“Border-hoppers” with skimpy ponchos, sexy geishas with tight kimonos, flirty Indian chiefs with tall headdress and bootylicious “sistah” with bamboo earrings will all be worn by the racially insensitive and closed-minded this Halloween. Also, wearers of these outfits often happily paint their faces brown and black in a “harmless” attempt to represent someone from a different ethnicity or race.

The urge to wear a bindi, a sombrero, a set of grillz, an inauthentic accent or another’s skin tone should be stifled and suppressed because it is deeply insensitive and completely unnecessary. No, Oct. 31st isn’t time to guiltlessly mock or sexualize other ethnic groups. Nor is it the time to forget how history has trampled ethnic groups’ misrepresentations. And, the presumption is Halloween should be fun for everyone, not just white people.

Themed costumes and coloring skin are practices that are as tasteless as the racist ideologies and histories that founded them. Blackface doesn’t enhance a costume; instead, it resurrects racist traditions involving minstrel shows, Jim Crow, caricatures and unflattering misrepresentations -- all done to dehumanize people of color.

"The ability to be ignorant, to be unaware of the history and consequences of racial bigotry, to simply do as one pleases, is a quintessential element of privilege. The ability to disparage, to demonize, to ridicule, and to engage in racially hurtful practices from the comfort of one's segregated neighborhoods and racially homogeneous schools reflects both privilege and power. The ability to blame others for being oversensitive, for playing the race card, or for making much ado about nothing are privileges codified structurally and culturally," Dr. David J. Leonard said to Huffington Post.

So, if stumped, and one truly can’t figure out what to be this Halloween, then dress as a monster or a character from a favorite book, tv show or movie (without doing black or brown face). Perhaps think of an idea that’s more cerebral or comical (e.g., dressing as your own doppelganger, a brain storm, a book mark, a sushi roll, a mime or a music instrument). The options are literately limitless.

You’re not sure if the costume is offensive? Then ask someone. At least one person in your inner circle will let you know if you’re crossing a line. A good friend -- No, a great friend wouldn’t let you be a racist this Halloween. A great friend would remind you that good intentions mean nothing when you’re dealing blows to others with your “ironic” or “hilarious” Ray Rice and Janay Rice costume, which not only attacks race (when wearing black face), but it shows a distinct hatred toward women. When choosing an costume this Halloween, remember that people do matter.

Jesse Williams, star of “Grey's Anatomy,” went to Twitter to share his thoughts on racist costumes: “When Halloween comes around, how exactly does dressing as Trayvon and other illustrations of black pain make you feel?”

“What about black pain is so fun to you? From where is that joy derived?” Williams tweeted to his 785,000 followers, remarking on the reemergence of costumes depicting Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman, who is Martin’s killer.

Quick Google searches will reveal a plethora of cool, fun and inoffensive Halloween ideas to consider.

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