To members of the Northwestern community:

The end of October is quickly approaching, and along with the falling leaves and cooler nights and Homecoming weekend come the Halloween celebrations on our campus and in our community. These celebrations provide opportunities for students to socialize as well as make positive contributions to our community and the Evanston community as a whole.

However, Halloween can also unfortunately be a time when the normal thoughtfulness and sensitivity of most NU students can be forgotten and some poor decisions can be made. Three years ago our community came together in a forum to talk about the fallout from some widely publicized Halloween costumes and the history behind ‘blackface’, and why many feel this is so offensive. Blackface, for those who do not know, or do not remember involves the darkening one’s skin with polish, paint or some other substance with the goal of impersonating a person of African descent—has been a recurring practice over the past several generations. Blackface costumes, particularly during Halloween are not isolated expressions. In fact, instances of blackface have often disrupted college campuses (e.g. “ghetto parties”, “pimps and hos” and “gangsta” parties etc.) all over the nation, and images of students parading in blackface are documented as far back as the early twentieth century.

The culturally unaware or insensitive choices people have made in the past, have not just been directed at one cultural group, but have often impacted religious beliefs, various ethnicities and gender expression including: Asians, Muslims, Hispanic/Latinos, Women, Christians, Native/First People etc.. In many cases, the student wearing the costume has not intended to offend, but their actions, lack of forethought or these “microaggressions” have sent a far greater message than any apology could after the fact…

This is a growing national concern on campuses everywhere, and we encourage students to take the time to consider their costumes and the impact it may have. Here at Northwestern, we have taken steps to encourage greater dialogue and understanding, as well as creating avenues for the university to become aware of issues of bias, so that some action may be taken. These include the establishment of an office for Campus Inclusion and Community, as well as the creation of RespectNU, as a site to report incidents of concern.

So, if you are planning to dress-up for Halloween, or will be attending any social gatherings planned for the weekend, please ask yourself these questions before deciding upon your costume choice:

• Could someone take offense with your costume and why?

• Wearing a funny costume? Is the humor based on “making fun” of real people, human traits or cultures?

• Wearing a historical costume? If this costume is meant to be historical, does it further misinformation or historical and cultural inaccuracies?

• Wearing a ‘cultural’ costume? Does this costume reduce cultural differences to jokes or stereotypes?

Northwestern is a community that values free expression as well as inclusivity. And while students, graduate and undergraduate, have the right to express themselves, we would hope that people would actively avoid those circumstances that threaten our sense of community or disrespects, alienates or ridicules segments of our population based on race, nationality, religious belief or gender expression.

We are oNe Northwestern, and the actions of one effect us all…, so in whatever fashion you choose to participate in Halloween activities, we encourage everyone to be safe and thoughtful during your celebration.

I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Suppressing a culture is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discrimination against a working man is violence. Ghetto housing is violence. Ignoring medical need is violence. Contempt for poverty is violence.

What if all women were bigger and stronger than you? And thought they were smarter? What if women were the ones who started wars? What if too many of your friends had been raped by women wielding giant dildos and no K-Y Jelly? What if the state trooper who pulled you over on the New Jersey Turnpike was a woman and carried a gun? What if the ability to menstruate was the prerequisite for most high-paying jobs? What if your attractiveness to women depended on the size of your penis? What if every time women saw you they’d hoot and make jerking motions with their hands? What if women were always making jokes about how ugly penises are and how bad sperm tastes? What if you had to explain what’s wrong with your car to big sweaty women with greasy hands who stared at your crotch in a garage where you are surrounded by posters of naked men with hard-ons? What if men’s magazines featured cover photos of 14-year-old boys with socks tucked into the front of their jeans and articles like: “How to tell if your wife is unfaithful” or “What your doctor won’t tell you about your prostate” or “The truth about impotence”? What if the doctor who examined your prostate was a woman and called you “Honey”? What if you had to inhale your boss’ stale cigar breath as she insisted that sleeping with her was part of the job? What if you couldn’t get away because the company dress code required you wear shoes designed to keep you from running? And what if after all that women still wanted you to love them?