#NotYourPocaHottie; Costumes Contribute to Sexualization of “Indian” women

#NotYourPocaHottie; Costumes Contribute to Sexualization of “Indian” women

Let me begin by saying that I don’t hate Halloween, I hate seeing adult women dressing up in all manner of hyper-sexualized costumes. At this time of year, you can expect to see many sexy-nurses, sexy-police officers, but rarely do we see simply a “nurse” or a “police officer.”

So why do women’s costumes have to be “sexy” first and foremost?

It is not bad enough that sexualized images of women are all around us, what makes it worse is when these adults then combine the sexualized image with that of a racial stereotype. But these same women are also very selective about which sexy racialized stereotype they choose.  They do not see the harm in dressing in a “Poca-hottie” costume (a play on Pocahontas). Yet, these same women would not consider dressing in other race-based stereotypes: that would be too obviously “racist”. Instead these women justify their decision and minimize the impact that their decisions have on others, namely First Nations women and girls. How do they rationalize their decisions?

When these women choose to wear these revealing costumes they are not innocent in their actions – they contribute to the sexualization of “Indian” women. Keep in mind, if these women stopped to consider language alone, they might not consider dressing up as “First Nations” women (that term carries a certain amount of respect). Only in the costume of the “Indian” can they justify their actions. In their minds, “Indians” are historical and therefore no longer “real”.  What can be the harm in dressing up like a Poca-hottie?

Imagine you are a girl of age 12 or 13 living in our city. Imagine how she feels as the white truck circles the block for the second time, slowing down as she walks toward her elementary school. Imagine what she thinks when the man calls her over to his truck. Tells her she is beautiful, and then more forcefully he tells her to get into his truck. Imagine that this experience is not exceptional but is something she can count on happening 2-3 times per week.

Unfortunately this is not a fictional scenario, but is the real life experience of many girls living right here. First Nations girls and women are not safe.

Do not forget, there are over 1200 missing and murdered Aboriginal women.  The burden of responsibility of the over-sexualized representations of Indian women is not borne on the backs of white women who play dress up. It is borne on the bodies of brown girls – on their way to school.

As you select you costumes for Halloween this year, please remember that when you choose to dehumanize First Nations girls and women through your decision to reproduce sexualized stereotypes you are not innocent. Your actions have consequences – for brown women. You are not innocent.

PS; Better yet, instead of reaching for you Poca-hottie costume this year, why not leave Halloween to the kids, yes the brown ones too.

– Shauneen Pete, RezX Magazine Contributing Editor

Shauneen Pete (Photo: Bill Stevenson)

GALLERY OF ‘INDIAN’ HALLOWEEN COSTUMES SOLD AT A LOCAL REGINA HALLOWEEN STORE – CAPTURED BY REZX EDITOR, CHRIS ROSS

 ALSO CHECK OUT THIS EPIC TAKEDOWN OF RACIST HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/10/halloween-cupcakes/