Why You Should Rethink Your Halloween Costume This Year
Time to read: under 4 minutes
Chantal Chagnon is a Cree Ojibwe Métis singer, drummer, artist, storyteller, actor, educator, workshop facilitator, social justice advocate, and activist with roots in Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan.
She shares traditional Indigenous songs, stories, culture, history, arts, crafts and teachings and has worked with Arts Commons to share a love of traditional drumming, drum-making, and storytelling. She has also introduced young people to Indigenous culture through her work as an educator.
Chantal has presented at conferences, conventions, galas, fundraisers, community, social justice events and in classrooms from preschool through University. She has performed at the National Music Centre, Saddledome, Jubilee Auditorium, Jack Singer Concert Hall, and many other stages showcasing traditional and contemporary Indigenous music, as well as modern music in collaboration with various bands and artists. Chantal aims to entertain, engage, enlighten, educate, and inspire everyone she meets.
For this Halloween season, Chantal shares her insight on costumes and how you can thoughtfully select your Halloween costume from a place of cultural understanding and empathy.
Why is dressing up as a stereotype from another culture hurtful?
Typically, stereotypes are the worst depictions of a cross section of society. When we look at cultural stereotypes in particular, they reinforce negative perceptions of racialized people. Knowing the background and challenges faced by these communities brings light to why wearing cultural costumes can be so insidious. For example, when we look at First Nations or Native costumes they reinforce either an objectification of Indigenous women or the commodification of Indigenous sacred objects.
Costumes that embody the hyper-sexualization and fetishization of Indigenous women and girls feeds into our greater societal issue of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S), dehumanizes those who have been taken from us, and delegitimizes the larger problems we face. Appropriation of Sacred Artifacts and cultural regalia can significantly contribute to oppression, for example, headdresses are Sacred Artifacts that carry ceremonial significance and great responsibility to Indigenous communities. In fact, some communities are still fighting lengthy legal battles with museums and governments to reclaim Sacred Artifacts and bring them home to those families and societies that should rightfully be carrying them.
It’s important to understand that regalia is not a costume, but it’s an extension of identity, it’s the embodiment of who we are, our teaching, our families, and our stories in physical form. For many generations it was illegal to wear our regalia, share stories, songs, culture or practice ceremony. The fact that these aspects of our being remain shows the resiliency of Indigenous people and how important it is to recognize that dark history.
Many racialized groups are still striving for recognition, equality, and justice. Costumes of racialized people or groups are problematic because they are demeaning and often make fun of racialized groups or people. Wearing costumes that enforce these negative and untrue stereotypes is not only hurtful, but disrespectful and damaging. They disregard and dishonour the dark past that many are still impacted by, are still recovering from, and the healing journey we have to take together as a society.
What sort of questions can I ask myself around my costume concept to determine if it perpetuates negative stereotypes?
Things to take into account when looking at costume concepts, specifically cultural costume concepts, is to ask yourself:
Is it truthful?
Is it helpful?
Is it kind?
Is it respectful?
Is this my culture?
Am I benefiting from the oppression of this cultural group?
Am I helping or hindering the advancement of the knowledge and understanding of this racialized group?
Would I be comfortable surrounded by a group of racialized people that this costume depicts?
What would someone of this cultural background think of this depiction and how would it make them feel?
How would I feel if someone depicted my cultural background, family or community in this way?
If we feel uncomfortable asking those questions, we should dig deeper into the greater issues we are facing. Small things can make a huge impact, something as simple as a costume can cause irreparable damage to racialized groups and the way they are perceived. It negates the progress and work we have done to eradicate ignorance within our society.
Is it okay if I buy a packaged costume?
Chances are, when you're looking at pre-packaged costumes they do not take cultural sensitivity in to account. Those funds are probably not going to the racialized groups that they are depicting, and they are not doing the work to understand the damaging aspects of colonization and commodification of culture. They just want to make a buck, and have no concept of the damage that they are doing.
When looking at pre-packaged costumes of superheroes for example, they pay royalties to those companies for the likeness they use. On the other hand when using or appropriating cultural likenesses, they are not paying those families, those communities, those Nations, or those organizations supporting racialized individuals but are actively damaging those racialized groups. Where we shop, how we buy and what we buy shape and mould future offerings and our society.
Follow the money, look at the concept, and if you determine that the respect, cultural sensitivity, and understanding within that package does not exist, don't buy it.
Where can I look for inspiration for a positive costume concept?
Positive costume concepts could include people who are making a difference in their communities. Change makers, warriors, heroes, look to your own background and inspirations to see who motivates you to do better. There are a plethora of characters, animals, and concepts that avoid any discrimination, stick with those. Be creative, it's a big world with lots to explore, understand, and share. Have fun, but not at the expense of others.
