Minor Update.

[alephz]

Hey, all.

Remember when not too long ago, I posted briefly about the " We're a culture, not a costume" posters and how awesome they were?

Predictably, there's been some backlash (oh, wait, "parody" because it's totally ironic, you gaiz) started in which dogs, vampires, daleks and other non-real non-humans feature in the roles previously held by

Comments

[cadetsandkings]

That guy makes me think of Seth Rogan. That over the top "I'm talking like the X Factor announcer because I'm FUNNY and also PITHY and SARCASTIC and also SELF RIGHTEOUS" voice made me want to reach through my screen and punch him right in the kisser! Then of course you listen to the words (er, I dont' recommend it) and well... needless to say "heck with that guy" was probably the best response.

I didn't see the original post but god, those are really cool (original) posters. Not loving the meme.

[alephz]

I know, right? I mean, talk about your great ideas for breaking down the ugliness that is the "ha-ha, non-white people are HILARIOUS and also the exact same thing as not-real-people" phenomenon.

And then, of course, some assholes gotta basically illustrate that whole phenomenon using the meme created to fight it.

[jabber]

Man... For me Halloween was always about "memento mori". The whole idea of alter egoism is offensive to me, but stereotyping and oversexualization of young girls are both a hideous thing.

[alephz]

I know I should be steering this back towards how really fucked it is that people are trying to equate actual people with animals and fictitious creatures.

That said;

I'm dead curious as to what you mean about "the idea of alter egoism" being offensive.

[jabber]

You're totally right - dressing up as fictional characters is fun and largely harmless, unless those characters themselves somehow stereotypify. Dressing up to embody a stereotype, or to caricature a group, is deeply offensive - and claiming that "it's all in good fun" is blatant privilege.

My (personal) dislike of Halloween, the American holiday, is due to it grating up against All Saints Day. Nov 1, to me, is a day of remembrance of the deceased but in today's US culture that is completely occluded by fun and candy. Not entirely a bad trade, until you see all the little kids running around dressed as "sexy XYZ". Completely not on topic with the community, sorry, but offensive still.

[alephz]

I can imagine it's not the first time he's made a LOT of people ashamed to declare that they share any qualities with him at all.

[rime_r]

That was my reaction too.

[jestingrabbit]

I'd say getting a reaction from racist dirt bags is a pretty good indication that the ads are having some penetration and getting their message across. So, that's a good thing.

You might also want to take a look at this article

http://www.styleite.com/media/world-war-ii-evacuee-costume/

Unsurprisingly, its not okay when its white people!!

In response to that atheist dude's video

[annwfyn]

You know, I think for quite a lot of PoC, the constant and relentless stereotyping reinforced by those kind of Halloween costumes is probably more directly relevant to their lives right now than a bunch of people camping out in Wall Street.