture and can hurt those who are represented. It further deepens the roots of systemic racism in our nation.

Historically, cultural appropriation has been used as a tool of oppression, especially in the U.S., where Black, Indigenous, and other people of colors’ (BIPOC) identities were caricatured to reinforce harmful stereotypes. This practice has extended far beyond the U.S. and been similarly used to perpetuate control over marginalized cultures. Additionally, unintentional appropriation often occurs when people unknowingly adopt cultural symbols or attire without understanding their deep significance.

This issue is more complex than simple costume choices. While overtly dressing as another ethnicity is less common today, many still inadvertently appropriate culture by imitating public figures or celebrities in ways that resemble blackface or exploit cultural symbols. Such actions may seem harmless but contribute to perpetuating prevailing stereotypes and systemic racism.

So, please be mindful this Halloween, and spread awareness to others, including store owners and managers. As a society, we are evolving and learning how to be sensitive, considerate and celebratory of our neighbors’ cultures. Perhaps a shopping trip to load up on seasonal candy, or a Halloween invitation could spark a much-needed conversation about ingrained racism.