October 23, 2025
Dr. Surita Jhangiani shares how curiosity and compassion can help make Halloween more respectful and inclusive.
Each October, classrooms buzz with the excitement of Halloween treats, costumes and creativity. Amid the fun, these moments also offer a chance to explore culture, identity, and respect. For Dr. Surita Jhangiani, Associate Professor of Teaching and David Lam Chair in Multicultural Education at UBC’s Faculty of Education, holidays like Halloween invite reflection on how we celebrate diversity, nurture empathy and challenge bias.
We spoke with Dr. Jhangiani about how Halloween can open the door to meaningful conversations, helping teachers, families and students distinguish between cultural appreciation and appropriation, and why those discussions matter year-round.
What can Halloween teach us about cultural respect?
Dr. Surita Jhangiani: Halloween is a fun, creative celebration. Students and many adults love the chance to dress up and use their imaginations. But it’s also a time to pause and consider what our costume choices might communicate to others.
Walk into any costume shop, and you’ll see outfits that borrow from different cultures. That’s where reflection becomes important. Are we turning someone’s culture into a costume? Are we using cultural symbols for entertainment without understanding their meaning or respecting their significance?
Teachers and families can take a proactive approach by starting these conversations before Halloween. Creating space to discuss costumes, culture and representation early helps build awareness, empathy and thoughtful choices.
“Most people don’t intend to cause harm; they may simply not have considered the meaning behind what they’re wearing. Growth comes from reflecting on the impact of our choices, even when our intentions were good.”
What’s the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation?
Cultural appropriation happens when elements of a culture that isn’t your own are used without understanding, permission or respect. At Halloween, traditions or clothing can become props, borrowed for entertainment rather than understood in context. What may seem like a harmless costume can reduce something sacred to a disposable aesthetic. Costumes can easily slip into caricature—mocking, exoticizing or erasing the deeper histories they represent.
What many people don’t realize is that, for some communities, these cultural expressions were once banned or punished. When others wear these symbols casually, it can reopen old wounds and undermine efforts to reclaim and celebrate those traditions.
Cultural appreciation, by contrast, is grounded in respect and genuine curiosity. It involves learning about and from people within that culture, recognizing the meaning behind what’s being shared, and participating through invitation—not imitation.
Is it ever appropriate to wear clothing from another culture?
Context is everything. When you’re invited to wear traditional attire at a friend’s wedding or cover your head when entering a place of worship, those moments reflect genuine participation and respect, not imitation. There’s an understanding of why it’s being done—an act rooted in appreciation and intentionality.
The distinction may seem subtle, but it’s significant. And here’s the encouraging part: students are often remarkably perceptive when given space to think critically and empathetically. These conversations help them understand the difference between celebrating someone’s culture and performing it.
What should we consider before choosing a Halloween costume?
Start with reflection. Ask yourself: Am I borrowing from another culture? Do I understand the history or significance behind what I’m wearing? Could this reinforce a stereotype or make fun of a group of people? Would I feel comfortable explaining my choice to someone from that community?
If you’re unsure, take that as a cue to pause and learn more. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. And if you can’t answer these questions, it’s worth doing a bit of research before deciding.
The goal isn’t to take the fun out of Halloween—it’s to make it more thoughtful and inclusive. By encouraging curiosity and empathy, we model the values we hope our children will carry into every aspect of their lives.
What about costumes based on movie or cartoon characters?
This is a common question from parents. Many popular films simplify or distort cultures, erasing nuance or reinforcing stereotypes. Even when students want to dress as characters they love, it’s valuable to talk about where those stories come from and how they portray different cultures.
Take Pocahontas, for example. The real history is far more complex and painful than the romanticized Disney version. The key is to ask whether a costume borrows from cultural clothing, traditions or symbols that hold significance for a community. Understanding that context helps families make choices that show respect rather than repeat harmful narratives.
Teachers and families can encourage children to choose costumes that celebrate creativity; favourite book characters, animals or imaginative ideas, rather than cultures. Halloween also provides an opportunity to explore how traditions evolve and how holidays can become commercialized.
How should we respond if a costume causes discomfort?
Approach those moments with warmth, empathy and curiosity—not blame. Encourage students to ask gentle questions such as, “I’m curious—what made you choose that costume?” Most people don’t intend to cause harm; they may simply not have considered the meaning behind what they’re wearing. Growth comes from reflecting on the impact of our choices, even when our intentions were good.
If a student feels hurt or uncomfortable, validating that feeling is essential. Adults can model reflection by focusing on impact rather than intent. These conversations can be uncomfortable, but they’re also powerful teachable moments about empathy, history and mutual respect.
How does this connect to your research?
Much of my work explores whose voices and knowledge are valued, and whose are silenced or dismissed. When we talk about cultural appropriation, we’re really asking: Who gets to tell the story? Whose perspectives are missing? How can we move toward a fairer society where multiple ways of knowing are genuinely respected?
The goal isn’t to limit celebration, but to make it more thoughtful, inclusive and joyful for everyone. By encouraging reflection and dialogue, we create space for diverse voices to be heard and valued. That’s how genuine understanding grows—not only during holidays like Halloween, but throughout the year.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
