The Cross Cultural Center at UC Davis strives to support our community by working towards a more just and liberated world. This work includes encouraging compassionate community spaces that provide opportunities for critical consciousness in the choices we make as a community. With this, we want to share some information that can be helpful when making decisions about costumes and theme parties hosted around Halloween time. We invite people to review the information below and visit our photo campaign at the following link: My Culture is not a costume. 

Why Appropriation is Harmful

Wearing costumes that have cultural value to marginalized communities is dehumanizing and disrespects their histories. Stereotyping perpetuates stigmas and leads to discrimination. Large companies profit off of people's cultures and take business away from members of the actual communities. 

Is Your Event Insensitive or Racist?

Before you plan a themed event or party, there are important questions to ask yourself. 

Does the theme of your event or party:

• perpetuate stereotypes, misinformation or historical and cultural inaccuracies?
• reduce cultural differences to jokes or stereotypes?
• make fun of real people, human traits or culture?
• represent a race, ethnicity or culture that is not your own? 
• encourage costumes based on race, ethnicity or culture?

If you answered YES to any of the questions above, your event or party is likely insensitive and/or racist. Please take some time to reevaluate. 

Even if it's unintentional, stereotyping perpetuates stigma and leads to discrimination and harm. 

Please also remember that housing and attending events or parties that are perceived as insensitive and/or racist can leave a permanent digital footprint that can impact the reputation and future employability of you and/or your guests.