More than a Costume

     As I was exploring the 'Iolani Women in Literature wiki I came across an article titled, "'We're a culture, not a costume' this Halloween" that made me realize how some costumes that people dress up as can be seen as a joke, but also as an insult to others.  I agree with the main statement of the article since costumes like a "white guy wearing a traditional ghutra and iqal over his head, [and] bombs strapped to his chest", can have a negative impact on the Muslim culture and people.  People assume that dressing up as an ethnic stereotype may not hurt anyone physically, but emotionally this simple action can have and has a negative impact on the culture and ethnic groups that these people impersonate. 
     This article provides a great example of how society perceives ethnic cultures in a particular way.  By dressing up in stereotypical costumes society expresses their perspective of that culture.  For some this can be seen as a laughing matter, but for others this can be a nightmare since society's assumptions may not be entirely true of that ethnic group. 
     I even have a personal experience that relates to this article.  Two years ago many people dressed up at school on Halloween.  Walking in the halls of I-building a student wearing a Hijab, a scarf covering her hair and a Chador, which covered her entire body shocked me because I knew that that student had impersonated another whose religion was Muslim.  At first I thought to myself, that girl has guts, but then I thought about the girl who she had impersonated.  Was she okay with this?  Does she even know?  Is this even right?  Come to find out the girl had asked permission and both were okay with it.  However, I believe that this action was not right because of how this custom was disrespected.  Customs should not be taken as a joke.
     In conclusion, I support the ad campaign that members of Ohio University's Students Teaching about Racism in Society are launching or have already launched.  I believe people should think twice before dressing up as an ethnic or racial costume because there can be a negative outcome to their actions.