What Do Halloween Costumes Say?

The “Illegal Alien” Halloween costume is wrong and needs removed from the stores.

SPLC’s special report, “Climate of Fear,” points out how “FBI statistics suggest a 40% rise in anti-Latino hate crimes between 2003 and 2007, the latest numbers available. The number of hate groups in America has been rising, too, climbing more than 50% since 2000, mainly by exploiting the issue of undocumented non-white immigration.”

The “Illegal Alien” costume exploits the immigration debate and advances the already disturbing rise in hate in America toward immigrants. In my opinion, it’s un-American.

The United Farm Workers website reported that as of Oct. 17, 2009 Target and Toys R Us pulled the costume from their websites.

In addition to taking action to call for stores to stop selling this costume, I invite you to consider this thoughtful classroom activity, What Do Halloween Costumes Say? This activity is designed to help students look critically at the Halloween costumes marketed to them.