Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays because I love dressing up and eating salt water taffy, but looking back at some of my past Halloween costumes, I realize that some of those super cute costumes from Party City may have very well offended specific minority groups that feel that certain Halloween costumes insult cultural practices. Below are some Halloween costumes you should definitely stay away from:

Disney Princesses

Though I loved donning a big yellow dress and a tiara, it simply is not okay to dress up as a character that encourages gender stereotypes of a feminine woman. Teaching children to reflect a book-loving, independent woman or a young girl who is brave enough to venture into an unknown world is absolutely absurd because their typical feminine attire sexualizes and degrades women.

Cop

Today, I would never allow my brother to dress up as a police officer, a protective servant of our country, because he could offend an individual that has felt victimized.

Superhero

This year, I am advising my little cousin to steer away from Batman and Spiderman costumes because they encourage idealistic expectations of men and women.

Football Player

You really should not be dressing up as a sports star because a select few, along with inspiring athletic achievements, have been jailed for drugs, alcohol and other sorts of abuse.

Pirate

Dressing up as a bygone figure of mischief is simply absurd because pirates carry swords and, therefore, promote violence.

Alien

I hope that I don’t see any ET costumes this year because that would be overstepping some very real boundaries and into the cosmic territories of cultural appropriation.

A Bunny, Or Any Animal

The animal kingdom is full of its own unique and complex traditions built of natural instinct and we really shouldn’t try and infringe on that delicate balance with skimpy tops and bunny ears.

Skeleton

You really wouldn't want to offend the dead, would you?