If you’re out of dress code on Halloween, the rules still apply; you’ll be dress coded. But BSM’s dress code policy also specifically calls out offensive attire––why aren’t those in offensive Halloween costumes being dress coded as well?

Anyone dressed as a Native American princess or chief, wearing Muslim religious garb pretending to be ISIS, or dressed as a Geisha princess, please stop. You wouldn’t be okay if someone wore black face, or wore a Nazi uniform, so why is it okay to exploit other cultures in the same way?

Native American headdresses and patterns have cultural and religious significance, as does Muslim religious dress such as Hijabs and Burqas. If you are misrepresenting and co-opting cultural and religious symbols for the day because you think it’s funny/clever/edgy––it’s not.

The dress code stipulates that you can’t wear a shirt with drug paraphernalia or alcohol references on it, nor can you wear anything that depicts or suggests violence. Racist or offensive garb would be dress coded any other day.

The administration should call these students out by dress coding them. Let them know that wearing an offensive costume is no different than wearing an offensive outfit on your average Friday.