Loyalist students are unhappy with offensive Halloween costumes

By Julia Lennips

BELLEVILLE – Loyalist College student government policy for pub Halloween costumes is strict, and more public this year.

Scott Rook, the president of Loyalist student government, says the policy was based on different things they’ve seen in the past.

“It’s been made very clear right in the admittance policy to please choose your costume respectfully. Those found distasteful will not be allowed entry into the event,” says Rook.

The policy is, in part, a reflection of changing attitudes amongst students at Loyalist College.

Jordan Brant, a Loyalist student from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, says costumes that stereotype Indigenous people feels like a slap to the face from costume stores.

“Mohawk people from around here don’t wear headdresses or we don’t wear full leather dresses, we wear ribbon shirts and ribbon dresses.”

Brant says he doesn’t think people intend to be offensive with their costumes.

“It’s kind of how they were brainwashed to think that it’s okay to dress how we traditionally used to dress. It’s not offensive by the people wearing them, but it’s offensive by the companies that are making these costumes.”

He says people are crossing a line to put on a costume that Indigenous people were not allowed to wear themselves.

“Seeing somebody dressed up like they want to be us is kind of like reverse psychology because of residential schools. It’s kind of funny how people can dress like that in costumes, but we’re not allowed to study that as traditional Mohawk people.”

Rawan Youssef, a film and television production student of Egyptian background, says seeing people dressed up as someone from her culture is upsetting because it’s not a costume.

“It’s ridiculous. It’s really ridiculous because it’s an identity and you are taking this identity which is somebody’s whole world, and you’re turning it into a costume. You’re putting it on and taking it off the next day, you know what I mean? Something about that is just so unacceptable to me.”

She says she draws the line when you dress up as a culture versus a specific person. Role models like Moana and Black Panther she said were acceptable.

Youssef says she thinks more people are cracking down when it comes to offensive costumes, however there is still a lack of awareness on the subject amongst some people.

“There’s a higher level of intolerance, but there’s always going to be those people who will be a cute native girl. There will always be those people.”