Yeah. Went as Harry Potter in 3rd grade. Didn't register at all to me that being a brown Harry Potter would be considered weird to other people. Agree on the sentiment regarding parents, too.
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Disney releases Maui costume that lets kids pretend to be Polynesian
- Thread starter Derwind
- Start date
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Yeah. Went as Harry Potter in 3rd grade. Didn't register at all to me that being a brown Harry Potter would be considered weird to other people. Agree on the sentiment regarding parents, too.
Audioboxer
Member
Good on you and nor should you have felt it would. The sentiment is kids getting together and enjoying Harry Potter, not playing identity politics. If anyone had said anything to you the problem would have been theirs not yours.
I 100% agree with you but people suck.
thecouncil
Banned
Should have left out the bodysuit and provided body paint and instructions on how to create that characters tattoos.
Or just not make the costume.
Or just not make the character in the movie a stereotype.
Or just not make the costume.
Or just not make the character in the movie a stereotype.
Night.Ninja
Banned
I don't get the big deal?
People would have still cried if the use "white" skin with the tattoos.
People would have still cried if the use "white" skin with the tattoos.
"DISNEY MAKES COSTUMES FOR ALL CHARACTERS EXCEPT THE POLYNESIAN ONE!!"
BronsonLee
Member
Boy it's a good thing they didn't listen to you about any of this
Would've been far worse
I don't understand the point in making a Halloween costume for a film that won't even be released until November 23. A kid isn't going to decide on dressing up as this particular character based on just a trailer.
Using "clear material" for this outfit would have looked like garbage, since it reflects light and would be shiny. Skintight plastic/vinyl also doesn't breathe so anyone wearing it would have sweat pouring out of their sleeves and pants after an hour.
Using "clear material" for this outfit would have looked like garbage, since it reflects light and would be shiny. Skintight plastic/vinyl also doesn't breathe so anyone wearing it would have sweat pouring out of their sleeves and pants after an hour.
A mythical Polynesian hero wearing nothing more than a grass skirt is a stereotype?
What? A god shouldn't represent their culture?
This would totally have happened.
I think some of the people outraged about this stuff (whom I suppose come from a variety of backgrounds and professions) should form a company that makes outrage-proof movies and outrage-proof merchandise based on those movies.
I'd be truly curious to see what that would look like. Probably will never happen because it's a lot easier to spew hate on twitter than actually making something (especially something that restricted).
BronsonLee
Member
Uso crazy.
Gordon Shumway
Banned
People are crying? Oh, right..the skinned children 😢
Yes but it would need to be more diverse of course.
every kid should wear it to show admiration for the characters they love.
get your shit together guys.
NHarmonic.
Member
Wow, overreaction much?
Knowing very little about the Polynesians, discovering they have a badass tattooed demigod in their history makes me interested in reading about their culture.
If kids who see this movie and are likewise inspired by the concept, inspired enough to DRESS like the character no less, how is that anything other than a positive? It's showing off an awesome side of a culture that rarely receives mainstream attention.
It seems to me that there is a very fine line between genuinely malicious cultural appropriation and the inclusivity where these neglected peoples are finally given a time to shine. Sending a message to children saying "you can only enjoy your own ethnic culture - no one else's!" seems FAR more racist and divisive than saying "wow, it's great you're showing interest in the perspective and background of other tribes and groups within our interesting and diverse species!"
With every new overblown news story of this nature, it seems like more and more people are passing over the rubicon and going SO FAR down the route of "this shouldn't be allowed because it's offensive!" that it's hurting their cause of equality and open-mindedness way, way more than it's helping.
I had a moment like this recently when talking to a European friend of mine. She said something about her "chocolate friend", and I asked what she meant. Turns out she was referencing a Jamaican pal she had, who she calls her "chocolate friend" because of her skin color.
My immediate response was "wow, that seems super racist!", but her explanation made me realize that "this is probably racist" is now my default mindset on a lot of these issues when I see them. There's just a lot of cultural conditioning setting the expectations that any discussion on the differences between skin color is inherently negative, so that's the knee-jerk reaction I usually get before I slow down and try to apply logic.
When I asked why she called her friend chocolate, she said "Because her skin is so soft and dark and full, just like my favorite sweet of chocolate!" I then went on to find out that's the skin tone she's finds most attractive, too. For her, it was a term of the utmost endearment, celebrating the differences and diversity instead of thinking it's some Voldemort-esque taboo that shouldn't even be mentioned aloud.
This feels similar. Lots of kids are going to see this movie and think the Polynesian peoples have a cool look to them. Why not let them immerse themselves in that, instead of preaching that it's only okay to look at other cultures from a healthy distance and that it's STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to take part in the traditions of a different group because it's a group you don't belong to? The latter is essentially saying "you should be excluded from this activity because of your race" (as I highly doubt those pissed about this costume are upset at the prospect of an actual Polynesian wearing it). That's what I mean when I say people have crossed the rubicon - "equality for all, regardless of race" and "stay away from other cultures with a race other than yours" seem at complete odds with each other. It's still siloing people off based on where they were born or what their skin looks like.
As for me, I'm off to wikipedia now to read about some Polynesian mythology
If kids who see this movie and are likewise inspired by the concept, inspired enough to DRESS like the character no less, how is that anything other than a positive? It's showing off an awesome side of a culture that rarely receives mainstream attention.
It seems to me that there is a very fine line between genuinely malicious cultural appropriation and the inclusivity where these neglected peoples are finally given a time to shine. Sending a message to children saying "you can only enjoy your own ethnic culture - no one else's!" seems FAR more racist and divisive than saying "wow, it's great you're showing interest in the perspective and background of other tribes and groups within our interesting and diverse species!"
With every new overblown news story of this nature, it seems like more and more people are passing over the rubicon and going SO FAR down the route of "this shouldn't be allowed because it's offensive!" that it's hurting their cause of equality and open-mindedness way, way more than it's helping.
I had a moment like this recently when talking to a European friend of mine. She said something about her "chocolate friend", and I asked what she meant. Turns out she was referencing a Jamaican pal she had, who she calls her "chocolate friend" because of her skin color.
My immediate response was "wow, that seems super racist!", but her explanation made me realize that "this is probably racist" is now my default mindset on a lot of these issues when I see them. There's just a lot of cultural conditioning setting the expectations that any discussion on the differences between skin color is inherently negative, so that's the knee-jerk reaction I usually get before I slow down and try to apply logic.
When I asked why she called her friend chocolate, she said "Because her skin is so soft and dark and full, just like my favorite sweet of chocolate!" I then went on to find out that's the skin tone she's finds most attractive, too. For her, it was a term of the utmost endearment, celebrating the differences and diversity instead of thinking it's some Voldemort-esque taboo that shouldn't even be mentioned aloud.
This feels similar. Lots of kids are going to see this movie and think the Polynesian peoples have a cool look to them. Why not let them immerse themselves in that, instead of preaching that it's only okay to look at other cultures from a healthy distance and that it's STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to take part in the traditions of a different group because it's a group you don't belong to? The latter is essentially saying "you should be excluded from this activity because of your race" (as I highly doubt those pissed about this costume are upset at the prospect of an actual Polynesian wearing it). That's what I mean when I say people have crossed the rubicon - "equality for all, regardless of race" and "stay away from other cultures with a race other than yours" seem at complete odds with each other. It's still siloing people off based on where they were born or what their skin looks like.
As for me, I'm off to wikipedia now to read about some Polynesian mythology
I did not want to trigger you. To remind where it started:
In this case, on the opposite to some Elsa costume, you dress brown. With lines like "Kids tend to dress up as any character they likr regardless of that characters ethnicity or skin colour", I wondered if there is any line you would draw.
Zen_Arcade
Banned
Yeah, no one would criticize this if they just make the skin portion see through. Then it's just a grass bottom with some tattoos.
Yup.
Dead Prince
Banned
I think it's fine. Someone said clear. I can't with clear. Because think of the little girls wanting to wear that too. Would you let your daughter wear a clear version
WrenchNinja
Member
seems like there's a bigger outrage to criticism of the costume. stop being so offended guys.
Audioboxer
Member
Of course I would draw lines, but when some are trying to make lines in ridiculous places I'll fight back against it as it's unproductive to children's growing, and ability to be kids and have fun. You're only a kid once, we don't need "the adults" trying to fuck up fun for kids because they have unhappy, unresolved lives where being offended on behalf of other people seems to become a day job.
This isn't a KKK outfit so yeah it happily falls into the category of kids being able to dress up and wear what they want to mimic fictional characters in movies and TV shows that are largely made for them. "Mum why can't I dress up as 'character x', because dear you were born the wrong colour and adults on the Internet will be angry".
Winterblink
Member
What's sad is that these days that's getting to be the new normal reaction.
t-storm
Member
The standard hyperbolic knee-jerk reaction without spending 30 seconds to exert a few brain cells and think before one speaks.
60 predefined genders? I find your barbaric and backwards attitude towards gender fluidity insulting. Why must we conform to your 60 preconcived notion of genders!!
~Devil Trigger~
In favor of setting Muslim women on fire
Where Aladin costumes outrageous too?
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
Star Trek conventions. Guess aliens don't count though.
Do you have children? Can you imagine painting so many elaborate tattoos on a young child and then hoping they don't smudge it or get cold when trick or treating?
It does not sound practical at all.
Polioliolio
Member
I think the idea is the tattoos.. So, can you make this material clear? If they would have made it lighter skin, wouldn't that be worse?
The child in the image looks pretty boss.
Would if be okay if this costume simply works better on darker skinned people?
Or would it be better to release it in two or three skin tone variations?
The child in the image looks pretty boss.
Would if be okay if this costume simply works better on darker skinned people?
Or would it be better to release it in two or three skin tone variations?
Hulk
ReplacementPelican
Member
Of course it isn't. What a stupid thing to say, we're giving a voice and credence to a slim minority of people who overreact and suddenly it's 'the new normal'. Jesus Christ.
The costume is fine. It's not meant to mock or dehumanise a culture, it's a celebration of it and they needed the tattoos so they stuck with the characters skin colour rather than whitewashing. God forbid little white children not only learn about another culture but want to be a part of it and admire heroes from that culture.
Let's be honest a second, Disney was fucked since the beginning, if they go white with tattoos, they would have been destroyed because White people don't respect other culture, white washing, racist piece of shit etc... and if they go as the character looks like, then, it's still the same situation.
It'll looks fine to me, it's harmless and give to a character from a minority more spotlight, I think they should get praised to give more diversity to their Princess.
It'll looks fine to me, it's harmless and give to a character from a minority more spotlight, I think they should get praised to give more diversity to their Princess.
BronsonLee
Member
tbh I'm pretty stoked about this because it means I can just wear the suit in my normal everyday life and not only have an excellent tan, but sick tattoos without any of the pain
UnemployedVillain
Member
I can't tell if this whole post is a joke, especially the bolded. Yeah, like 10 year olds are going to have the patience of skill to paint dozens of complex body tattoos. Really??
And then you next solution would be to leave out a costume of one of the the main characters for the movie, because that makes any sort of sense.
Lastly, you make the blanket statement that anything involving tattoos is a stereotype and is off limits. Please
Winterblink
Member
Oh I'm in full agreement with you on this, don't get me wrong. I think the costume's fine and if it gives children an opportunity to learn about a new culture I'm all for it. I'm only lamenting that lately society is all too willing to capitulate with the small and obnoxiously loud minority.
Kite
Member
Supernatural creatures from Arabic mythology should get a pass, might trigger any rl smurfs tho.
GabeTheGrouch76
Member
Pretty much. I'm finding few, if any ways they could had made the costume based off the characters and not had gotten flak from people.
And given that the costume is likely to be used for rare occasions (if not that specific Halloween night as it is), the time required to paint those tattoos would be a waste of time for the parents, as would providing bottles of body paint with each costume be additional resources to spend for Disney on producing the costume. Simply having the costume have the body tattoos printed on there is much more accessible on both counts.
And that's to say nothing of the possibility of people complaining about Disney providing their other characters their "full" costumes, but then "taking the cheap route" with the Maui costume by not having the tattoos come on the costume in the first place.
PdotMichael
Banned
Looking how the first page is full of the general PC crowd on GAF. That's pretty much the normal reaction to anything here.
Gordon Shumway
Banned
Why are you mad though? I don't get it.
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