King 5 News reports on changes being made to local Halloween celebrations at a school in Washington:
The school district says it got calls from witches - yes, actual witches - complaining about the continuation of ugly stereotypes. "That witches are portrayed with pointy noses and flying on broomsticks," said Karen Hansen, Puyallup School District. The district says it is just trying to be sensitive to individual religious beliefs, whether you're a practicing catholic or practicing witchcraft. ... Puyallup school officials say the decision to cancel Halloween celebrations is a permanent one and students who wear costumes to school will be asked to take them off or leave.
There is more going on here than the news report is revealing. I'm not surprised that Wiccans would complain about stereotypes of witches and asking that they not be permitted. It would be just as proper for school officials to restrict costumes of witches as it would be for them to restrict costumes that stereotype Jews or blacks.
That does not, however, explain ending Halloween costume celebrations completely. I find it difficult to believe that any Wiccans would ask that costumes and decorations be taken out entirely and, even if some did, I find it difficult to believe that the schools would comply. There is simply no connection between "some Halloween costumes and decorations perpetuate religious stereotypes and so should be avoided" and "let's end all Halloween decorations, costumes, events, and celebrations." Treating stereotypes of witches like stereotypes of other religions or various races/ethnicities should be more than sufficient.
Read More: