This Halloween, the White Noise Collective conspired to take creative action to counteract the unquestioned, blatant, “it’s-just-a-joke-can’t-you-have-a-little-fun!?!” racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and cultural appropriation that parade as “costumes” in consumerist capitalist culture. Drawing on our Liberate Halloween Action Kit from last year, this year we came up with a design-your-own creative costume station, with the intention of setting up in front of a local Spirit Halloween store (one of the most obvious corporations perpetuating oppressive stereotypes through the mass sale of highly offensive costumes). We would invite people to our station, distribute literature about cultural appropriation and the harms of choosing an offensive or oppressive costume for Halloween, and provide an opportunity for people to tap into their own creativity and create their own alternative (free) costume!
The idea for this action emerged from our October Dialogue, which focused on “moving toward action” in the face of the anticipated “horrors of October” (“Columbus Day” and Halloween being the two most egregious examples). At our dialogue we discussed various ways to take action as individuals (from conversations with family, colleagues, and neighbors to actions or events in our various social and professional circles), but wanted to expand our reach and envision a way to take action collectively. We designed our creative action to draw people in, inspire positivity and creativity, and avoid blaming and shaming as an organizing or influencing strategy.
Only one thing got in our way: private property.
Within 90 seconds of setting up our station, we were informed by private security guards that the entire shopping mall (including sidewalks, streets, and even our very own truck bed!) was private property. No activity that had the potential to “distract customers or draw their attention [away from consuming!]” was allowed without permits and permission from the manager of the property. Talk about spooky…
Disappointingly, we packed our “Liberate Halloween” banner and copious supplies of cardboard, paint, glitter, fabric, buttons, and supplies back into the truck.
But we would not be foiled! We used our collective energy to plaster the Spirit Halloween store with Warning Labels on endless offensive costumes, and slipped over 50 1-page Cultural Appropriation zines into the most racist costume bags.
For a selection of our work, check out this brief video of us in action and explore the images below. Be prepared, in true Halloween fashion, to be totally horrified.
General appropriation that stigmatizes or exotifies (Rap Star Afro, Suga Mac Daddy, Rasta Banana, Senor Death, Taco, Geisha):
Specific appropriation of Native themes (Indian Princess, Wild Frontier, Indian Warrior, Reservation Royalty, Luau Dress, Tonto):
Glamorization of incarceration (Convict Cutie, First Time Offender) :
Unnecessarily sexy (Racy Red Riding Hood, Desert Dolly, Mafia Mama, School Girl Crush):
