It’s OK for kids to dress up evil for Halloween

A recent article in the New York Times (“Drop the Halloween Mask! It Might Scare Someone“) reported how, “in some classrooms across the country, the interpretation of what is too scary – or offensive, gross or saddening – is now also leading to an abundance of caution and some prohibitions” on what kids can “be” at Halloween.

The story reproduced a memo from a principal at a Los Angeles school that outlined what was OK for kids to dress up as:

• They should not depict gangs or horror characters, or be scary.

• Masks are allowed only during the parade.

• Costumes may not demean any race, religion, nationality, handicapped condition or gender.

• No fake fingernails.

• No weapons, even fake ones.

• Shoes must be worn.

Ethan Gildorf from Geek Pride has made a good analysis of these “guidelines” in his blog, pointing the extremism of some who try to “avoid traumatizing” kids.

Here’s the link to the article published in his blog.

Do you agree?

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