hi! i want to be a pin up witch for halloween, the stereotypical pin up look but with some witchy elements! one of my friends pointed out to me that it could be culturally appropriative because witch was used as a slur awhile back and the pin up thing could be seen as sexualization. i do identify as an out of practice witch (i cant practice because of my family) and see the halloween version as harmless and fun, as long as they arent being disrespectful. what do you think about this?
It’s a tricky question that you pose. I don’t think witch is a slur though unless you use it in that form. In many cases people take it with confidence that they are witches, so I don’t feel as though being a witch for Halloween is bad at all.
When it comes to the sexualization, you say your goal is to be pin up. In that case, it isn’t sexualization. To me sexualization only occurs when someone/thing is making some other one/thing sexual that you don’t want to be. If you want to look sexy though, then that is not sexualization.
All in all, I feel you’re totally fine. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be sexy and nothing wrong with dressing as a “stereotypical” witch. All you’re doing is portraying an image that you know is exaggerated. Being educated on the subject is what also helps set you apart and tell me that you’re alright because you showed concern about upsetting/offending someone.
Go forth, dearie, and have fun! Thank you for your message and have a blessed day (and Halloween!).
