Thoughts about 'Maui' costume from Disney's Moana?

[JJZMgailey]

I was reading this piece on Mashable yesterday and it seems that some folks are pretty outraged about this Halloween costume. I think it's kind of cool - what say you?

http://mashable.com/2016/09/19/moana-halloween-costume-controversy/#IXNONEsUwGqZ

 

[lorimay]

WOW! I thought it was so cool.

I love it and am hoping my grandson will want to wear it for Halloween, he hasn't committed to it yet though.
My granddaughter is wearing the Moana costume and I thought they would be so cute together.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I can see why some would be "outraged!!" but it is a children's costume and they just want to be their favorite character.

 

[Hikergirl]

Oh for crying out loud its a costume of a Disney animated character. In the not so distant future there will be disclaimers on the packaging "any similarities to any living or deceased person, god or diety, fairy tale or urban legend story...........
Or better yet lets not let our kids have fun and dress up anymore.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I vote cool!...But probably no kids will wear it around here because you can't fit it over your winter coat.

 

[robinb]

I can see why some would be "outraged!!" but it is a children's costume and they just want to be their favorite character.

What I don't understand is how Maui can be anyone's "favorite character"? The movie is not out yet and won't be out until after Halloween.

 

[BrianL]

It's cool to me. I just don't get the outrage over stuff like this. There are actual important matters to be outraged about in this world.

 

[3Gsandme]

I struggle with cultural appropriation as well. I understand it but I don't always understand it. If that makes sense. However, the costume depicts someone if darker skin and I don't think it's appropriate on that level. Youre almost literally putting on the skin of a brown person.

 

[Magpie]

I think it's AWESOME to see "skin color" come in a shade other than pink.

No, it wouldn't look very good on a pasty, pale child. But, then again, blonde princess wigs don't exactly look awesome on dark-skinned children. However, I completely support their right to wear them.

I think it's lovely that for once there's actually a costume that looks best on brown people. No outrage here!

 

[Hikergirl]

.

 

[3Gsandme]

Went to reply but realized I have nothing to say LOL

I was like, I'm not going to delete it. Lol.

 

[JJZMgailey]

However, the costume depicts someone if darker skin and I don't think it's appropriate on that level. Youre almost literally putting on the skin of a brown person.

See, and I feel like it's all about Maui's tattoos and don't even focus on the skin color at all.

 

[Topper]

You know there will be unthinking parents who will put their child in blackface to tie the whole look together.

 

[3Gsandme]

See, and I feel like it's all about Maui's tattoos and don't even focus on the skin color at all.

Which is fine. I wouldn't have a problem with my children wanting to dress as Maui. I wouldn't put them in this particular costume because it feels something akin to black face, for me.

I don't care if a black child dresses up as Cinderella or even dons a blonde wig. That's more than fine. I'd be fine with my daughters wanting to dress up as Moana. Or Tiana. But I wouldn't put them in a brown body stocking to make them look more authentic. That's where it crosses the line, for me.

 

[sailorstitch]

I was wondering when somebody was going to post about this!

To me there's a HUGE difference between dressing up as a Polynesian for Halloween and dressing up as a Polynesian-themed Disney character. It's like saying I'm not allowed to wear my Princess Jasmine costume because I'm not Middle Eastern. Or I'm not allowed to cosplay as an anime character because I'm not Japanese.

sailorstitch

 

[wilkeliza]

How else were they suppose to do the tattoos? Would people be up in arms if they offered it in different shades? It is nothing about changing the skin color but showing the tattoos. My friend actually made something similar (a brown t-shirt with the tattoos hand painted on) so that he could be Maui for MNSSHP because he has brown skin and it is the one character he saw from Disney that he thought would work for him. I thought it was cool. Every year this debate comes up at halloween. I remember last year it was the Mulan thread. Now that I'm a little less "radical" I'm realizing even the argument I fought for over there is silly. If your child wants to be Mulan and you do the match maker scene then go all out if you want including the face paint. It is there and in the scene. Same for this. It is a children's character. They are representing that character not the entire culture.

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

So, for those who are "offended" by the darker skin tone of the costume, should Disney have made the costume in several different skin tones to satisfy you or should only those kids with naturally darker skin be allowed to wear the costume? This is seriously stupid.

 

[ICF]

Some people aren't happy unless they have something to be upset about.

 

[Arielle22]

I struggle with cultural appropriation as well. I understand it but I don't always understand it. If that makes sense. However, the costume depicts someone if darker skin and I don't think it's appropriate on that level. Youre almost literally putting on the skin of a brown person.

I don't understand the idea that only people with the culture who originated an idea can use it. I believe there are some things, like religious symbols should not be used by others. But the idea that only those of a certain culture can embrace something is odd. So only those of us with Irish ancestors should drink on St Patrick's Day? How about food? Should we deem that cultural appropriation?

 

[Micca]

There are actual important matters to be outraged about in this world

Brian let's not let problems like poverty, hunger, and terrorism get in the way of some good ol fashioned Halloween costume outrage