Analysis Of What Can We Dress As? By Osamudia James

What Can We Dress As? Osamudia James' commentary "Can a white child dress as a Halloween character from another race" brings up the now-controversial topic of appropriating another race or culture. James argues a costume not only depends on avoiding stereotypes and discrimination but also white supremacy. Ideally, a person would avoid white supremacy and discrimination in choosing their costume, but I find it very hard to picture a costume which does not capitalize on stereotypes in one way or another. Throughout the paper James makes false (untrue) statements which do not adhere to regular logic. Somehow, she relates white supremacy to Halloween in a maniacal manner. Her might point Without stereotypes, we have nothing to base Halloween costumes on. If not for stereotypes, what can you base a costume on? For example, if you want to dress up as a mummy for Halloween, do you not base your costume on a common representation of a mummy? …show more content…
James picks and chooses the costumes she deems appropriate for. James assumes that any questionable costume will automatically offend someone. I myself barely pay attention to or care what other people wear for Halloween. One of a child's favorite memories can come from "trick or treating" on Halloween. Why, then, has this transformed into a holiday when we avoid offense at all cost? Children themselves enjoy dressing up in unique decorations (adornments) to express themselves and have fun, not to offend others. If anything, we should teach offended children that costumes result not from the author's supposed "white supremacy" but from creativity (and