Year-old article rattles reader
Dear Editor:
I appreciate that Rose Cora Perry helped educate by writing about the history of Halloween in the October 26, 2009 edition of Interrobang, Halloween has nothing to do with the devil!, but she also stereotyped every girl who has ever “dressed down” for Halloween, which is unfair and a little bit harsh. I just wanted to put another way of thinking on the table for those that read that article that could have been offended.
Some people see Halloween as their one chance to rebel against the negative connotations attached to being more “eccentrically dressed” and doesn't necessarily mean they want sexual attention. Those who dress up as characters from Rocky Horror Picture Show is a perfect example of this. One of the excuses rapists use is “she was dressed like she wanted it,” which is bullshit. If a woman dresses in revealing clothing, they are confident, and I don't see anything wrong with showing pride or confidence with your body. Who cares if they want to show it off? Dresses that show your ankles — or even wearing pants — used to be frowned upon. For some, Halloween is a chance to creatively express yourself (whether it be your knowledge of history, or interest in gore or even sexual orientation) in various ways. A costume can say a lot about the person wearing it. Like art, it's extremely subjective.
There is a difference between criticism and personal attack. Just because someone chooses to wear a naughty nurse or a slutty nun outfit one day of the entire year instead of a serial killer costume, they are whores? If so, whores are people too. Since part of Halloween is about celebrating the lives (and of course, the spirits) of those who've passed onto a better place, why not celebrate those that may have been, if not whorish, a little more eccentric than others? There are plenty of Halloweens, and if a few girls want to be brave or silly one year and wear next to nothing in October, go for it. I commend them for braving the cold and all the negative criticism that's thrown in their direction. Most people do assume that just because someone chose to show a little more skin than others, they must be engaging in sexual acts with various partners.
There is a fine line between what people wear and how people act, and unfortunately, that line is often overlooked, and the two are perceived as the same thing. This is probably one of the reasons some people think it's better to just dress “appropriately” rather than changing the way you judge and condemn. The article was very vague and biased, generally placing all women who want to “skank it up” on Halloween in the same category, no matter what their true intentions are. Of course, it was an opinion and everyone is entitled to that, yet there is a difference between your opinion and talking smack. The article was rude and frankly, the definition used to describe girls who fall into this costume category is not even correct.
whore;
(hawr, hohr or, often, hoo r) noun, verb, whored, whor· ing.
— noun a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual intercourse, usually for money; prostitute; harlot; strumpet.
In order to submit anything to Interrobang content “cannot be inappropriate, obscene, racist or libelous,” yet Halloween has nothing to do with the devil! was still released. I hope future articles lack inappropriate generalizations and uncalled for attacks on character that can reflect the reputations of anyone who decided to dress up as anything that could be seen as promiscuous. For those of you who decided to act out the role of your costumes, be safe.
Jessica
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I appreciate that Rose Cora Perry helped educate by writing about the history of Halloween in the October 26, 2009 edition of Interrobang, Halloween has nothing to do with the devil!, but she also stereotyped every girl who has ever “dressed down” for Halloween, which is unfair and a little bit harsh. I just wanted to put another way of thinking on the table for those that read that article that could have been offended.
Some people see Halloween as their one chance to rebel against the negative connotations attached to being more “eccentrically dressed” and doesn't necessarily mean they want sexual attention. Those who dress up as characters from Rocky Horror Picture Show is a perfect example of this. One of the excuses rapists use is “she was dressed like she wanted it,” which is bullshit. If a woman dresses in revealing clothing, they are confident, and I don't see anything wrong with showing pride or confidence with your body. Who cares if they want to show it off? Dresses that show your ankles — or even wearing pants — used to be frowned upon. For some, Halloween is a chance to creatively express yourself (whether it be your knowledge of history, or interest in gore or even sexual orientation) in various ways. A costume can say a lot about the person wearing it. Like art, it's extremely subjective.
There is a difference between criticism and personal attack. Just because someone chooses to wear a naughty nurse or a slutty nun outfit one day of the entire year instead of a serial killer costume, they are whores? If so, whores are people too. Since part of Halloween is about celebrating the lives (and of course, the spirits) of those who've passed onto a better place, why not celebrate those that may have been, if not whorish, a little more eccentric than others? There are plenty of Halloweens, and if a few girls want to be brave or silly one year and wear next to nothing in October, go for it. I commend them for braving the cold and all the negative criticism that's thrown in their direction. Most people do assume that just because someone chose to show a little more skin than others, they must be engaging in sexual acts with various partners.
There is a fine line between what people wear and how people act, and unfortunately, that line is often overlooked, and the two are perceived as the same thing. This is probably one of the reasons some people think it's better to just dress “appropriately” rather than changing the way you judge and condemn. The article was very vague and biased, generally placing all women who want to “skank it up” on Halloween in the same category, no matter what their true intentions are. Of course, it was an opinion and everyone is entitled to that, yet there is a difference between your opinion and talking smack. The article was rude and frankly, the definition used to describe girls who fall into this costume category is not even correct.
whore;
(hawr, hohr or, often, hoo r) noun, verb, whored, whor· ing.
— noun a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual intercourse, usually for money; prostitute; harlot; strumpet.
In order to submit anything to Interrobang content “cannot be inappropriate, obscene, racist or libelous,” yet Halloween has nothing to do with the devil! was still released. I hope future articles lack inappropriate generalizations and uncalled for attacks on character that can reflect the reputations of anyone who decided to dress up as anything that could be seen as promiscuous. For those of you who decided to act out the role of your costumes, be safe.
Jessica
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
