“Trick or Treat” Others with Respect

Halloween should and needs to be fun; however, we need to be aware that celebrating Halloween needs to be fun for all. Halloween offers an opportunity to have meaningful conversations about costume choices with colleagues and students and requires consideration. It is important to keep in mind that we need to be sensitive to groups that have been marginalized through mimicry and cultural appropriation during Halloween and other ‘dress up’ events. A few things to keep in mind:

It’s good to keep in mind that the following are NOT Costumes:

RACE (black face/brown face)

CULTURE (Indigenous regalia/dreadlocks)

RELIGIOUS FAITH (religious figures/gods/saints/gurus/hijab)

GENDER (gender switching for humour or to mock)

TRAUMA (hangman’s noose/weapons)