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

[JoeA]

Have you read the thread? All of these points have already been addressed here. No, white kids shouldn't only have to be Woody. But they shouldn't paint themselves black or brown either. Additionally, I said that I don't think anyone should be painting their faces (or wearing flesh colored body suits) of any other race. It's not okay. You don't have to agree and, yes, I know that I feel this way makes me a cry baby liberal, but the question was posed and I've answered it and defended my position which I'm not even sure you've bothered to read.

Oh, I've read the thread. I just can't wrap my head around people being offended because a kid wants to be a S Pacific character in a Disney movie so they dress up to look like said character.

we'll always have differences as long as people want to point out the differences.

 

[kellyjeanie]

Oh, I've read the thread. I just can't wrap my head around people being offended because a kid wants to be a S Pacific character in a Disney movie so they dress up to look like said character.

we'll always have differences as long as people want to point out the differences.

Just because you can't understand the offense, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We don't get to decide what's offensive for other people.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

Just because you can't understand the offense, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We don't get to decide what's offensive for other people.

But isn't that exactly what a poster here is doing? Deciding to be offended for other people?

 

[kellyjeanie]

But isn't that exactly what a poster here is doing? Deciding to be offended for other people?

She's responding to and listening to the concerns they have raised, as opposed to others who want to tell those who are offended that they shouldn't be.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

She's responding to and listening to the concerns they have raised, as opposed to others who want to tell those who are offended that they shouldn't be.

The concerns who has raised? I was told my daughter would get the side eye from a poster because she had lightened her face (with my foundation) for a Taylor Swift costume she was wearing. I'm not sure who is offended. Caucasian people?

 

[kellyjeanie]

The concerns who has raised? I was told my daughter would get the side eye from a poster because she had lightened her face (with my foundation) for a Taylor Swift costume she was wearing. I'm not sure who is offended. Caucasian people?

The concerns raised in the original article. "As a Poly I support our folk involved in #MOANA. But this? NO.Our Brown Skin/Ink's NOT a costume."

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

The concerns raised in the original article. "As a Poly I support our folk involved in #MOANA. But this? NO.Our Brown Skin/Ink's NOT a costume."

That does not answer my question at all but thanks. I have to bow out again.

 

[kellyjeanie]

That does not answer my question at all but thanks. I have to bow out again.

I talked about concerns, you asked me who raised them, I referred back to the original article.

 

[JoeA]

Just because you can't understand the offense, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We don't get to decide what's offensive for other people.

What if I see a kid from the S Pacific dressing as Cindrella and wearing white leggings and makeup and I am offended...will you defend my right to be offended? Or will you label me a racist?

Other people will always be offended about something and that is exactly my point. The "offense" is getting more and more ridiculous and "we" need to get over ourselves and focus on something more pertinent than a kid trying to look like a character they find cool.

 

[kellyjeanie]

What if I see a kid from the S Pacific dressing as Cindrella and wearing white leggings and makeup and I am offended...will you defend my right to be offended? Or will you label me a racist?

Other people will always be offended about something and that is exactly my point. The "offense" is getting more and more ridiculous and "we" need to get over ourselves and focus on something more pertinent than a kid trying to look like a character they find cool.

Of course you can be offended! And you can rant and rave all over Twitter and back, if you want. If you're the only one complaining, very little will happen. The kid will go on his merry way in his Cinderella costume. The social consequences will be nil. Now with this Maui costume - if you don't understand the offense, and you don't care, just keep doing what you're doing. Wear the Maui costume to work, I don't care. The social consequences might be more severe, but you are under no obligation to cater to or respond to those offended.

 

[kellyjeanie]

I struggle with cultural appropriation and what is offensive and what isn't. I trust those who it affects will voice their concerns. I choose to listen and err on the side of not offending, especially since it is so easy to do so. There are so many costume options that aren't a problem.

 

[luvsJack]

So the want for everyone to be color blind is a lie? This costume is something attractive to kids who are just that. They don't care about race or color. They care about the character.

We say we want no one to see color but when they don't we slap another label on it and call it racism. How will we ever get past race at this rate?

Its a costume. Its not someone changing their skin color with malicious intent.

So many other racial issues going on in this world, but by all means, lets get all up in the air about a costume.

There was no other way for them to make the costume with out some skin color. No matter what color they chose, someone would have had something to moan about.

 

[JJZMgailey]

So the want for everyone to be color blind is a lie? This costume is something attractive to kids who are just that. They don't care about race or color. They care about the character.

We say we want no one to see color but when they don't we slap another label on it and call it racism. How will we ever get past race at this rate?

Thats's right. Children do not pay attention to race or color unless adults bring it to their attention. Questions might be asked about differences, but that comes from nothing but curiosity.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We don't get to decide what's offensive for other people.

No, but we do get to hear their stories & decide if they're overreacting or not.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's not worth "OUTRAGE!" but the character is a Pacific Islander. Dressing up as a character outside your race is "problematic".

Really? Then why did Disney cast an African American as Elsa in the stage show of Frozen at DCA?

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I do not feel that the costume is appropriate.

However, I have long since learned that this board is not the place to have progressive discussions about race & cannot see that changing until the demographic does. Yelling at a brick wall does nothing to enlighten the brick wall & only leaves you hoarse and frustrated.

 

[Funfire240]

To have a child's perspective on this - I showed DD8 while we were looking (yes, I have ordered her the Moana costume, a fair skinned little girl) and her response - she laughed! She saw the "skirt" and the muscles and said she would love to have her little brother dressed like this.

We look at costumes as just that. A chance to add to imagination and live as those characters. Is it changing our race? Of course not. Are we being disrespectful? I don't believe so. I feel it helps bring cultural awareness as they learn about that character. And it's children playing. I've seen worse with other Halloween costumes. I don't look at it any different then my children dressing up as Captain America or for example DD8 when she dressed as and pretended to be Tiana and even Pocahontas.

 

[kidshop]

I do not feel that the costume is appropriate.

However, I have long since learned that this board is not the place to have progressive discussions about race & cannot see that changing until the demographic does. Yelling at a brick wall does nothing to enlighten the brick wall & only leaves you hoarse and frustrated.

So, what I am hearing is that a white person can only choose from white characters ( or maybe lighter skinned characters so they don't stand out too much) to dress up as for Halloween or it's offensive, and this is seen as progressive.

 

[FigmentFinder]

I thought this thread was going to be about the fact the girl's costume shows midriff. I'm vaguely disappointed.

 

[bcla]

Really? Then why did Disney cast an African American as Elsa in the stage show of Frozen at DCA?

Wasn't the case when I saw it. However, they probably have enough to do two shows simulataneously. We saw black cast members as the mother, Kristoff, and the bishop. An East Asian guy was playing the Duke of Wesselton. That's not that unusual with stage plays and musicals.