This is NOT Who I am,

and it is NOT okay!

“Confronting Dysconscious Racism in Halloween Costumes”

Role of Diversity: Sharyn Miller

Diversity Development Workshop:

Tina Gov, Lena Vanda, Laura Clark, Crystal Murugia, & Jenni

Cachiaras

Introduction to Workshop::

• Guidelines for Activity• Creating the Environment

Learning Outcomes:• Increase student’s awareness of subtle racism, while

appreciating cultural differences

• Students will become knowledgeable on how Halloween costumes with a racial bent can offend cultural groups or individuals on college campuses

• Give students the opportunity to critically reflect on their perceptions of Dysconscious Racism.

• Help demystify stereotypes and prejudices by providing educational information and reasons for change that will allow students to understand that we have unconsciously absorbed certain types of racism.

Definitions:

• Stereotypes• Racism

• Dysconscious Racism

African American:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfiNT6AKG0s&feature=player_embedded#!

• Blackface• created a

stereotyped caricature of a black person.

• “Ghetto Fabulous”

Latina/o:

• Good of White VS. Devaluation of the racial other

• Job Attainment

Middle Eastern:

• Marginalized group• Misperception post

9/11• Micro-aggression

Asian:

• Popular Halloweens Costumes

• Cause for Concern• Hollywood’s

Stereotypical Asian Women

Native American:

• History of “Squaw” Dress

• Negative Effects on gender

• Perception of Cowboys & Indians

Dysconscious Racism:

• Occurs on a Continuum: – celebrity portrayals– “role” portrayals

– generic portrayals

• All three types rely on stereotypes to guide their portrayals

How Far is too Far?

Humor does not “trump” offensiveness. Just because a costume may produce a comic effect, does not give free license to use degrading stereotypes, regardless of the holiday or occasion.

If something doesn’t feel quite right about the costume, chances are, it could be offensive to others.

The public has taken a fancy to costumes that make a statement, these costumes are viewed as racist or anti-Semitic.

HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=MNDTXLWSN-8

Ohio University Group Speaks Out Against Racially Offensive Halloween Costumes On CNN

Suggestions for Creating Safer

Campuses:• Be sure to avoid changing

your features in a way that’s offensive.

• This means not wearing blackface to be President Obama or taping your eyes so that they slant if you’re dressing up as Bruce Lee.

• Go as a Particular Person• Wear a Mask• Avoid Stereotypical Costumes

Wrapping Up:

• Incorporating pictures which address stereotypes into anti bias activities helps students develop skills in visual literacy and critical thinking and provides a foundation upon which students and teachers can begin to build acceptance of and respect diverse cultures.

• When choosing Halloween costumes with a racial bent, err on the side of caution. You’ll be less likely to offend if you dress up as a specific person rather than an anonymous member of a racial group.

Questions:

• Don’t TRICK the Mind, TREAT the Mind

References:Adams, M. Blumenfeld, W.J., Vsdtaneda, R., Hackman, H.W., Peters, M.l., & Zuniga, X. (Eds.) (2010). Readings for diversity and social justice, 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.

Mueller, J., Dirks, D., & Picca, L. (2007). Unmasking racism: Halloween costuming and engagement of the racial other. Qualitative sociology, 30(3), 315-335.

Education (and) Halloween. (n.d). In teaching tolerance: A project of southern poverty law center. What do halloween costumes say? online. Retrieved from http://www.tolerance.org/activity/what-do-halloween-costumes- say

Stereotypes (and) Activities. (n.d). In discovery education: Understanding stereotypes online. Retrieved from http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/understanding-stereotypes.cfm

Parezo, N.J., Jones, A.R. (2009). What’s in a name? The 1940s-1950s “squaw dress”. The American Indian Quarterly, 33 (3), 373-404

Reid, L. D., & Foels, R. (2010). Cognitive complexity and the perception of subtle racism. Basic & Applied Social Psychology, 32(4), 291- 301.

Seto, T. (1995). Multiculturalism is not halloween. Horn book magazine, 71(2), 169-175.

Shammas, Diane S. (2009). Post- 9/11 Arab and Muslim American community college students: ethno-religious enclaves and perceived discrimination. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 33: 283–308.

Shawver, Sam. (2011, September 9). Middle Eastern students grow up, adjust to life after 9/11. The Marietta Times. 2011, December 21. http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content. detail/id/538529/Middle-Eastern-students-grow-up--adjust-to-life-after-9- 11.html?nav= 5234

Stereotypes. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from Dictionary.com website:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stereotypes