I have a feeling this isn’t going to be well received, but it’s something that consumes a lot of my October-time thoughts ever since my little was born…and since no one reads this here we go!

(Side note: In case someone does read this I welcome comments/thoughts especially those of other opinions. The way we learn is through healthy conversation and debate. I don’t do screaming sessions with those whose minds are already made up)

Every year around this time I feel like social media is inundated with people screaming about who can or cannot wear certain costumes. Do I believe that there are inappropriate costumes out there? Absolutely! Do I think that the inappropriate costumes are those worn by toddlers and elementary school kids? Not so much.

Do I think that a three-year-old wearing a Disney Pocahontas, Moana, Tiana, Mulan, Merida, Jasmine, Maui, or any other character is detrimental to anyone? No. I think we have little humans that look up to and admire brave strong characters and want to be just like them. Am I aware that many (if not all) of these characters are emulated after real people in the history/lore of their representative cultures? Yes I am, and I am fully willing and ready to explain all of that to my child when they are old enough to understand. Do I want to get into the nitty-gritty of explaining that Pocahontas was a real person that was stolen from her family, raped, and made a child slave? Not to a child that would take that conversation and then be scared that the same would happen to them. There is a time and place, and that time is years in the future, for my family anyway. Do I think slowly introducing and celebrating the differences of all cultures can start earlier? Absolutely! Bring it on!

Now on to the part where I believe Halloween costumes can be representative of culture appropriation and detrimental to other cultures. What is with all the “sexy Indian princess complete with headdress,” “sexy Eskimo,” “sexy islander,” and similar ideas. All these are marketed toward young adults that should have already learned that this was inappropriate. I’m not against these costumes because the claim that they are “sexy” (bring on the “sexy crayon” and “sexy pizza”). Are you now, dear reader, asking how this is different than the previous discussed kids costumes, besides the “sexy” element? Simple these are costumes that generalize elements of other cultures in a way that could be discriminatory. Yes, I do understand that Disney does this when creating their characters, BUT the children are dressing up as a specific character from their favorite movie that has been viewed so many times that their parent/s find themselves humming the theme songs when they are by themselves. In my opinion, it’s a whole different ball game.

Lately I’ve been thinking that I should start a blog. On and off through out my life I have found it very useful to write out my thoughts. It has always (until now) been just for me. I have also really enjoyed reading about other people’s lives and taken comfort that I wasn’t the only person going through X, Y, or Z. So, for the first time ever I am deciding to write for me and to share it with you (if there is a you out there reading this).

Where to start. Maybe things you should know about me? Yeah. Let’s start there!

I’m married. I have a super cool kid, and these toddler years are the best and the worst…sometimes simultaneously.

I am a scientist. Feel free to call me Dr., but I’m not that kind of doctor so please don’t ask me about any weird symptoms. Yuck.

I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder when I was a teenager. Even though it’s well managed it’s part of my life. It’s part of who I am, and probably why I never stop thinking about things.

I am hilarious, just ask me. I am sarcastic and I don’t sugarcoat. I loose my temper sometimes. Some days I ride the struggle bus, and that’s ok.

Also I have a zombie apocalypse plan.