Halloween is just around the corner, so expect to start hearing sermons from members of the Woke Army about what you are and are not allowed to do. Seems a good moment to re-up this:https://twitter.com/HeatherEHeying/status/991718586325454848 …
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OK. I think that is fair. What about the Indian Headdress? This is quite common, a clear example of cultural appropriation and considered similarly racist by many indigenous people, arguing it is a reflection of old "Cowboys and Indians" stereotypes.
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This warrants more than twitter allows, but Halloween is America's Carnaval (which is deeper, richer, older than Mardi Gras). Carnaval is about reversing power relations, exploring the liminal, trying on other identities. Borrowing, in this context, is often celebratory.
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I get that. Again, call it "good fun" or celebratory. Nonetheless, when such appropriation occurs and it is considered racist by the objectified group, it seems to me that a change in costume is warranted. Traditions change as a community changes. That is a good thing.
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Traditions do change, yes--culture evolves, in part through borrowing. But trying to change culture with authoritarian tactics, even when those tactics are used by historically oppressed groups, rarely works. Rather, force sends behavior underground, where it grows, unseen.
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But here we are talking about Halloween costumes not some underground cult. I think you are missing the most basic point: some of these costumes are genuinely offensive. There are far better arguments against political correctness. I find this one superficial.
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'...some of these costumes are genuinely offensive.' (to approx 0.3% of the population; no-one else cares, and instead embrace the sharing of each other's cultures and indeed bond as a result, enjoying even stereotypical portrayals of their own culture, and just HAVING FUN)
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OK. Personally, I prefer not to offend my neighbours no matter how small a minority. If it was something important, I might be convince.
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