(Un)common sense explained at diversity office event

On October 29, the USC Aiken Diversity Office held (UN)Common sense in Penland 110, where the definition of “cultural appropriation” and the issues behind it were explained. They showed just how easy it is to offend others by our choice of wardrobe and do’s and don’ts of celebrating Halloween.

The dos of Halloween included choosing costumes that express your personality no matter whom or what you decide to be, while the don’ts explained how far to take it. Some of the examples given included the common mistake of many people wearing blackface to portray your favorite basketball player, as well as alternately wearing white face to portray a Chinese geisha. Both are unbelievably offensive and appropriate both cultures.

There have been instances of wildly inappropriate costumes portraying victims such as Trayvon Martin, Ann Franklin and basketball player Ray Rice and his girlfriend, whom he abused.

Some attendees were surprised to know that dressing as a Native American or even as a Hawaiian hula dancer is also outstandingly disrespectful because, these costumes are knockoffs of their traditional wardrobe and do not carry the historic factor of why they are even being worn.

This ICE event had other “did you knows” and thought-provoking questions that many people haven’t considered before.

The messages delivered were for people to be mindful of the history behind a costume, how it is portrayed and if it is disrespectful.