I would tell these ninnies this:

Stop appropriating Celtic mysticism which is the heart of Halloween. It's not your culture, and you degrade it with your bacchanalian revelry.

Perfect!

My employer told us we can wear costumes today. I didn't, but I am wearing a fascinator of satin and feathers in the spirit of the traditional witch hat. With apologies for culturally appropriating pagan culture, I guess.

As a UT graduate, I just sent a letter to the Dean of Students, telling them what nonsense this is. I hope a few other people will do so as well...

When ever invited to dress up at work I dont, when asked about it I say

"I'm dressed up like a serial killer, we, THEY look just like everyone else"

Same thing happening at the U of Arizona ... we got this email and memo (link to PDF) below. So ... lame

oh .. and this came from a newly established office, VP, salary lines, etc. all in the wake of budget issues. yay

-----
"Team,
As we prepare to welcome the Fall Season with the celebration of Halloween and the donning of various costumes our colleagues in the UA Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence have put together the attached brochure with some helpful advice to help insure that someone’s celebration don’t result in someone else feeling disrespected. We would ask that you please consider the attached as you plan for upcoming festivities, including and beyond our own costume contest.

Thanks much for your consideration!"

Halloween Flyer (pdf)

Because Halloween is offensive to many Christians there are no non-offensive costumes or decorations. In order to protect everyone's feelings, every mention of it should be banned. Even the announcement banning the celebration of Halloween must not mention Halloween or someone might get triggered.

Or are Christians less equal than other people?

Halloween is offensive to a billion people and must be banned!!!

From an Islamic standpoint, Halloween is one of the worst celebrations due to its origins and history. It is Haraam (forbidden) to partake in such a practice, even if there may be some seemingly good or harmless elements in it, as evidenced by a statement from the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ): "Every innovation (in our religion) is misguidance, even if the people regard it as something good."

...

This is a serious matter and one not to be taken lightly. May Allah guide us, help us to stay on the right path, and save us from all deviations and innovations that will lead us into the Hellfire.

"Or are Christians less equal than other people?"

You know the answer to that.

It dawns on me that people who issue these missives about "cultural appropriation" are generally the same sort of people who scoff at the notion of private property. Ironic, no?

"Or are Christians less equal than other people?"

Duh. We can't even get Easter back.

I actually read the UT notice at the link, and came to the conclusion that the "university me" would have decided to turn up naked. Can't offend anyone that way, right? (Let's just set aside that I may well have done that sort of thing back then, due to excessive cultural appropriation of Scottish whisky).

What I really do like though is the seemingly friendly yet ominous repetition of stuff like "If we're afraid of someone's reaction, we probably shouldn't do it", "run your idea past a university staff", "how could it be perceived by others?" So this is all judgement call?

In other words - "we can't and won't issue definite rules. However, if you break those undefined rules, you will be persecuted to the fullest extent of those non-defined laws. Feel free to help us plan your party. However, such advice will be equivocal and no help to you later if you turn out to be an embarrassment. Have fun and don't do anything we wouldn't do. In fact, best you do nothing at all".

This is so f-ing stupid. Do these people not have lives?

Hey! I just figured out how to lower the cost of tuition at virtually EVERY SINGLE college and university in the country! Get rid of the "social justice" offices and the "diversity squad/office/etc." These often include administrators and dead positions. Think how many man-hours are devoted to Johnny-fromfArkansasf-pronounced-my-ethnic-name-wrong problems.

Now, those people with too much free time can get jobs (real ones) and tuition is lower (or won't go up so quickly).