Many of the costumes that are sold do not represent particular cultures in a appropriate sense. Based on traditional and cultural representations and clothing they are seen as and are important.
So, when Party City sells costumes that do not reflect culture and tradition but a whitewashed version, it is inappropriate.
Many of which offend the culture and its people.
For instance, women are given the option of a variety of sexually inappropriate costumes, such as the ‘Sexy Native’, ‘Sexy Nun’, ‘Sexy Kimono’, ‘Sexy Señorita’, and so on. Many of which people take seriously, but others do not.
These whitewashed costumes shouldn’t even be costumes. The clothing represents a culture, and should not be a costume.
The native wear and feathers are a symbol of the way life is lived for a Native American.
Each feather represents freedom, wisdom, honor, trust, strength, power, and spirituality passed down by the ancestors to their tribe members.
The person who wears the native headpiece has earned the respect to do so from their tribe. Each member who wear its feathers is known to have spiritual connections to the ancestors who have passed on.
The importance of their clothing is evident during ceremonial occasions, such as a passing of an elder. So, when a sexy native costume is sold at the store, it is disrespecting tribes and Native American culture.
Other costumes, such as the sexy Chinese dress is also disrespecting culture.
The Qipao is a traditional dress that Chinese women wore in a revolt against their government for more femininity and sexuality. It represents their fight for education and freedom of tradition values.
When costumes are sold for a “Mexican”, the costume is not appropriate and is demeaning against tradition, and is culturally disrespectful.
The poncho is a symbol of Mexico and its freedom.
The Mapuche people wore the poncho and it was viewed as the people having power.
The elder men and people of wealth and power wore it. The poncho was a symbol of the Civil war Mexico fought and many view it as apart of the Mexican culture.
So to display it as a drunk Mexican costume is disrespectful to the people and the culture of Mexico.
The other costume, such as the naughty nun, is disrespectful to the church and religious foundations that serve God. Many women enter the life of a nun to serve God through a pure life, missionary, and many Catholic services.
It is not okay to disrespect women and their habit that is important to how they serve. Each part of the habit represent different things. The belt is worn as a reminder that Jesus wore chains. The scapular represents commitment to that lifestyle and the veil represents the nun’s consecration. When they cover their hair it is a biblical symbol of adornment. It also reminds them they are not their own but belong entirely to God.
Many think of costumes as harm-free, but children believe that negative nature is right.
When a child sees a Halloween costume of a specific culture, they will not be able to respect the culture as it should be. People should realize that what they do and what they dress up as can have a negative connotation towards others. So this should be the end of disrespecting cultures and traditions.
We should no longer wear costumes that are disrespectful towards others and their traditions.
Priscilla Vargas
Opinions Columnist