Can a white child dress up as moana for Halloween?

Halloween is a familiar battlefield in the American war between cultural sensitivities and free expression. The festival, which originated in costumes to ward off evil spirits, has become a day to celebrate creative self-expression. It not only means that people dress up as witches and monsters, but also each other. That’s why things get complicated, and why you keep hearing the word “cultural grants” during the heated debate in October.

On one side of the debate are minorities and their allies, who say they are biased all year round, so it may be distasteful to see those who discriminate against them (intentionally or unintentionally) dress up for Halloween. On the other hand, those who think they are politically correct have gone too far. (susan scafidi), author of who has Culture: possession and authenticity in American Law. In 2015, Yale University (yale) warned students not to wear certain costumes on Halloween, “which caused outrage on both sides,” said Susan Schaffiti, author of the book “who owns Culture: possession and authenticity in American Law.” in 2015, Yale University (yale) warned students not to wear certain costumes on Halloween. “I think the debate is completely politicized, but it’s not necessary,” she said. We can all learn to be polite and respectful without political overtones. In fact, I think most people are politicized. “scafidi talked to the United States today about how interesting, creative and even disruptive it is for adults and children to be on Halloween. Instead of accidentally starting a fight. ”

It would be horrible if we all had to stay in our cultural alleys and eat exactly the same dishes that our parents, grandparents, and others ate, travel from one restaurant to another, or experience other languages, movies and novels. Yes, dress style. But it all comes down to respect and competition. I want to If we come from a culture that has not been attacked, oppressed and discriminated against historically, it may be a little hard to understand. But I think part of Halloween is creative, imagining yourself in another way, as another character. So I think we just need to imagine what other people would feel if you (liked them). ”

Cultural appreciation is what scafidi calls “good borrowing” (making Moroccan soup for dinner and talking to his family about it). Cultural possession can be “offensive” (turning a headscarf into a costume makes a mockery of people wearing headscarves every day because of one of their religious beliefs). When the borrower has privileges, cultural possession may also be offensive, while the borrowed person is oppressed. For example, on Halloween, a white man wears long hair, and when a black man wears long hair on Monday, he is told “you can’t work here.”

It is difficult to give a clear “yes” or “no” answer to everything (some Pacific Islanders defend Maui clothing), but “whether a particular piece of clothing constitutes cultural theft should include asking the community of origin,” Schaffiti said. Disney appeared to represent its clients, consulting community representatives to withdraw offensive Maui clothing, even though it was too late, while continuing to sell Moana, “which is the most difficult thing for parents. On Halloween, they may try to travel through a complex world, while acknowledging the more idealistic world their children see. “eventually, a caring adult may see a particular culture, and her daughter may simply have chosen a fictional character with a spirit of adventure, courage, determination, yes, A little disobedient-it’s a universal set of values for future women. ”

Bottom line: it’s a personal choice, but ask yourself if you feel comfortable wearing it-or making your child feel comfortable wearing it-among people from this culture. Does this embarrass you? Will you be called out? Still welcome, scafidi is not interested in monitoring individual choices, but encourages deliberate decisions.

“if we live in a perfect world, we can all dress up as another person without offending others. But the reality of history and the social problems that are taking place, we just need to respect this as part of what the United States is now, and perhaps we will retreat from this camouflage. ”