Before enjoying the festivities, it is important to know some of the costumes not to wear on Halloween and not leave ignorant.
You may even wonder if the world has become too “boring”, but the answer to the question is simple: no. The new recommendations for costume restrictions not to wear on Halloween are not there to complicate your life, but rather to make you reflect. After all, nowadays, having access to information more freely, as well as different ways of thinking, is proof that nothing came into existence overnight. The invention of social media and cultural debates only brings to light everything that has been covered up for so long.
And these debates are available at any time of the year, but times like Halloween and Carnival make them even more heated. This happens because, every year, the excuse comes up that many people don’t understand or don’t know that a costume can be offensive. However, this type of thinking should not be perpetuated. Even so, many don’t even make a point of listening and trying to change their way of thinking.
Although many do not see problems with certain types of characterization, understanding the context in which you are inserted and the fact that some fantasies are offensive and even criminal is essential. Therefore, learning to think twice before making a decision should be part of your to-do list for the festivities. This way, you find out which costumes you shouldn’t wear on Halloween, and what’s more, you never have to face the embarrassment of doing something that could be hurting someone, even indirectly.
Check below which costumes should not be worn on Halloween, as well as the reasons why they should no longer be a possibility for your characterization of the party.
What are the costumes not to wear on Halloween?
Many of these options may not even be known to you because they are, after all, offensive. Others, however, are so obvious that they will make you realize how absurd some characterizations can be.
1 – Blackface
The case for blackface costumes is both historical and cultural. Apparently, this type of characterization appeared around 1830. The aim was to ridicule black people by painting their faces black, creating grotesque caricatures not only of a people, but also of their customs. In this sense, it is also important to know that, for years, black people were prevented from working in theaters, cinema and television, being replaced by white people with their skin darkened by makeup. The case is just another example of racial segregation.
Likewise, blackface is also related to stereotypes of black female bodies, such as the famous “crazy denial”. This happens because black women are labeled scandalous and angry, and on top of that they are hypersexualized. This type of fantasy also raises the issue of recreational racism, which involves racist humor, propagating racism in a less blatant but still real way.
2 – Controversial historical characters
It is common that, on Halloween, many do their best to appear as scruffy as possible. In this sense, characters from horror films such as Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger, who do not cause any problems, do not come into play. The real problem is dressing up as someone who is a real horror movie: personalities like Adolf Hitler, Ted Bundy and Charles Manson. Or even national names, like Suzane Von Richtofen and Goalkeeper Bruno. When making a costume, it’s important to remember that you are paying homage.
3 – Historical characters out of context
It may seem crazy, but many people, when choosing their Halloween costume, believe it is a good idea to portray characters like Anne Frank. Although this type of fantasy is not the most problematic of all, it is important to understand that, no, this is not a good idea. After all, even though she was an admirable girl, Anne was a Jew living during the Second World War, with parents murdered by Nazism, living in hiding and without her rights due to a totalitarian regime.
4 – Terrorist/Suicide bomber on Halloween
For years, Muslim content creators have used their social media to fight stereotypes toward their people, which are extremely widespread in the West. Therefore, advocating terrorism on Halloween is practically the same thing as dressing up as a controversial character. Likewise, dressing up as a “woman bomber” is absurdly offensive and ignorant to Muslims, Arabs and all families of victims of such cases.
5 – Costumes with religious and cultural symbolism
One of the most famous examples of this case is the actress Alessandra Negrini, who appeared on social media during the 2020 Carnival at home dressed as an indigenous person. The problematization, then, arose from both sides: both from cultural appropriation and from the idea that the actress was paying homage at a time when there was a lot of talk about indigenous genocide. In this sense, it is difficult to know whether the case was right or wrong, since even the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil came to the actress’ defense and help over the years.
In any case, being characterized as gypsy, Hawaiian, Bahian, odalisque women and other options should continue to be avoided. Even though it doesn’t seem offensive, it can still sound offensive to someone from the culture or religion. It’s not difficult to find another type of Halloween costume that won’t offend anyone.
6 – Costumes for LGBTQIA+ people on Halloween
Brazil is the country that kills the most LGBT people in the world. Every 11 pm, a death due to homophobia is recorded. Furthermore, in 2020, the murder of trans people rose to 41%. Either way, sexual orientation and gender identity should not be your fantasies. They are someone’s reality. A reality marked by, in addition to acceptance, suffering in the face of society’s treatment. Their fight shouldn’t be your party accessory.
7 – Fat person costume
In the same way that blackface should no longer happen, thinking that a fat person is a costume is just as unacceptable. This, after all, is simply fatphobia. By dressing like a fat person, you mock their physical condition, making that appearance worthy of jokes, pity and offense. It is important to remember how fat bodies are the main victims of aesthetic and beauty standards.
8 – You dress up as religious figures on Halloween
It’s no news that certain religious figures are literally sacred to thousands of people. In any case, messing with someone’s faith is a delicate matter. It is possible to honor saints and deities in many ways, but certainly not at Halloween parties, especially if it is a “sexy” version.
