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As the highly-anticipated Halloweekend approaches, young people everywhere are choosing their costumes and planning parties for the upcoming nights. While the main goal of this time should be to have fun, it’s important to take proactive measures to remain socially aware and ensure the safety of yourself and those around you, whatever that entails.

Dressing up in costumes for Halloween is generally considered a lighthearted activity nowadays, but it’s important to not let the festivities overshadow the need to treat other people with respect. This means not appropriating other cultures or encouraging harmful stereotypes about other groups of people.

San Diego State University recently opened an investigation after a TikTok video went viral of two students in a couple’s costume depicting Sean “Diddy” Combs and a bottle of baby oil. One of the individuals, both of whom are white, wore Blackface for the costume, which has historically been used to ridicule Black people while reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

This incident brings to light how prevalent ignorant costumes are within university culture and how it remains important to make efforts to call out such behavior when we see it — and especially not partake in the first place.

During the height of Netflix’s “Dahmer” starring Evan Peters as the infamous serial killer, some people decided to dress as the murderer for Halloween. This choice received a lot of backlash, resulting in platforms such as eBay banning the sale of costume pieces with his likeness.

We also shouldn’t be glorifying harmful concepts or real, troubled people with your costumes. This means not dressing up as Erik or Lyle Menendez or Gypsy Rose Blanchard, regardless of how mainstream new docuseries have made them.

Halloween is a time to explore both fun and scary costumes. But be sure you do so with respect for those around you and their experiences.

Another quintessential part of the college Halloweekend experience is finding different ways to celebrate on and around campus. This said, it’s important to stay on guard and look out for yourself and those around you.

Sexual violence is at a dangerous high during Halloweekend, falling within what is called the “Red Zone.” During this period, ranging from August to November, about 50% of campus sexual violence incidents occur. Further, about one third of aggressors in sexual assault cases overall are intoxicated.

Cole Ross | Digital Design Director

Don’t leave your friends behind while you’re out, and if you do see anything suspicious, do what you can to intervene while also protecting yourself. Ways to do this include distracting the perpetrator, getting help or intervening directly.

Regardless of who you are and if you think you could be impacted by instances of sexual violence, it’s important to remain vigilant. For people who may feel that this doesn’t apply to them, being in a position of privilege doesn’t mean you can ignore consent rules. If anything, this privileged position means you should take it upon yourself to defend others and provide a safe space for those who need it — even if that means calling out your friends and others you consider yourself to be close with for inappropriate behavior.

You should be prepared for anything you may encounter while going out this weekend. This means making sure your phone is charged (if you have one, bringing a portable charger) and avoiding suspicious areas. Violent crime increases by as much as 50% around Halloween due to increased substance use and prank culture, so make safe choices.

Always use the buddy system if you’re in an unfamiliar place and be smart when it comes to alcohol consumption. Never drive under the influence and always keep an eye on your drink while at parties or bars.

And, perhaps my favorite piece of advice, trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it’s better to remove yourself than to test your odds. Be safe, smart and aware of your surroundings.

Halloweekend should be a time of festivities, but these joys can be so easily taken away if we are not careful. So as you’re out this weekend, act in a way that not only benefits yourself and your friends, but that also ensures the wellbeing of everyone around you.

Grace “Gray” Reed is a senior majoring in magazine, news and digital journalism. Their column appears bi-weekly. They can be reached at greed04@syr.edu.

Published on October 31, 2024 at 12:41 am