It was a tough situation, and I probably didn't handle it in the best way. I actually wrote this question after I encountered the situation. When he told me about his costume I just blurted out "Are you serious? That is so racist!" without really thinking about it, because I was so surprised! He is a good friend, so it was fine. But he did not mean it in a hurtful way, so I should've used one of the tactics Amanda mentioned.

Anyway, he ended up not wearing the costume - I am not sure if it was bc of what I said or other reasons. But I am guessing he probably thought about it and decided it was potentially offensive, and that was at least one of his reasons he chose not to wear it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/illdoc1#p/u/35/b0Ti-gkJiXc

irony: the blanket defence and 'get out of jail free' card for all prejudice) ... caring about this is immature, right? and there are far more important things to worry about than mocking an entire ethnicity and, furthermore, making it ok for others to do so, right?

the "flap" over alien costumes was NOT ridiculous...did you not notice that the alien was wearing a sombrero and mexican-style dress? no?

it's pretty sad that you think a valid solution to racism is to "grow up" and "let things go". sure! caring that people are parading around in costumes that not only offend ethnic groups but, on a more serious level, help to ingrain prejudices in the minds of their peers and make racism more acceptable (because, come on guys, "it's only a joke" or "i'm being ironic!" ... ah, irony. it

And as for the "great" idea from a blog to "post back discussing the issue"? Um, no. guess what? 99.9% of readers are NOT going to get that it's about THEM.

Grow up, people and let things go. Sheesh. You really don't have better things to worry about?

******************TO MY BROTHERS MUCH L&R***************

MONGOL ON

My suggestion:
1) Grab friend by lapels
2) Shake violently
3) Shout "Are you a fucking idiot?!!"
4) Possibly lose friend.
5) Don't lose sleep.
6) Move on.

So yes, US Citizen, politically correctness is destroying the US. You color your history to fit your world view, when in actuality you're just a jackbooted thug.

You know why New Mexico is called New Mexico? Because it was Old Mexico before the US and white ranchers stole it from its rightful owners.

Jackass.

Love the article. It's amazing how many not quite racist but not quite non-racist (must refer back to race and gender studies to remember the language of these issues) slip under the radar. The word racist isn't the right one fir many of these things. The r word is in danger of losing gravity if it continues to be usedasks misused as often has it has been. Many of the things dubbed racist nowadays do not have the intent of undermining a race. They are indeed born of social/ cultural
ignorance but not of malicious intent.
Perhaps we do need an enlightening of the masses to the origins of our latent racism

Maybe it wasn't Victor, but it was a douche at the party I was at last weekend.

Yep, when I lived in Arizona, every Mexican wore a pancho, had a burnt cork mustache, and cigarillo.

Stupid Republicans.

Just to smack a stereotype back in their faces...

Har, Har, Har

And my sympathies go out to the man/woman who wrote in...I have also had my share of struggles trying to explain why costumes (not necessarily Halloween) are racist. I'm thinking along the lines of "Straight Outta Harlem" frat parties...ugh. I think it becomes difficult when someone genuinely wants to dress as someone of another race from his/her own (and not just a blanket character like "gangster," a big-time offender). I don't think that on its own is racist, because what if that person is a personal hero? That being said...it seems pretty safe to say that any ethnic/racially-based store-bought costume is going to be stereotypical and offensive to some.

Oh for christ sakes... it isn't Buddhist enlightenment. The writer makes it sound like one's life-goal should be to reach the highest level of racial/cultural sensitivity possible.