Global Traditions
This Mexican holiday, often celebrated around the same time as Halloween, is focused on remembering and celebrating deceased loved ones.
What is Dia De Los Muertos?
In the United States and Canada, campus-DEI offices advise costume-choosers to ask: “Does my costume represent a culture that is not my own?” This is meant to avoid this harmful practice
What is cultural appropriation?
Some schools call this weekend — when multiple parties and costumes occur — by this spooky nickname
What is Halloweekend?
This orange fruit became the most popular choice for carving jack-o’-lanterns in the United States.
What is a pumpkin?
In India, this autumn festival of lights symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
What is Diwali?
Using someone’s cultural dress as a “funny or sexy” costume is flagged as problematic because it often sexualizes or mocks. This practice contributes to this issue of misrepresenting marginalized groups.
What is cultural misrepresentation or exoticization?
Campus police or safety departments often remind students to always go out with these people when attending parties.
Who are your friends or a buddy group?
The word “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” which refers to the night before this Christian holiday.
What is All Saints Day?
In Latin American folklore, La Llorona is known for this haunting act.
What is weeping for her lost children?
In preparing a Halloween event, making sure people with disabilities sensory processing issues, and different life experiences are considered is a way of practicing this DEI principle.
What is Inclusion?
Universities often provide this service to help students get home safely at night, especially after Halloween parties.
This small, tri-colored candy is one of the most divisive Halloween treats — people either love it or hate it.
What is candy corn?
In Korea, families celebrate this harvest festival by honoring ancestors and sharing rice cakes called songpyeon.
What is Chuseok?
In Jewish tradition, this fall harvest festival features outdoor huts decorated with fruits and branches.
What is Sukkot?
Many Halloween safety campaigns emphasize this four-word phrase to remind students to look out for each other.
What is see something, say something?
Seeing this animal on Halloween night was once thought to mean a witch was nearby.
What is a black cat?
The Philippines celebrates this two-day event by cleaning and decorating graves and holding reunions in cemeteries.
What is Undás / All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day?
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated with these round pastries symbolizing reunion and wholeness.
What is mooncake?
This campus policy ensures that no student is punished for seeking help for someone who may have overdosed or is in danger while partying.
What is the good samaritan policy?
This creature of the night sleeps upside down and is one of Halloween’s most famous flying symbols.
What is a bat?