Teen Vogue is a U.S. publication, launched in 2003, as a sister publication to Vogue. Targeted at preteen girls, it included stories about fashion and celebrities. In 2015 the magazine cut back on its print distribution expanding its online content, and ended its print publication in 2017. Since moving online, the magazine has expanded its focus from fashion and beauty to include politics and current affairs. In this video, six women of color discuss what it means to see their cultures turned into halloween costumes. The women – Yasmin Younis, a first generation Iraqi American muslim; Emily Wong, a Chinese born American; Valerie Reynoso, who is of multiracial descent including Taino Arawak; Cashman Aiu, who is kanaka maoli/Native Hawaiian; Gianna Collier-Pitts, who is African American; and Laura Cortez, who is a first generation Latina – are shown the costumes and discuss what it means to them to see their cultures caricatured via Halloween costumes. 

discussion

Who’s speaking in this clip? What are they talking about?

What are some of the reasons the women say seeing their cultures turned into costumes upset them?

Why do you think Teen Vogue decided to make this video? Think about who their audience is.

Have you experienced your culture being turned into a costume? How did it make you feel? Do you feel differently after seeing this video?