All Shallows Eve

It’s Halloween: the only time of year when you can be anyone else but yourself. Many women pull out costumes that showcase the sexier side of themselves that they may normally be afraid to show. And many men dress up as their significant other’s counterpart (usually grudgingly at the behest of said significant other).

That being said, couple’s costumes are all the rage. Fun, friends and innocent antics ensue. And social media fills with pictures documenting the escapades of superheroes, ghosts, witches and celebrities.

But recent years have seen these costumes take a turn. Some might argue that costumes have been offensive for years. But with Julianne Hough’s 2013 Crazy Eyes (Orange is the New Black) costume still in the rearview mirror, you would expect for people to be more careful with the statements they choose to make.

So much for expectations!

This year, with Halloween parties well underway for 2014, social media is already boasting pictures of people dressed as the recently scandalized athletes Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and I’m sure even more.

So let’s go down the list, shall we?

Make fun of recent personal tragedies? Check.

Make light of domestic/child abuse? Check.

Set a terrible example for younger generations that this is acceptable/funny behavior? Check.

Seriously, why would this be anything but disgusting? These costumes have even gone so far as to include a black eye. What's more? This picture was posted by their child. So, his hashtags tell a story of the perpetuation of even more ignorance.

So just in case anyone is wondering, please note the following:

Domestic Violence is not a joke

Child abuse is not amusing

Poking fun at personal pain and misery is pretty much inhumane

And as a side note, anything black face is NEVER funny.

You can consider this my soapbox dismount.

For Domestic Violence information/help: www.thehotline.org

For Child Abuse information/help: www.childhelp.org

#offensivehalloweencostumes #janelle