Good point about racial and ethnic objectification/appropriation in Hallowe'en costumes for kids. I don't know if this is still a popular "costume," but when I was young, dressing like a "gypsy" was a favourite.
Very interesting combinations of layers of othering - dress kids up in totally inaccurate dress associated with cultures that are seen as different, exotic and inferior, if you're dressing up girls, make sure that you're also using highly sexualised sterotypes, and then send the kids out to beg and/or threaten on a night where things are supposed to be scary.
Oh, and let's ignore the fact that for at least some people, the day in question is still a religious festival devoted to either honouring or placating the spirits of the dead.
I just love the North American culture, don't you? Not.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2007-10-30 06:22 pm (UTC)Very interesting combinations of layers of othering - dress kids up in totally inaccurate dress associated with cultures that are seen as different, exotic and inferior, if you're dressing up girls, make sure that you're also using highly sexualised sterotypes, and then send the kids out to beg and/or threaten on a night where things are supposed to be scary.
Oh, and let's ignore the fact that for at least some people, the day in question is still a religious festival devoted to either honouring or placating the spirits of the dead.
I just love the North American culture, don't you? Not.