Halloween Costumes… What Were They Thinking?

Halloween, as we learned about, has quite a history behind it. We learned about its old Christian and Celtic roots, and how today it has become a commercialised festivity. One such way that it has become commercial is how much people spend on it- from candy to costumes. We learned that people dressed up in scary costumes, but sadly some people in today’s society, do not understand how hurtful and humourless their costume choices can be. 

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One of my favourites is when people dress up in another person’s cultural dress. For example, some of the popular ones are: a Kimono (Japan), Saree (India), Thobe/Keffiyeh (Arab), or Aboriginal clothing… which are NOT Halloween costumes! 

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But unfortunately, we should have written this post before a large group of elementary teachers decided to make a very terrible mistake. This is how: 

Another now-deleted picture from the school's Facebook page showed staff members dressed in sombreros with maracas.

And sadly… it get’s much, much, MUCH worse… 

A since-deleted photo posted to the Facebook page of the Middleton School District.

These pictures were posted on the school district’s Facebook page but were quickly removed. But just to briefly summarise- the top picture is a bunch of teachers wearing very stereotypical 

Mexican dress with maracas (instruments) and sombreros (Mexican hats). If you look 

really closely, the lady in the middle’s hat reads ‘Mexican.’ The bottom picture is a group of teachers holding a wall which says ‘Make American Great Again.’ Remember who spoke of the wall and why? 

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Yep, none other than Trump, who said that a wall between Mexico and the US would stop 99% of illegal Mexican immigrants- many of whom are drug dealers. (Obviously, a completely and utterly false and racist remark).    

These teachers are from Idaho, US. Idaho is located by Washington and Montana… they are very close to Canada. 

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You can read the full story here: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/02/us/idaho-teachers-border-costume-trnd/index.html

So now it is your turn to weigh in on this. Do you think that these individuals made an innocent mistake which was not meant to hurt anyone’s feelings? Or do you think that they should have known better than to dress and act in an insulting manner? How would you feel if your ethnicity or culture was Mexican? Would this have offended you? Since these individuals are teachers (clearly not as great as yours :)), does this affect your opinion of the situation at all? Remember to write detailed answers which are roughly 20 (grade 5) to 25 (grade 6) sentences. 

Breaking News…Trump back at it…Again!

So guys, it seems as though he is back at it again! Of course, I am talking about a particular individual who will probably be voted for ‘The Best President of the Century’ award! Okay, now you know that I am being sarcastic but what you may not know is what I am talking about! Let’s back up a bit, shall we?

Who ever thought that I would agree with something that Trump has said, however, it is true. The media, especially certain media outlets, can be highly biased. Unfortunately when times like Remembrance Day roll around we do not see the soldiers of colour: Black-Canadians, Sikh-Canadians, Chinese-Canadians, Japanese-Canadians and our First Nations, etc. 

In a ceremony where Trump should have been paying tribute to the Navajo people, especially two Navajo war vets, he goes on to say: “You’re very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. But you know what. I like you. Because you are special, ” Mr. Trump remarked. 

Who is he referring to when he says ‘Pocahontas?’ He is speaking about an American Senator (Politican) named Elizabeth Warren who came under fire because she was unable to prove her supposed Aboriginal background. 

Read the article and see the clips here: 

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/27/politics/trump-pocahontas-navajo-code-talkers/index.html

You really end up feeling terrible for those vets who stayed calm and composed! Below is what Warren said regarding Trump’s comments about her. 

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/27/politics/elizabeth-warren-donald-trump/index.html

So let’s weigh in on this topic. What do you think? To you, why is what Trump said, bad? Perhaps you see nothing wrong in his comment, why do you think that way? What does he even mean when he calls Warren, Pocahontas? 

Remember, grade 5’s -8 sentences, grade 6’s 10-12 sentences. Details!!!!! Post some responses to your classmates too please!

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