Photo: Disney
Disney’s Moana inspired millions of little girls and boys to seek adventure and be true to themselves after its fall 2016 release, which saw the film’s titular character sing her heart out about how far she would go.
Understandably, many children have flocked to the shelves of Halloween stores,Target, theDisney Storeand more to get their hands onMoanacostumes and accessories —but there has been some controversyover parents allowing their children to dress up as their favorite Polynesian princess.
After a conversation about cultural appropriation with her 5-year-old daughter last year, writer Sachi Feris published a blog forRaising Race Conscious Childrentitled “Moana, Elsa, And Halloween” (which went viral at the time) about why she wouldn’t let her white daughter dress up as Moana.
“Moana is based on real history and a real group of people … if we are going to dress up a real person, we have to make sure we are doing it in a way that is respectful. Otherwise, it is like we are making fun of someone else’s culture,” Ferisexplained in the blog.
In 2016, her daughter dressed up as Elsa from Disney’s 2013 blockbusterFrozen, which she felt comfortable with because, as she wrote, “Elsa is an imaginary or made-up character,” adding, “A childwhose family is Polynesian coulddress up using that type of traditional clothing, but Moana’s culture is not our culture.”
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In a follow-up piece fromRedbook, the outlet opined that “You can (and should) strive to be better than you were 10, 20 or 30 years ago” in terms of cultural appropriation.
“If you missed the mark when you were younger, maybe think about usingthisHalloween as an opportunity to teach your kids about the importance of cultural sensitivity,” the article read.
“Ifyour child’s dream costumefeels questionable, don’t just throw up your hands and hand over your credit card. You’re the parent here, and the onus of what your child wears falls on you. If your kid wears a racist costume … you’re kind of wearing it too.”
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Others were on the side of “let kids be kids” likea user who tweeted, “I’m sorry but why is it offensive for anyone to dress up as Moana, she’s a Disney princess for Christ sake. If a little girl or boy wants to dress up as their favorite Disney princess then they shouldn’t be made to feel like they’re in the wrong!”
A third chimed in, “I’m sorry, I hate to be a negative Nancy, butthis Moana costume thingis so absurd. I’m a firm believer on respecting culture, and giving them the proper appropriation, but we do not need to be in a world where our kids' imaginations can’t flourish.”
source: people.com
