Halloween Costumes
We’re so excited to see everyone dressed up in their Halloween best!
From spooky to sweet, Halloween is a great time of the year to express yourself or try on being someone different.
Cakehole is committed to being a safe space for all communities. We work hard to create a space free of discrimination or stigmatization of any group, including, but not limited to, sexuality, gender identity, race, religion, culture, or ethnicity.
With Cakehole's first Halloween party, we want to remind folks to bring the same respect for others as you always do at Cakehole. We ask that attendees not come dressed as any ethnicity, religion, or stereotype of a group of people.
Why? Racially, ethnically, and culturally based costumes are intended to be one of two things, humorous or erotic. They can reinforce stereotypes and stigmas society can have of groups that can welcome more aggressive racist attitudes.
Examples:
If you’re unsure if your costume is appropriate or might be perceived as racist, please reach out to the Cakehole fetlife account or email us at [email protected]
In the past there have been misunderstandings about policies such as this. If you are confused or unsure why we are making this policy, here are a few links to hopefully help understand where this is coming from.
Many thanks to Conduit Enterprises for letting us use their writing from Halloween 2015 as the basis for this policy write-up!
- Cakehole Staff
From spooky to sweet, Halloween is a great time of the year to express yourself or try on being someone different.
Cakehole is committed to being a safe space for all communities. We work hard to create a space free of discrimination or stigmatization of any group, including, but not limited to, sexuality, gender identity, race, religion, culture, or ethnicity.
With Cakehole's first Halloween party, we want to remind folks to bring the same respect for others as you always do at Cakehole. We ask that attendees not come dressed as any ethnicity, religion, or stereotype of a group of people.
Why? Racially, ethnically, and culturally based costumes are intended to be one of two things, humorous or erotic. They can reinforce stereotypes and stigmas society can have of groups that can welcome more aggressive racist attitudes.
Examples:
- Native American garb
- “Oriental costumes”
- Mexican serape and hat
- Religious farce costumes
- Blackface
If you’re unsure if your costume is appropriate or might be perceived as racist, please reach out to the Cakehole fetlife account or email us at [email protected]
In the past there have been misunderstandings about policies such as this. If you are confused or unsure why we are making this policy, here are a few links to hopefully help understand where this is coming from.
- From Everyday Feminism: "Is Your Halloween Costume Racist?" by Kate Lazo
- From Emerson College Voices: “Costumes, candy, and cultural appropriation” by Willie Burnley Jr.
- Taylor See’s “We’re A Culture, Not A Costume” poster series
- From the Huffington Post Blog: “Halloween: The Season for Culturally-Insensitive Fashion” by Nadia Dawisha
- From Indian Country Today Media Network: “The Perils of Culturally Appropriative Halloween Costumes” by Kyle Dlaakaw.éesh Wark
- For some lulz & inspiration: From Feministing: "Some Non-Racist, Non-Sexist Costume Ideas"
Many thanks to Conduit Enterprises for letting us use their writing from Halloween 2015 as the basis for this policy write-up!
- Cakehole Staff