Another Halloween Costume Dilema

[homesteader]

DS is 8 & wanted to be Thor. Great! I had it all worked out (nothing purchased yet though). But then a few days ago he said he wanted to be an indian (native american). As an adult, living in OK, I cringed.

So, is this still an ok costume for a child, or am I slapping too much ADULT political correctness onto something that is just plain fun for a kid? He likes the fringe & the feathers. I tried to see if he wanted to go with the fringe in a Daniel Boone sort of way & that didn't fly. What do you think?

[Chamomile Girl]

I asked my husband (who is an historian and who grew up in Oklahoma himelf) and he recommends that you choose a specific tribe to represent so you can make it a genuine learning experience. That way you can avoid the trite hollywood representations that offend folks.

[pbjmama]

I like pps suggestion. At 8 I you can give him a brief explanation about why you are hesitant for him to dress as a native american.

[beanma]

I think it would be okay if he goes as a specific Native American. For example. we woudln't have any problem with a kid going as Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhardt, Michael Jordan or Michelle Kwan. I think if you explained that you thought it would be cool if he could pick a specific American Indian/Native American to be that would be okay, but just to be "a Native American" is kinda like going just as "an African American" and might make some people feel bad even if that wasn't his intent, kinda like he was making fun of them. You could point out how absurd it would be to go as "a white person". Going as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Sequoyah or another famous Native American could be a great learning experience, though. If he's interested in myths you might check out some of the Native creation stories.

And finally, I'd wait a bit longer and see if his mind changes again!!

[homesteader]

Yes, yes & yes...I forgot to mention that his dad & I suggested the famous person angle. <I'm a little fuzzy today, sorry> After talking about some famous native americans he said he wanted to be Squanto, because I think he knew more about him. How in the world though is "Squanto" going to come across to other people? It's not like he's going to wear a sign saying he's Squanto. Also, I typically tell him he has to have his mind made up by Oct 1 b/c I make his costumes. If we wait much longer than that I'm just too rushed.

On another note: I think the big reason he wants to be a native american is that in my sewing stash I have a section of colored feathers attached to a band. It's something you can buy by the yard at sewing stores. IF that is the main reason(which I haven't found out yet) for him wanting to be native american for halloween do you have any other suggestions to incorporate those feathers into a costume?

[serenbat]

my 2 years old DS is going as a Lenni Lenape, we don't see an issue---does look funny having a curly haired blue eyed one but the costume cost a quarter and is vintage and he looks cute -- he does say "I am a Native American a Lenni Lenape--trick or treat" (they are our local tribe)

[tribord]

Found this thread in a search.  Any ideas on how to explain to a just-turned 4-year-old why it isn't OK to use race or ethnicity as a costume?