Comments on: ‘Illegal Alien’ Halloween Costumes Cash in on Racist Stereotypes

By: Chris "Jesdisciple"

Chris "Jesdisciple" — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:40:21 +0000

Because of the stereotype of Mexican illegals, Latinos take anything about illegals somewhat personally. So I don't agree with use of any humor on this topic because, this article being a case in point, not everyone is laughing.

But you're right; illegal immigration is wrong.

By: abasch

abasch — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:16:32 +0000

ET was a good guy. And what about Chewbacca?

By: abasch

abasch — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:14:39 +0000

Then again, I can see how it could offend someone who lives here illegally. While living here illegally is wrong, I just wouldn't want to risk offending someone at the cost of a joke and it in the interest of helping them in the long run.

I know some illegal families, so I would use discretion in wearing this in a community consisting of several illegal immigrants.

Plus I could get jumped. ;-P

By: abasch

abasch — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:10:55 +0000

I think people are missing the obvious humor of this costume. I think the whole correlation between people who are living here illegally and this alien costume ("costume" emphasized) are taking this way too seriously. They are making something out of it, that it really isn't.

And while I empathize with immigrants being a first US-born on my dad's side, one should not enter this country illegally. It does not mean that people feel "illegal aliens" are less human.

Again, I think people are taking this way too seriously.

Respectfully,

Aaron

By: Chris "Jesdisciple"

Chris "Jesdisciple" — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:40:21 +0000

But you're right; illegal immigration is wrong.

By: abasch

abasch — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:16:32 +0000

ET was a good guy. And what about Chewbacca?

By: abasch

abasch — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:14:39 +0000

By: abasch

abasch — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:10:55 +0000

By: cyberwalker

cyberwalker — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:11:57 +0000

From an online dictionary:

alien – a resident born in or belonging to another country who has not acquired citizenship by naturalization.

By: cyberwalker

cyberwalker — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:09:37 +0000

Illegal alien is not a particular race. There are white illegal aliens, black illegal aliens, Latino illegal aliens, and Asian illegal aliens. Also, there are white Americans, black Americans, Latino Americans, and Asian Americans. So, if an American is opposed to illegal immigration, who is expressing their racism against who?

By: Faydine

Faydine — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:41:11 +0000

I've known pregnant women to do it because they think it's a great joke.

For non-pregnant people, it's probably just a recognizable outfit. Others really hated their teachers in Catholic schools. Do I think any of them do it to honor those they dress up as? Of course not.

By: Chris "Jesdisciple"

Chris "Jesdisciple" — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:26:19 +0000

People dress up as priests and nuns for Halloween? … Not sure what to think of that. Avoiding controversial characters? (In evangelical churches, some folks object to “scary” costumes.) Making a counter-cultural statement? …

By: Chris "Jesdisciple"

Chris "Jesdisciple" — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:07:02 +0000

An alien from outer space with an orange jump suit and card that both have English words on them? That would be an incredible coincidence, even in a sci-fi movie.

You state the obvious and yet draw a not-so-obvious conclusion. Blog = publicity. But the specific reason for putting something on a blog may differ from our prejudices, and may even be the stated reason.

Please start trying to assume good faith on the part of the other side; it took me a while. Sometimes they make good points, sometimes not so good. But party politics blinds us to both.

By: tlwinslow

tlwinslow — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:39:22 +0000

I said they seized on the issue to get publicity, which is just what they did. Anybody who just wanted to dress up like an illegal alien from outer space for Trick or Treat or maybe for a sci-fi convention cheap with an off-the-rack costume is now out of luck

By: Chris "Jesdisciple"

Chris "Jesdisciple" — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:32:21 +0000

Not everything is propaganda; there is such a thing as honest discourse that disagrees with you or me. I know we get a lot that seems manipulative like you suppose, but I think we're hyper-sensitive to it. The post struck me as propaganda at first too, but read through it; it's pretty fair other than the point being made, and that fact supports its overall credibility.

This site is not a Democratic mouthpiece. I have yet to meet anyone who responded to my rather hardcore conservative opinions with anything more than disagreement and curiosity. I think that notice at the top of the comments section works.

By: Chris "Jesdisciple"

Chris "Jesdisciple" — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:55:15 +0000

Yes, we are despised by the world. That doesn't justify deriding others. You probably don't mean it that way, but I can't see anything else to take away from your argument.

So the fact that some like aliens means we shouldn't have any problem throwing the term around however we want? In our culture, space aliens are typically cast as the bad guy.

By: Faydine

Faydine — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:21:55 +0000

If they think they're doing good, sure. I think there were priests involved with those women journalists in N. Korea.

I think Carlos was referring to people laughing at nuns as priests as being a problem.

By: Faydine

Faydine — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:20:04 +0000

I think that is precisely why Peter used the term. We are unwelcomed here and don't fit in. Even on this website if you say you believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, many will be threatened by my existence as well as my agenda.

But I have friends who firmly believe that the salvation of our planet will probably come from those from another planet, and that the future will hold a much better world. They welcome space aliens with open arms, even if they do look the costume, and want people to see them as a hope and not a threat.

By: tlwinslow

tlwinslow — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:39:09 +0000

I think pro-immigrant groups seized on this to get publicity. The alien is an E.T., jeesh.

Still, these groups need all the publicity they can get, especially for the new nonpartisan Megamerge Dissolution Solution of finally incorporating Mexico into the U.S. as 10+ new states sans the corrupt Mexican federal govt.

By: BuckeyeDon

BuckeyeDon — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:39:47 +0000

(*Btw: I refuse to call them illegal immigrants because "illegal" refers to actions, not to people. Their immigration is illegal, but they are not.)

Good for you! I'm with you all the way.