halloween

• Doreen Oliver shares her story about her son wanting to be a princess for Halloween, and how the white-washed princess costumes gave her pause. [The New York Times]
• Speaking of the dead, you can always pay your respects by visiting the grave sites of some of America's most famous writers. Here's a run-down of their final resting places.  [The Atlantic]
• Scary flicks are a must on this spooky holiday, but don't be fooled by all of the misrepresented and stigmatized depictions of women with mental illness often found in horror films. Here's a read to make you think twice before you judge that "crazy bitch." [Bitch Flicks]
• Here's a fabulous list of some of the most badass (and overlooked) horror film heroines of all time. But watch out! They might bite. [The Hairpin]
• People can't seem to get enough of zombies these days. Ever wondered where their story originated? Amy Wilentz lays it out. [The New York Times]
• Don't be racist, don't be racist, don't be racist! Kelsey shared a good run-down last week, but here is another eloquent take on how to not be racist for Halloween. [Tiger Beatdown]
• What's creepier than the creepiest horror film you've ever seen? When they're real! Here's a list of scary movies based on true stories. [Flavorwire]
• UTNE is posting some of their best posts on contemporary witchcraft and feminst spirituality—here's one of them. [UTNE Reader]
• And finally, Sociological Images has rounded up their Halloween-themed posts, that range from the good (women laughing with salad!), the bad ("Anna Rexia"), and the ugly (did we mention that people are really racist on Halloween?) [Sociological Images]

So what are you costumed in for the holiday? Read anyting good? Share in the comments section below!

Like a pap smear or tax season, it happens every year: People wear racist and sexist costumes on Halloween. Hell, maybe you’ve done it yourself! You didn't know what to be for that one party so you jammed some feathers in a headband and called yourself Pocahontas. Or you grabbed a toy donkey and a poncho and went as a cartoonish Mexican. We’ve all made mistakes and hopefully learned something from them, like how not to be the offensive asshole hanging out by the pumpkin keg. Because seriously, you really shouldn’t wear that stuff.

Halloween is a time to bust out that creativity, play into the fantasy, and eat a ton of candy. It’s not a time to push adult sexuality or hyped up ideas of ideal bodies onto young kids. I’d rather by scared on Halloween by ghosts and goblins than by thoughts of little kids running amok in overly sexualized costumes.

What does a sex worker look like? Not like "Captain Hooker" here. (Well, maybe sometimes, but not always.)

Well, Ladyween weekend is officially upon us! (And yes, we're still trying to make Ladyween happen around here. It'll catch on before you know it—trust us.) Here are some holiday jams to get you in the mood. Listen IF YOU DARE! (BEWARE: Scary track list after the jump!)

Halloween is a notorious time for offensive outfits. If you're still not sure what your costume is going to be this year, make sure you don't go the culturally appropriative route. Dressing up as "another culture," is racist, and an act of privilege. Fortunately, thanks to some college students behind Students Teaching About Racism in Society (STARS), an Ohio University organization, cultural appropriation is getting some more attention through their series of posters boldly challenge racist costume ideas.

• At Clutch, Drew-Shane Daniels asks, "Why Won't TV Networks Let Black Actors Be Great?"
• African Sexualities: A Reader, a groundbreaking anthology edited by Ugandan feminist/lawyer/academic Sylvia Tamale, is out! 
• Love Thursday Night 'Lights? You can catch Kirthana blogging at MTV Remote Control now too! 
• At xo jane, s.e. smith takes on the trend of the "mental patient" Halloween costume.
• A woman with a disability writes on her perspective on Slutwalk over at the Ms. Magazine blog. 
• ...while Black Artemis feels betrayed by some members of Slutwalk. 
• Finally, Joyce at Collapse Board makes us all jealous with her super cool tour of girls' rock camps across the US. 

Tell us what you're thinkin'/readin' in the comments below!

Ladyween (yes, that's what we're calling Halloween here at Bitch HQ these days—it's gonna catch on, trust us) is fast approaching. If you're still searching for the perfect costume, one that combines feminism with history and still leaves you looking sharp, look no further than the Adventures in Feministory archives!

Oh, hey, it's Halloween everybody! Halloween, of course, is the holiday when we celebrate terror, goofy outfits, and bad life decisions made at parties that get ever-so-slightly out-of hand. I'm sure lots of you will be celebrating this sacred day with "costumes" and "parties" and "actually leaving the house." But, as for me - having failed, for the second year in a row now, to assemble a sufficiently creepy Dov Charney costume (BEHOLD THE TRUE FACE OF FEAR*) - I will be celebrating by "blogging." And I invite you to celebrate with me! Put down your various judgment-impeding beverages, leave your friends behind, and join me, on this guided Internet tour of POP-RELATED CELEBRITY HORROR. Featuring: 

 

LADY GAGA as... THE FACE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING! 

So, Halloween is upon us once again. Or, as I like to call it, "The Night of a Thousand Gagas."

You guys! SO MANY PEOPLE are going to be Lady Gaga! You can find tips on how to be the Gaga of your choice; you can design your own Gaga; a close friend of mine is getting into the spirit by manufacturing multiple Gaga costumes for a Gaga-themed party. 

The appeal of the Gaga costume is undeniable. For one thing, it is easy. It goes (a) blond wig, (b) sunglasses, (c) the most absurd thing you can think of. Do you have a leather jacket? Would you consider wearing it with a swimsuit? Lady Gaga sure would! BLAM, Halloween costume achieved. But then, there's another factor: the fact that the entire "Lady Gaga" concept is, basically, a Halloween costume already. Gaga just wears it all year round.