The Halloween season seems to grow longer each year. Thanks to the mass commercialization of the holiday, decorations and costumes begin showing up in department stores as soon as October arrives. This year, as costumes begin being purchased or created, let us spare our outrage for just this one day and try not to be so sensitive about people’s costumes.

With Donald Trump as president, rampant gun violence and unreliable Wi-Fi, there is plenty of opportunity for students to express outrage.

There are costumes that are tasteless or insensitive, but a more effective and less stressful way to handle these instances is through some laughter. They risk being tuned out by the very people they are trying to win over with endless outcry over tacky costumes.

College students are in a dilemma. They want to achieve equal justice and social equality, but too often employ the wrong strategy that ultimately hurts the cause. In order to feel like they are having an impact, the outrage police wait for something to offend them then turn to the internet to shame others. Self-righteous social media fury is not a practical way to achieve anything constructive. In fact, it plays right into the hands of the enemies of social justice. It gives them a “boy who cried wolf” example to point to when real issues arise.

Decent, honest people recognize the importance of equal opportunity and the appalling existence of racism. Social media, for all its advantages, has given people an outlet to feel like they are making an impact. It takes more effort to join an organization and create a petition than it does to lecture a 20-year-old on the insensitivity of their sombrero.

Most Halloween costumes are not designed to be repugnant caricatures of a certain culture. If someone does wear a costume so obviously malicious, then shame on them. But most are not so ignorant.

Students cannot remain in their cocoons of security forever. If confronted with a costume by which, for whatever reason, they feel offended, it may be useful for them to discover a way to handle it that does not involve 140 characters in all caps.

Sometimes being exposed to things that make us uncomfortable helps us grow by opening a window to different viewpoints. This culture of censorship is both limiting free expression and fueling tribal bickering. If there was ever a day to take comfort in some self-deprecation and enjoy being politically incorrect, Halloween would be it.

Photo: Taylor Woods | The Oswegonian