You’re Going Out In That? You Should Be Ashamed!
October 18th, 2009 3:06 pm by Jonathan
Yesterday it was reported that department store chain Target buckled under pressure from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles to remove a Hallowe'en costume from their racks. The costume in question consists of a mask resembling a space creature, an orange jump suit with the words “Illegal Alien” printed on it, and an oversized green card bearing the words “Green Card.”
Shame on you for enjoying the Alien Nation series
The reasoning behind the complaint is that the costume negatively depicts terrestrial-based immigrants and aliens, and that it only enforces the negative views and stereotypes many have about people from other countries trying to make headway in The United States. Target has even gone so far as to say that the costume was accidentally included in this year's line, and that it was never intended to be made available.
Have we completely lost our spirit of fun? I've looked at the costume for a long time now, and even at first blush I did not get the impression that this was a slight against any particular minority culture. While I groaned more than I chuckled, all I saw was a visual pun – a physical representation of a play on words. I'm probably going to get flack for this, but I anticipate a day when I can no longer buy polish for my boots because I might use the stuff to negatively portray a person or group (I'm not saying I would, I'm just saying that we should remove the possibility all together). If we are going to shed whatever strains of xenophobia we have (no matter how subtle), in order to celebrate and fully enjoy an all-inclusive Hallowe'en, then I think it's time we take a long hard look at the mainstream costumes that are out there, and join hands in forming a coalition that tells these corporations that we refuse to spend money to negatively impact minorities or those disadvantaged in our gentle society.
I've been looking at other costumes available through Target; ones that are popular, widely accepted, and purchased without forethought. I have to say, after my research, I am ashamed of you people for being so insensitive. Here is my (personal) list of offenders:
The Vampire:
We are misunderstood
This is a classic. If you've ever been out and about on October 31st, or wandered through the mall on any other day, you've probably seen people dressed like this. Pale skin, dark clothing, afraid of sunlight, with an insatiable thirst to feed on live humans or animals for the nutrients their blood provides.
Why this is offensive:
There is a rare condition known as porphyria, which makes individuals very sensitive to direct sunlight, and also leaves those affected with low blood-sodium levels, and (in some cases) blood-iron deficiency, which causes a craving for those things which contain what they are lacking.
Who to contact to complain about insensitivity: Porphyria Foundation
Positive portrayals: Paula Frías Allende and King George III
The Werewolf/Wolfman:
Centuries of negative PR
These are also classics, having been portrayed in The Howling series of movies, as well as numerous Lon Cheney films. A seemingly normal person is transfigured by the full moon into a beast that terrorizes and reminds us why we have to keep our basest of desires in check.
Why this is offensive:
Hypertrichosis or Hirsutism. These are conditions by which people have excessive, and in some cases, what is known as “terminal hair.” This is a condition that knows no gender, race, or any other qualifiers. In extreme cases, the sufferers are covered from head to toe in a thick layer of hair.
Who to contact to complain about insensitivity: Hairscientists.org
Positive portrayals: Larry Ramos Gomez (He may be getting a reality show soon, which, like “Little People, Big World” will not have a single hint of exploitation.)
Characters From the "Twilight" series
I haven't seen the movie or read the books, so I hope I got the right costume here.
Why this is offensive:
Not all Mormons shop at Hot Topic
Who to contact to complain about insensitivity: The Church of Latter Day Saints and every teenager you know
Positive portrayals: Still researching this one
The Pirate
This is how EVERYONE sharing games and music on-line really looks!
Why this is offensive:
This costume promotes fun and anarchy, which is only feeding into and encouraging people to support Somalian privateers, offenses against the music and software industries, and bringing about the demise of the lime industry.
Who to contact to file a complaint about insensitivity: BSA and Ecoterra
Positive portrayals: Captain Morgan
Now that I've bothered to make you aware of the unwitting and subliminal insensitivity that many people have been portraying during the Hallowe'en season (the list can go on and on, if one looks hard enough), I hope everyone will think carefully before going out dressed up as their favorite "monsters" and promote inequality, misogyny, violence, and overall undermining of a progressive society bent on change. I think it's high time for a shovel-ready movement to abandon these antiquated notions of what is scary or fun, in the name of scoring a few pieces of candy. I want a world where I can go into a store and not see monster costumes, or exploiting outfits - because we've become so enlightened that we can see these archetypes not as laughable or freakish, but for the sensitive and struggling groups and individuals that they are.
Do you know of an insensitive costume? Are your neighbors dressing the kids as Kim Jong-Il this year? Henry Ford? The Dutch oppressors of Indonesia? Daffy Duck? Elizabeth Bathory? Please send us your opinions on what's really offensive (including this article), and any pictures of costumes that you find truly insensitive (or hilarious).
