On a recent trip to the superstore "Spirit Halloween", I was horrified at the costumes they were selling for young children, more so for boys. They included a blood soaked demented doctor complete with terrifying mask, Twisty the Clown based on American Horror Story, a show young children shouldn't be watching, and Wriggly Mortie, the undead clown with a severed limb in its pocket. I'm just naming a few here. I couldn't believe the amount of gory costumes available—sinister masks and outfits covered in blood. So basically the children are dressing up for Halloween as MURDERERS, DEMENTED, SICK, TWISTED MEN or CLOWNS. Does this seem right to you? It doesn't to me and my kids reacted very negatively to all of these types of costumes. They asked my, "Why would someone want to wear that? It's horrible."
The girls section had less gore. The only costumes that took it too far were the zombie costumes, again, based on a show young children should not be watching, The Walking Dead. They inserted ghostly contacts and cut the girls mouth corner to corner with a serrated knife. Seriously? And don't get me started on how short all the costumes are...
The bigger picture for me is that we're desensitizing young boys to murder, death, torture and disturbing actions towards fellow human beings. It made me think about all the mass shootings that keep happening in our country. Ironically, most of the shootings are done by young boys/men. Could these types of costumes, including all the shooting and physical violence video games and movies be causing boys to do such actions? I'm sure it doesn't help. I just don't understand how we, as a society, have become so fixated on gore and killing. It's everywhere and I don't think it's right.
I created this petition to spread the word about these horrible costumes Spirit is selling to OUR CHILDREN. I don't think it's OK to continue selling the idea that it's cool to dress up like a killer. I'm all about scary or creepy for Halloween, but this is flat out offensive and truly disturbing as a society. I believe change starts with one person and it has a ripple effect. If you agree with me, please sign this petition and hopefully Spirit will listen.
