With Halloween in just two days, people are preparing to dress up in costumes, whether its sexy, funny, or in rare cases, actually scary. But when deciding on a last-minute costume, millennials should avoid wearing a controversial outfit that will likely end up being offensive.

We’ve seen these costumes before. Acting as a caricature for things such as a major event, race, socioeconomic class, and gender, these costumes try to make an extremely serious situation into a laughable matter. Because of the viral nature of the internet, a costume that seems funny to a group of friends could actually end up coming back to haunt them in the form of an embarrassing, offensive picture.

With the Ebola virus already affecting around 10,000 people, the Halloween costume of an Ebola health worker, or a “sexy Ebola nurse” is beyond inappropriate.  According to an Oct. 26 Daily Mail article, the costumes are being sold for almost $60, with separate lengthy yellow boots sold separately for $80.

The website selling these costumes even attempts to make it seem like these ‘outfits’ are a fashion statement. The website says, “The short dress and chic gas mask will be the talk of Milan, London, Paris, and New York as the world’s fashionistas seek global solutions to hazmat couture.”

Instead of being the talk of the town, anyone wearing that costume will be a mockery on social media.

For example, we still hear about two young women who thought their 9/11 costumes were hilarious. Last year, the women wore costumes that were labeled “North tower” and “South tower” with an American flag on their heads, clouds of smoke, fire, and even shadows of people jumping out of the buildings.

The fact that people even dressed this way––whether they were trying to make light out of a horrible event or not–– is completely insensitive for those who have a connection to the events on 9/11.

This costume fiasco wasn’t the only Halloween related incident that got the online and news world’s attention. Actress Julianne Hough, most commonly known for her role in “Dancing with the Stars” and “Safe Haven,” received a backlash for her “Orange is the New Black” costume, in which she dressed up as the character Crazy Eyes costume. As part of her costume, Hough wore blackface makeup. Donning blackface is a surefire way to make sure you don’t get a job after that picture is circulated on social media.

So this Halloween, before you pick an outfit that you think will result in a few laughs, lustful stares, or horrified screams, think about if your costume is offensive. If you’re unsure if people will think it’s funny, they probably won’t. They will, however, share your picture with the caption, “How not to dress for Halloween.”

Tamara Rasamny is a junior international relations and newspaper and online journalism dual major. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at twrasamn@syr.edu.

Published on October 29, 2014 at 12:01 am