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Why Native American 'Costumes' Are Harmful, So Just Don't

Culture is not a costume.

Lacee Barnell

Oct 31, 2018

University of Oklahoma

195

Why Native American 'Costumes' Are Harmful, So Just Don't

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With October coming to a close, signifying that Halloween is upon us. Every year I see posts of people dressing up as Pocahontas or a generic "Indian Princess". Besides the obvious facts of that type of costume being inappropriate and insensitive to the Native American people as a whole, there are serious consequences that come along with this "costume".

During assimilation in the 1800s, Native Americans were discouraged or even punished for wearing or attempting to use the items of cultural significance now found commonly in Indian Halloween costumes. Tesia Zientek, tribal member and Citizen Potawatomi Nation Department of Education director said that "It's harmful, and it hurts to know that they are getting to use things that our ancestors were not allowed to use and use them in a way that it is inconsistent with our culture, while I don't think individuals intend to be harmful, their actions are."

The acceptance of this "costume" to be sold online and in stores continue to objectify Native Americans. A culture is a way of life for people and is not something someone should try to "pretend to be" for a night. Many Native "costumes" for sale have adjectives associated with them such as "sexy" or "hot," sexualizing the culture as well. This is the most harmful part of the culture is not a costume discussion. I can begin by referencing statistics about how many Native women are sexually assaulted (one in three). The rate of sexual assault is more than twice the national average, stressing the point that dressing up and playing Indian is not a harmless activity.

Native American people are one of the most underrepresented and misunderstood minorities in all of North America. In many situations, the term "Native" is used in the past tense, indicating that Indians no longer exist, but that could not be further from the truth. The best way to bring change, to get rid of Native American stereotypes and racism, is to have discussions and raise awareness. When you see someone at a Halloween party dressed in a Native American "costume" begin a conversation and educate them on why they should not contribute to the further deterioration of the Native culture.

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Why Native American 'Costumes' Are Harmful, So Just Don't

Culture is not a costume.

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

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That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

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Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

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You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

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