8 “Arab” Halloween Costumes You Should Never Wear
BY: Nisreen Eadeh/Arab America Contributing Writer
Halloween season is back, and with it comes a myriad of costumes that offend all types of minority ethnic and religious groups in America.
Every Halloween, social media gets flooded with images of costumes that disgracefully play off stereotypes or make costumes out of normal attire. This year, there are a few costume choices that should not be selected. These are costumes that poke fun at terrorism, normal clothing that many Arabs wear, and stereotypes so old they’re not even funny.
Instead of choosing a costume from this list, pick one that’s fictional or spooky. Halloween is about having fun and a good scare, not mocking the culture and traditions of people who are different from you.
Here are 8 “Arab” costumes that should not be worn this Halloween:
1. “Sexy Muslim Middle Eastern Girl”
Another controversial costume this year has been a sexy burka look for women. Included is a short, tight, black dress, along with a head covering that hides every part of the head except the eyes.
2. “Arab Costume”
Very little creativity went into the name and design of this costume. It’s simply a white thobe with sunglasses, a fake goatee, and a red-and-white-checkered headscarf, presumably intended to resemble the Jordanian keffiyeh. For an added touch of insensitivity, this costume is also advertised with “brown face” face paint to give costume-wearers a darker skin tone.
3. “Child Arabian Sheik”
This is the exact same costume for men called “Arab costume,” but for a child. One difference is that this one comes with a mustache instead of a goatee.
4. “Israeli Soldier”
This costume caused controversy last year when parents saw it being sold at Wal-Mart. But the Israeli Defense Forces uniform is back on Amazon’s website for Halloween. This offensive costume isn’t Arab, but it glorifies the unjust occupation and murder of Arabs who have been victims of the IDF. (Sidenote: The kid in this photo looks miserable, which could be a sign of how awful this costume is).
5. “Ride a Camel”
Exhibiting an Arab riding a camel is a bit too close to the ethnic slur “camel jockey,” don’t you think?
6. “White Arab Goddess Sexy”
It’s not clear what the “white” part of this costume refers to. Is it her dress, her skin, or her blonde wig? Either way, there’s literally nothing Arab about this costume.
7. “Arabian Prince Fancy Dress”
This costume is for men who are looking to dress “fancy” this Halloween. However, it is not at all Arab, mostly because it is Indian Sikhs who wear turbans, not Arabs. And the purple vest and red pants seem like an outfit drawn up by Walt Disney himself.
8. “Arab Sheik Nose”
Please never buy a big fake nose to wear with any of these costumes. Only Arabs can make fun of their noses – no one else!
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