What Are You Going to Be For Halloween? Part 3 of 3

People who know me as a feminist will ask, “What do you think about the scantily clad costumes females wear during Halloween? Do you think that that is okay?”

An individual woman who makes a choice to wear something that is revealing is not the real issue.  The sexy costumes that societies make a pitch for, manufacture, and manipulate females into believing they have to wear is the main issue.  Any woman can and should be able to choose how they want to present themselves on any night of the year, including Halloween.  However, society values an aesthetic that highly sexualizes her in order for her to be seen as appropriate.  How can we then blame her for choosing something that we have manufactured (both in clothing and in value) for her to wear?

I don’t have a problem with women choosing to wear scant clothing on Halloween.  They are adults and should be able to make their own choices.  However, girls who are dressed, usually by their parents, in princess costumes are more of a concern to me.  These seemingly innocuous costumes are pretty and sweet, but what messages do they convey? 

Princess costumes remind me of the traditional ideal of being female.  She should be docile, quiet, and needy.  They also remind me that they all need a man in order to be fully alive, like in Snow White.  Is that the message we want to imbed in a female’s mind?  Some may say, “Yes!”  I, think not.  That is a more dangerous outfit than that of a sexy cop. The sexy adult female cop is able to make her own choice, whereas a little girl has no power over the commercial, societal, and parental pressure.

 Speaking of pressure, boys are pressured into some sort of action hero by most commercialized costumes.  While sitting in Times Square a week ago, I noticed several ads for girls dressed in princess outfits and boys dressed in action heroes from recent movies.  Do boys have to be action oriented, aggressive, and angry?  I think not.
 
To sum it up, women who wear sexy costumes can make their own decisions within the limits of what society offers, unless she were to sew her own outfit.  Either way, I don’t have a problem with whatever she wants to present herself in.  Princess outfit for girls are a no go for me, unless we also offer a more balanced choice including action oriented, heroines.

I am not dressing up for Halloween this year as I spent most of time thinking about this blog.  What are you going to be for Halloween?

What Are You Going to Be for Halloween? Part 2 of 3

There are so many choices to choose from when it comes to costumes! 

I recently went to Party City in Bay Plaza, Bronx, NY with my son that he could pick out a costume.  While there, I noticed that some costumes were not about characters, but more about racial stereotypes. 

Whatever you choose to be for Halloween, I hope that you consider being more than a stereotype.

Check out this link to read more:
http://www.theroot.com/views/stop-racist-halloween-costumes

What Are You Going to Be for Halloween? Part 1 of 3

Except Once a Year:
When I was a child, I was all kinds of confused.  My mama tried her best to raise me right, but society seemed to create a rub.  She told me to always be myself, no matter what.  She also encouraged me to not speak to strangers, ask for a hand out, nor play tricks on people.  However, when I went to school, I learned that once a year people of all ages were encouraged to be someone else.  In fact, the more they could look and act like someone else, the more valued they were.  In addition, people also were encouraged to speak to strangers and ask them for candy.  And the most disturbing thing I learned in school was that if someone didn't give me candy or the kind of candy I wanted, I could play tricks on them.  I was so confused.

Today, as an adult, I am still confused.  I don't understand why we work so hard to convince people to be themselves, be nice to others and never ask for handouts, except once a year for Halloween.

Just something to ponder.

I'm Coming Out!

October 11th is National Coming Out Day. It is a great day for those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, or Questioning (LGBTQ) to come out to folks who they think will be supportive to them. However, if you are straight, you should know this day is for you as well!

Straight people can come out as supporters to the cause by telling their straight friends and colleagues that today is National Coming Out Day. They can tell people to support marriage equality, stop saying, "That's so gay," and unpack some of their own heterosexism or internalized homophobia.

For more information, please visit the following links:

http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/national-coming-out-day/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna-red-wing/national-coming-out-day-t_b_1952576.html

http://abcnews.go.com/US/national-coming-day-moments-lgbt-history/story?id=17445009

What about the White Guys?

Ever hear white heterosexual men complain that there isn't a White History Month, a Straight Pride Parade, nor a rally about men's rights?

Well, if you are upset about that, check out this video by a white heterosexual man.

Columbus Day: Not Everyone Does It

In NYC, many people are celebrating in the streets as the Columbus Day Parade is about to launch.  This may seem like a time honored tradition, but did you know that it was declared a federal holiday less than 100 years ago in 1937?

Also, did you know that not all states in the US celebrate Columbus Day? 

Alaska, South Dakota and Hawaii don't observe Columbus Day at all.  Furthermore, many counties, cities and towns have renamed this day to honor another part of his-story, aptly named, "Indigenous People's Day" or "Native American Day."

Not everyone does it, but I challenge you today to honor the many generations of people who respected and honored this land long before Columbus sailed his ships.

You can watch the video below to reconsider, reflect and then repost. 

Reconsider Columbus Day:

Gangnam Style: A Commentary on Classism

Have you read Open City Mag's article about the popular song Gangnam Style by PSY?
See link below.

According to this article, the song and video is a social commentary about the
economic inequities in Korea. I liken it to the consciousness raising efforts of the US's Occupy Wall Street.

Please take a peek at the article and let me know what you think.

http://opencitymag.com/beyond-the-horse-dance-viral-vid-gangnam-style-critiques-koreas-extreme-inequality/

Reflect, Reconsider, and Remind Others About the Truth Behind Columbus Day

This week, I have been reminding students that day and evening classes at the college have been cancelled for Monday, October 8th.  Almost all the students smile and express gratitude for the reprieve.  Some students get excited as they share their three day weekend plan with me.  Some express excitement about the upcoming Holiday Sales!

I, on the other hand, will not be enjoying the traditional American holiday known as Columbus Day nor am I interested in participating in the ongoing sales offered by corporate America.

I will, however, be reflecting, reconsidering and reminding others about the truth behind this holiday. 

Please join me in this endeavor by sending people to this blog/video.

Please watch and "Reconsidering Columbus Day" on Youtube by clicking this link or clicking the video below.  You can also post, tweet, or blog about this and comment on this blog below.

Whatever you do with your Monday, please do reflect, reconsider, and remind others about how we, as a nation, owe a great debt to the indigenous people of this land.

Videos For and By Men

I am inspired by men who speak out against sexism and mysogyny, especially in video form.  It is something that I have yet to do, but I plan on it within the next year.

Below are three of my favorites.  Please enjoy.


"As With Most Men" - Mark Gonzales

"Slip of the Tongue" - Adriel Luis

"Male Characters in Hollywood" - Jackson Katz