The Day of the Dead is known as La Fête des Morts in France, held on November 2nd. Religious origin, specifically Catholic. Following La Toussaint (all Saints Day, Nov.1st) again religious, specifically Catholic. I just realized that by "Day of the Dead", you meant Halloween on October 31st. "Day of the Dead" having a completely different significance in my country. Not one which implies a festive celebration.
Around the mid 90's is when Halloween started being celebrated in France though remaining distinct from the actual Day of the Dead. It is still viewed as "An American Holiday" and for that reason is not celebrated by French families who abide to a traditionalist view of celebrating only French origin holidays. But you will find among those who celebrate it a variety of scary costumes. This is still sort of a novelty so it has not reached the point of people being offended based on costumes portraying another culture or ethnic group. From what I recall, the choice of costumes remains the scary type. You do not find the diversity in styles of costumes you find in the US.
If any sense of being offended, it is reflected among the French who view Halloween as a purely commercial enterprise which clashes with the non commercial aspect of our Toussaint and Fete des Morts (Nov.1st and Nov.2nd). The sole commercial aspect being flower shops stocking up on flowers and wreaths to be laid on the graves of our beloved deceased on Nov. 2nd.
Essentially if you and your family were in France, you would not have to worry about offending anyone based on wearing a costume or dress up as one of the characters of the movie. Granted the dressing up occurs on October 31st, not on the actual Day of the Dead.
I know the movie (made by a Mexican) Book of Life celebrates this holiday and it has been getting a lot of attention this holiday season. Would it be insulting and racist if one of my 'white' kids wanted to dress up as one of the characters from the movie?
What are your thoughts?
I have never been invested in celebrating Halloween. I will give out candy to kids, that's it. I have never given it a thought as to whether costumes worn by kids are offensive to anyone sensitivity. So, let me dig in my mind and envision what would make me frown. Worst I could envision which would give me a chill in my bones and basically shock me would be a kid dressed up as Hitler, in full uniform. That because for people of my generation whose elder relatives were profoundly affected by the Nazi regime, especially when you are of Jewish ancestry. I suppose to a Black family, a kid showing up wearing a KKK costume might evoke something very somber as it symbolizes a history which hit way too close to home.
I do not know if you saw reactions in the social media to some folks going with a hazmat costume. A lot of people being quite agitated about it and I suppose because it evokes a current tragedy (Ebola) and in their mind not even the festive and entertaining aspect of Halloween should humor that current tragedy.
