Kim Kardashian dressed up as Aaliyah as one of her many costumes this year, inviting criticism from fans.
West, sadly, is in good company when it comes to inappropriate Halloween costumes. Thomas University in Minnesota advised students to avoid wearing “unacceptable” costumes such as “Native American headdresses, dressing up as a ‘Mexican’ by wearing a sombrero, dressing as a ‘geisha,’ any form of blackface.” Princeton, Ohio State, and the University of Utah all issued similar statements in an attempt to get ahead of any costume issues. This year, some colleges tried extra hard to prevent cultural appropriation by issuing Halloween costume guidelines. … I am thankful for this opportunity to further educate myself about the Native American culture, and specifically how Native American women have been treated throughout the years.” She also cited her “Native American family roots.” “It was never my intent to be disrespectful.
“I am truly sorry if I unintentionally offended anyone in the Native American community with my Pocahontas Halloween costume,” she wrote. West herself has shared a written apology to Twitter. “The choice made by one University of Oklahoma Pi Beta Phi member to dress like Pocahontas is cultural appropriation and not an example of living Pi Beta Phi’s value of Honor and Respect.” “There is a difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, and Pi Beta Phi has worked with its chapters on understanding the impact of their Halloween costume choices,” wrote Norwood in a statement. West’s own sorority president, Carly Norwood, agreed that the costume amounted to cultural appropriation. “The apology in no way takes away the pain inflicted upon and still being felt by the Native community here at the university.”
“It is disappointing that a Panhellenic woman would choose to wear something that appropriates another culture after numerous educational opportunities offered by the Panhellenic leadership,” said Nichole Krug, president of the association.
#POCAHONTAS HALLOWEEN COSTUME UPDATE#
Update your settings here to see it.Īs the OU Daily reports, the statements released by the sorority and the Greek system’s Panhellenic Association were deeply disapproving of West’s actions. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences.