The Blood, The Land, Our Survival: Black and Indigenous Culture Is Not Your Costume.
Our heritage is our strength, our traditions are our truth
This Halloween, choose respect over replication.
Let’s Get Real 💬
Halloween is almost here, and costumes that mimic Black and Indigenous cultures are filling the aisles.
For some, dressing up in a “tribal” outfit or “Native chief” attire might seem harmless—a bit of fun for the night. But for Black and Indigenous communities, these aren’t just “looks.” They are symbols of survival, resilience, and history that our ancestors fought to preserve despite colonization, erasure, and forced assimilation.
When people wear these sacred elements as costumes, it’s not just disrespectful—its dismissing the blood, land, and legacy tied to them.
What is Culture, and Why It’s Sacred 🌍
Culture isn’t a theme or decoration; it’s the living expression of history, heritage, and the collective memory of a people. For Black and Indigenous communities, culture is a hard-won legacy—a connection to our ancestors and a testament to our survival. The patterns, symbols, and clothing we wear aren’t just fashion; they’re our stories, our pride, and our connection to the land and each other.
Understanding Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation 🎭
• Cultural Appreciation means engaging with a culture with respect, intention, and understanding. It involves learning about its history, honoring its meaning, and supporting its people authentically.
• Cultural Appropriation, on the other hand, takes without asking, often reducing cultural symbols to mere accessories. It erases context and trivializes heritage, turning symbols of survival and identity into costume pieces. When you “borrow” a Native headdress, dashiki, or hula attire for Halloween, you strip it of meaning, reducing generations of resilience and sacred tradition to entertainment.
Ask yourself: Do I understand the history of this symbol? Am I honoring the people who created it, or am I just taking what I like? If you’re unsure, it’s likely appropriation—not appreciation.
The Bias and Racism Beneath These Costumes 🤔
Many costumes mimicking Black and Indigenous cultures stem from racial stereotypes and colonial mindsets that see other cultures as “exotic” or “other.” This isn’t just about “being sensitive”—it’s about acknowledging that these actions perpetuate harmful ideas and disrespect entire communities. When you dress up as a “Chief” or “Hula girl,” you reinforce centuries-old ideas that these cultures are consumable, not deserving of respect. Appropriating culture is not only dismissive; it is an extension of the racism our communities have long endured.
What You Can Do Instead 🌱
If you’re drawn to another culture, here’s how to honor it with true respect:
1. Listen and Learn from Authentic Voices 📚 – Engage with voices within those cultures. Follow and learn from these accounts:
• 🪶 @nativeinphilanthropy – Advocating for social justice and respect for Native communities.
• 🌍 @indigenouspeoplesmovement – Raising awareness for Indigenous rights globally.
• 🌺 @asianamericangirlclub – A space challenging stereotypes and empowering Asian-American voices.
• 🌊 @hawaiianartisans – Showcasing Hawaiian artisans dedicated to preserving cultural craftsmanship.
2. Support Cultural Creators 🛍️ – If you admire a cultural style, support artisans from those communities by purchasing directly from them. This approach respects the culture and supports the people who live it.
3. Be Accountable and Encourage Respect 🤝 – This Halloween (and every day), choose to respect rather than consume. If you see someone else appropriating, educate them with compassion. Respect is not a one-night choice; it’s a commitment to honor other cultures every day.
For Black and Indigenous Professionals, Especially in Healthcare 🌿
As a Black nurse, I’ve seen how bias and stereotypes extend far beyond costumes. These biases impact real lives, showing up in microaggressions and harmful assumptions. This experience led me to create Nursing Differently, a space where nurses of color can connect, find peace, and reclaim strength. Healing in Nature is a reminder that as caregivers, we, too, need spaces to heal and protect our identities.
A Call to Action: Culture Deserves More Than a Costume 🌟
Imagine a world where every cultural symbol is valued for its depth and history, not just as a costume for Halloween.
By choosing cultural appreciation over appropriation, we create a community built on empathy and understanding. This isn’t about “wokeness” or guilt—it’s about respect.
Let’s honor the blood, the land, and the legacy tied to Black and Indigenous identities.
Our culture isn’t here for consumption. It’s here as a testament to the survival, resilience, and pride of our people.
This Halloween, honor that legacy by choosing not to wear it, but to respect it.
Hashtags:
#OurCultureIsNotYourCostume #RespectHeritage #StandWithWarriors #StopAppropriation #HealingInNature #GlobalMajorityVoices #TrueRespect