As advances in communication and technology blur the lines between nation, race, and geography, the concept of cultural appropriation has gained traction in a mainstream audience. Defined by Richard A. Rogers in a paper written for the Northern Arizona University as “the use of a culture’s symbols, artifacts, genres, rituals, or technologies by members of another culture,” cultural appropriation has led various ethnic groups to cry foul at instances they feel either stereotype or reduce their roots.

1. The Rise in Awareness
Regarding Culturally
Appropriating
Costumes
Disguises, LLC
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2. As advances in communication and technology blur the lines between nation, race, and
geography, the concept of cultural appropriation has gained traction in a mainstream
audience. Defined by Richard A. Rogers in a paper written for the Northern Arizona
University as “the use of a culture’s symbols, artifacts, genres, rituals, or technologies by
members of another culture,” cultural appropriation has led various ethnic groups to cry
foul at instances they feel either stereotype or reduce their roots.
Moreover, self-appointed “culture cops” pillory and label artists, celebrities, and even
ordinary people who appropriate a cultural aspect as their own. For instance, Actress
Amandla Stenberg once called out Kylie Jenner for wearing cornrows. Meanwhile, critics
put Vanessa Hudgens in hot water for using religious or cultural symbols, such as a bindi
and a dreamcatcher, as accessories in various music festivals and events.
Reinforcing Negative Power Structures
Susan Scafidi, Fordham University professor and author of Who Owns Culture:
Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law, says that dressing up as a culture,
especially one that was subjugated in the past or is currently oppressed, “reinforces
current power structures in an offensive way.” So, while society deems it okay to come
to costume parties as celebrities, cops, and other powerful figures for entertainment,
things can get personal when people dress up as a culture.

3. Culturally Sensitive Dressing
As issues about cultural appropriation surface, people are dressing up more mindfully for
costume parties, particularly on Halloween. The Undergraduate Government of Boston
College, for instance, launched a “Dress with Respect” campaign that encouraged
students to take into account whether a costume could be seen as culturally insensitive.
Zootown Arts Community Center in Montana, on the other hand, plans to organize a
community conversation on cultural appropriation vs. appreciation. This is to listen to
thoughts, concerns, and ideas that may help the community improve and evolve their
knowledge on both topics.
In terms of Halloween costumes and party ensembles, Anna Akbari, PhD, a sociologist
and founder of Sociology of Style recommends dressing up as a mythical creature, or
someone from an extinct or dominant culture. According to her, if it’s something that
doesn’t exist in real life, that’s a safer zone. Those in power in majority cultures are also
a fair game.

4. References:
http://disguisescostumes.com
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rar/papers/RogersCT2006.pdf
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/the-dos-and-donts-of-
cultural-appropriation/411292/
http://www.refinery29.com/2015/10/95646/halloween-cultural-appropriation
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/vanessa-hudgens-accused-of-cultural-
appropriation-for-wearing-braids-a7378346.html
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/amandla-stenberg-calls-out-kylie-jenner-cultural-
appropriation
http://bcheights.com/news/2016/ugbcs-dress-respect-campaign-featured-fox-news-
segment/
http://missoulian.com/zacc-nonprofit-that-organizes-the-festival-on-meaning-
offerings/article_06c4ce28-9a00-5eea-8377-e206cd1c5bb5.html