It's October and we all know what that means. Halloween.
It's that time of the year where the Cleopatra's and Nefertiti's come out. It's also that time of the year where stereotypes and racism lead the way.
Here are 5 problematic Middle Eastern costumes that should be taken off the market right this second:
1. Because we don't have cars, we ride camels
The costume above is for sale on Amazon for $75. The least they could've done was get the number of humps on that animal right. The one-humped camel is the species that inhabits the Middle East and North Africa ... not this two-humped camel, which comes from Central Asian countries.
2. Who knew beards and mustaches are an exclusive Arab thing?
Another costume found on Amazon, but this one comes pretty cheap ($7). Who knew only Arabs grew beards and mustaches? Not me, that's for sure!
3. A heartless costume
Dressing up like a Syrian refugee? Is that what this world has come to. Shame.
4. Sunglasses, check. Dachdache, check. Headdress, check. Emirati? No.
Cultural appropriation is now an idea for Halloween? Yup, not working out well.
5. No, just no
We've all seen different takes on costumes going sexy/hot. The sexy nurse, the sexy teacher, but this one is just wrong. The abaya is a traditional piece of modest and conservative clothing, and this costume completely tarnishes that image. Complete fail.