The Lobster Dance

Content note: contains images of a racist and sexualized costumes.

Spirit Halloween always gets a mention on my Feminist Halloween series in the costume fail category because of their racist, sexist costumes. This year, when Spirit Halloween asked Zooey Roy, an Indigenous woman in Saskatoon, to leave after complaining about the Indigeneous-inspired (read: racist and appropriative) costumes the store stocks. Chris Kortright and the Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism decided to take action by taping warning labels on the costumes:

Image: Spirit Halloween adult costume with a low-cut beaded leather dress with fringe and a headband with three feathers and beading: “Reservation Royalty.” The package has a warning label on it (see below for text). Image via Facebook

Image of a warning label: “Warning: The items contained in this package are offensive and promote the sexualisation of Indigenous women and peoples. Please avoid contact with these dangerous materials.” Reverse side reads, “There are well-over 4000 missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. An inquiry is being pursued to address this issue. It takes everyone in Canada to fight against sexualised violence. That starts with outfits of this nature. https://nwac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Fact_Sheet_Missing_and_Murdered_Aboriginal_Women_and_Girls” Via Facebook 

Meanwhile, Spirit Halloween Canada doesn’t get it at all:

“Understanding certain sensitivities, we always strive to present our costumes in a responsible and respectful manner,” she said. “While we respect the opinion of those who are opposed to the sale of any cultural or historical costumes, we are proud of our costume selection for men, women and children.”

“We have no plans to remove Indigenous themed costumes from our shelves.” – Buzzfeed

Just like every single year. But don’t worry, Spirit Halloween is committed to cultural excellence. That’s why they have this very accurate geisha costume for white women:

Spirit Halloween’s racist and inaccurate geisha costume features a white, blonde model with chopsticks in her hair and a thigh-length peignoir with a lace fan and platform heels. nope nope nope. Source

LOOK AT THAT COMMITMENT TO CULTURE SENSITIVITY. “Keep your guests entertained in this Geisha Gorgeous Adult Womens Costume! Shimmery multi-shaded blue dress with black detail, plunging neckline and elegantly draping sleeves guarantees you’ll have everyone’s attention all night. Chop sticks for hair also included.” KANZASHI ARE NOT CHOPSTICKS OKAY.

Image: Spirit Halloween’s Mexican costume features a white man in a striped poncho with a hat and a huge fake mustache. Source

“Salsa on into Halloween in the Mexican Man Adult Men’s Costume. Start your own fiesta in this vibrantly striped poncho with hysterical black mustache.”

May the Great Pumpkin give you Chapter 11 this holiday season, Spirit Halloween. #Bonsoir

Sources:

“Regina activists place warning labels on Indigenous Halloween costumes”

“This Store Refused To Remove Their ‘Native American’ Costumes So Activists Added Warning Labels”

“Activist Zoey Roy calls for boycott of Spirit Halloween store over Indigenous costumes“