Happy Halloween Rant: KEEP CALM AND SLUT ON

Every year, we see headlines like this:

(Read the articles above for your dose of bemusement/infuriation for the day)

I slut shame. I do. And when I realize I’m doing it, I feel ashamed. What the hell is so wrong about dressing up like a sexy hamburger for Halloween? And don’t tell me Halloween is some Catholic holiday like that Slate News article above tried to do – it’s even less so than Christmas. I understand the opposition to the objectification of women, but many people think sexy Halloween costumes shouldn’t be a thing at all, that such slut attire absolutely could not be empowering in any way imaginable.

What is so wrong about a woman feeling good about her body? What’s wrong with showing off some skin in public? Is side boob inherently gross? What’s so goddamn offensive about having fun?

Reading apologetics about why we should do away with sexy Halloween costumes – while maintaining that they are not actually “slut shaming” – makes me want to throw my laptop through a 37th story window multiple times. These articles are dripping with judgment while waving their beacons of “common sense” and “superiority.”

Now, I do find it disturbing when adolescents (or younger) wear costumes that are overtly sexy, but is the right answer to this severely shaming the girl about her body? I do believe in letting children be children and not force them to grow up too quickly, but part of that is letting them explore. Adults are here to supposedly guide children toward better health and success. Shaming should be a last resort. Can you blame young girls for wanting to be pretty and desirable in a society that rewards plastic women?

Instead of shaming us, empower us! Create safety and encourage girls to walk with pride in their clothes. Rather than invalidate the “slutty” behavior, validate the girl. Women don’t just dress sexily out of low self-esteem. I can’t believe so many people think this. It’s lose-lose: if she’s wearing a sexy outfit out of low self-esteem, she’s pathetic; if she has high self-esteem, she’s a nasty whore.

And – looking at that first headline – are creativity and sexiness mutually exclusive? Why the hell can’t some side boob be a part of a creative masterpiece? (And who says Halloween – a day we celebrate serial killers, criminals, and monsters – is a classy holiday anyway?) Get over your old-school puritanical judgment and stop projecting your self-loathing on people who are just having a good time. Side boob is not a sign of complete moral collapse. Do people think making side boob okay will result in our kids having orgies while puffing the marijuana in the elementary school gymnasium? (Digressing from side boob…)

Live and let live, people. I am guilty of slut shaming, but it’s no longer okay – I can’t be happier and more judgmental at the same time. Stop pretending you’re not being misogynist and self-righteous when you’re telling women they’re sad for dressing up in a sexy costume for Halloween. Grow up and learn to love yourself more.

/endrant

• 4 Reasons Not To Slut-Shame Women on Halloween | Bustle
• A Brief Guide To Not Slut Shaming People This Halloween | xoJane
• In Defense of Slut-O-Ween | The Daily Beast

Keep calm and slut on,
Michelle (& Moose)