There comes a time in every trick-or-treater’s life when he or she must learn a very sad and important truth. This truth has been so abused and normalized that it’s hard to detect, especially for this nation’s youth. You see, almost every kid has grown up with Thanksgiving parades or plays at school where everyone dresses as pilgrims or “Indians.” There are feathers for the headdresses and fake tomahawks to play with. This marks the beginning of institutionalized cultural appropriation. How does it start so early? Evidently, it’s the adults’ jobs to know right from wrong. However, most of the time, they don’t even realize the serious consequences of their oblivious choices.

Halloween is probably the worst time of the year for many people of color. Often, without thinking, white people will purchase costumes reflecting Chinese, Native American, Mexican, Middle Eastern and other cultural stereotypes. These outfits perpetuate a very stigmatized and inaccurate portrayal of the culture represented. Often, as with Eskimo and Native American costumes, the garment is oversexualized. This sexualization further makes fun of and disrespects the culture at hand. It’s even more shocking when people are willing to wear blackface just for a laugh. Some religions, such as Buddhism, are even appropriated for aesthetic or entertaining purposes.

This pattern of wearing other peoples’ cultures as costumes without understanding or respect for said cultures is not exclusive to Halloween. Over the past couple of years, the music industry has been at war with itself. Many people of color, specifically black artists, feel their style and music has been stolen and tainted by their white counterparts. It’s hard to disagree with this assertion after watching Miley Cyrus don cheap dreadlocks and attempt to twerk on stage. Further double standards include cornrows and rap music. Just recently, actress Amanda Stenberg felt frustrated that Kylie Jenner was praised for “being edgy” and wearing cornrows while the hairstyle is considered “unprofessional” for black women in the Army and workplace. Australian performer Iggy Azalea was awarded the Billboard Music Award for Top Rap Song of 2015 while black rappers such as Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks were ignored.

When a group of people dresses up or steals an aspect of another peoples’ heritage, that group dehumanizes those they copy. They are automatically making fun of that culture and telling them their only purpose is to please the white majority. There is a difference between putting a cowboy hat on your head and putting a sombrero around your neck. It’s not right to pretend to be something you’re not when you don’t allow people to be themselves every other day of the year. Halloween is not the cause of cultural appropriation, but it exudes many of the same unfortunate symptoms. People should share and learn about one another, not disrespect their traditions and values. This Halloween: Embrace your inner monster, not your inner ignorance.