Halloween has definitely become more straight-laced these days because of intercultural awareness. Back then, like, four decades ago, no one would have batted an eye when Halloweenies wore blackface. However, people were also more racist back then. One of the most recent issues this Halloween was the attached or perceived cultural mis/appropriation against the Moana costume, but the actress for the Disney character has something to say about that.
Auli’i Cravalho, who is Hawaii-born, also the voice actress for Moana, voiced out her concerns regarding the Moana costume. Contrary to what people claim to be a cultural misappropriation, Cravalho even encouraged kids and pretty much everyone to dress up like her movie character. That means people of all races and genders, so feel free to dress your dad or brother up as Moana too *wink* *wink.*
Cravalho explained that Moana does represent positive things, such as bravery and self-discovery and those should be celebrated. Needless to say, Cravalho thinks that dressing up as Moana, which is basically a traditional Polynesian attire, is appropriate. After all, they do represent good things and are not meant to be scary in intention.
“I think it’s absolutely appropriate. It’s done in the spirit of love and for Disney and for the little ones who just want to dress up as their favorite heroine, I’m all for it. Parents can dress up as Moana, too,” says Cravalho. Apparently, the controversy for the Moana costume came from minority groups who deem it offensive to dress up in Polynesian attire for Halloween. Here’s hoping that a Captain America (also Disney) costume being worn by a non-white kid also does not spark cultural misappropriation concerns… oh wait, it doesn’t.
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