Would you get dressed up in blackface as well? Or go to a Halloween party as Aunt Jemima? Put on a minstrel outfit? No? Then, why would you dress as a geisha? Is it really possible that you don't see how that could be offensive? I'm extremely disappointed in you, Blogging Baby. I hope you have the decency to publish my comment. I also hope that you have the decency to apologize. But most importantly, I hope you see how you're playing into and reenforcing racial stereotypes that most minorities don't find amusing.

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No, it doesn't work for me, though MetroDad has better and stronger words for why. I feel it is dressing as an ethnicity, not a character. Some of those cut-down kimonos on the link are really really awful and are clearly meant to evoke some kind of "Asian woman" stereotype that doesn't need any support.

If I want something that hides my baby bulges I have a very fine clown costume, plus I can match the kids. If I want to look slinky I'll put on my hottest black shirt and black pants and add some black cat ears, some whiskers, and a tail.

Not this, no.

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Dressing up as a race is rude but guess what? White kids go around saying "Nigga this" and "Nigga that" and no one seems to mind. We do need to keep in mind that today's geisha girls? Are of many races. Anyone could be one.

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I don't really agree with the "sexy, slinky" appeal that you wrote about this costume. The kimono is a form of dress that has been in Japan for a very long time. I don't believe giving this stereotype to the kimono is very fitting, but wearing it for fun because you like the culture, and not for "sexy", is a smart way to do it.

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I'm living in Japan right now, and after seeing regular everyday people wear kimonos on weekends and festivals I would never wear it as a costume as it is indeed a regular outfit here and making it a costume would be too disrespectful for me.
People actually wear kimonos to run errands, go to the park or anything, it's really not something that only "geishas" wear, and it certainly not something that is considered sexy here.

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I think people are taking costumes way to serious. It is Halloween, a time to be someone or something different. Should we not dress like cats because it is a feline stereotype. GET A LIFE!!!! It is halloween have fun.

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How in the world is this costume disrespectful to the Japanese? As a kid, I dressed up as a farmer once for Halloween. Since some farmers really do wear overalls, etc. for practical reasons, was I disrespecting those who farm?

It is possible to find offense in everything, but that doesn't make it well-founded, logical, or valid.

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Metrodad,

I deeply apologize for any offense that I may have caused by my post. It was not meant in any hurtful way.

I am deeply aware of racial and cultural issues. My intent was to present an option to mothers who could dress up in something comfortable for Halloween, I was obviously way off mark.

Heather

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I like the idea. It's cute and fun. BTW, would I offend anyone if I dressed up in a business suit? Some people where them everyday. How about if I dressed up as a baby? Have I offended anyone? Relax everyone. It's Halloween.

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