Imagine my shock when I happened across a news article this
afternoon, depicting two British women dressed for Halloween as the Twin
Towers. The women, one dressed as the South and one the North towers, were
spotted at a night club in England, winning a costume contest. I am not sure
the age group in which I am speaking to. As college students we are many
different ages, but I can say with confidence that you have heard of 9/11 and
the horror of that day. Some may feel distanced from it, due to their age, but
I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember seeing the people jumping out
of the buildings, falling to their death because the alternative was being
blown to bits or burning to death. Thinking back, I cannot believe that that
was on the news, the people jumping that is, but it was real and the truth, and
I am glad that the event was not sugar coated because the nature behind the
event, the meaning would have been lost to future generations. I remember my
teachers crying. I wasn’t very old then, 13 or so, but the impact of that day
will go with me. I went to school with people who lost family there. I have met
people since then that have lost family during that crisis. It was a sad day.
Normally, I try to ignore people’s ignorance, when it comes
to creating costumes they deem fitting or funny, but I believe these girls took
it a step too far. I understand that they are across the pond, and their
emotions concerning the incident are separated from us because they are not
American citizens, but they should not have worn such offensive costumes. The
article reads that they were even sure to add the people jumping from the
buildings. They added smoke and fire, and they topped it off with an American
flag. They claim that their intent was not to offend. It was to simply dress as
a modern day disaster. They issued a public apology, but I do not buy it. Take
a look at the picture that they were seen in, do they not look like they are
partying it up in their costumes that are supposed to represent a terrible day
for Americans everywhere? I imagine they believed that it would be hilarious
and creative enough to win the costume contest, and they were right in that
sense. I also imagine that they did not realize that anyone would ever see
their costumes around the world. So, what do you think? Do you think that they
were ignorant to the repercussions of their decision? What does that day mean
to you? Do you remember it? What were you doing? How do you feel when you see
this picture and read the story?
I have to say that I do not agree with your opinion on this one. Elements of it, yes, I do, but for the most part I respectfully don't agree. 9/11 is one of the most tragic days in our country's history. I was too young to really remember a whole lot about what was going on at the time, but the significance of it certainly struck me as I got older and learned more about it. The costume itself is crude, yes. Offensive? Probably. But I don't think its up to you or me or anybody to tell someone what they can and can't wear. That is where free speech comes in. If you start telling people that "You can't wear that, its offensive", then where will it end? Not anywhere good, I'm sure. We have to stop a society that is so easily offended about everything. Maybe then people wouldn't try so hard to provoke a reaction.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brandon we cannot tell people what they can and can not wear. Yes while 9/11 may hold a lot of meaning for us, it may not be the same for the British. There were two people in America who dressed as George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin for Halloween, and there are many people who were upset by this. No matter how much we are personally outraged as an individual, or by a group we can't infringed on someone's right to dress how they want for Halloween.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that they won the costume contest was very shocking to me. The first time I heard of the story I didn’t know they were from England. I agree that maybe they were not affected by 9/11 as many Americans. I am not making excuses because I still feel that their costumes are not funny or smart considering the history behind the twin towers. I was just as outraged when I heard of the girl who dressed up as a victim in the Boston massacre. I do however think they are dumb and insensitive to the people and families of the people who lost their lives in the events. However, I agree that we can’t tell them what they can or can’t wear. That could open up a big can of worms. However, I don’t feel bad for the girl who dressed up as a Boston massacre victim and was later fired.
ReplyDeleteObviously, what they did was classless. While they apologized for any of those they may have offended, I still have no idea what the purpose of dressing the way they did was. While I agree with those above me that we have no right to tell someone what or what to do, even citing free speech as precedent, I would argue that there is also precedent to make judgments on someone's speech or actions after they are committed. Put in more legal terms, just because a news source cannot be prevented from printing/releasing obscene material doesn't mean there won't be repercussions later. I may have only been 9 at the time, but I still remember watching the chaos that morning, absolutely distraught by what was going on. What these girls did was beyond inconsiderate to the thousands of those who perished and many, many more who were affected by those they lost. Their reasons for dressing the way they did were self serving, and at least wish they had been a little more sensitive to the ongoing suffering of others.
DeleteI would like to say that I appreciate this story being covered. There is no better way to understand people than to observe their actions, and this story again shows what some are willing to do for a little attention.
I think stories like these should be ignored. There is only one reason that people dress as offensive costumes on Halloween, and that is to get attention. Just as Domonique said, this past Halloween, people dressed as Zimmerman and Trayvon. There are going to be people every year who will dress as a controversial subject for Halloween, but if the media and people do not give them attention, then it just looks like bad taste. And I agree with what was said above, it is nobody's business as to how people dress. What may be offensive to you and I may not be offensive to someone else. We cannot set that precedent of trying to spare people's feelings, because it will get to a point where everybody is offended by something. Just like those people who are offended by saying the pledge of allegiance at school (which I find absolutely ridiculous), I can only do what is right for me. You can't make someone dress a certain way or act in a certain way just because it is the norm of society.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the girl that dressed up as the Boston Marathon victim.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chicagonow.com/pace-of-chicago/2013/11/alicia-ann-lynch-the-girl-who-decided-to-dress-like-boston-marathon-victim-for-halloween/
Like Aaron mentioned, stories like these should not be given much or any attention. It tries to make a joke out of situations that should not even be thought about in a joking manner. We don't have to all agree with what other people find appropriate and funny, but what we can do is not give it as much attention as we do. People like that might actually find it entertaining and unoffensive. To them it just a joke, so it's easier to actually ignore than to give any attention to. Some people aim to push buttons, they know how easily people are offended so why not go for it? This will always be an issue if the media keeps giving stories like this attention.
I was equally as disgusted when I first ran across this picture on social media. These girls clearly knew what they were doing and it this display is nothing but offensive to Americans everywhere. The most shocking part of this whole story, in my opinion, was the fact that one of the girl's fathers was a pilot who was flying in the U.S. during the time of 9/11. You would think that would make the tragedy of 9/11 a little bit closer to home for her. I was only nine when 9/11 happened but I remember it like it was yesterday. I do not find it acceptable for anyone to make fun of a tragedy that happens in another country. The additional detail of the people falling to their death was just sickening!
ReplyDelete