Boo! Did my face scare you? On facial difference and Halloween.
It’s Halloween this week! I’m dressed as a flower!
Boo! Did I scare you? I hope not. Because some people are scared by facial difference year round.
Halloween costumes have a tendency to be scary – depicting facial differences in the form of scars, blood, redness and other disfigurements.
These costumes create negative stereotypes for those of us with facial differences. The stereotypes and stigma and fear around facial differences means that some of us have been asked to leave restaurants and stores; are seated away from the public; ignored by customer service assistants; experience discrimination from employers, taxi drivers and cleaners; and are stared at, taunted, mocked ridiculed and even endure physical violence. Research has shown people with facial differences are considered to be “less honest, less employable, less trustworthy, less capable, less intelligent and less attractive” than those without facial differences*.
People have suggested that my face would make a good Halloween costume, and I’ve had adults and children scream, cry, laugh or run away from me because they’re scared of my face. I’ve also experienced much of the discrimination I’ve listed above – because of fears about my facial difference It is exhausting and hurtful.
Costumes can be removed at the end of Halloween, People without facial differences generally don’t experience discrimination and hate speech as a response to their appearance. People with facial differences cannot remove our faces.
This is a reminder that facial difference, disability and culture are not costumes. Have fun at Halloween, but please don’t cause hurt and harm.
Check out Face Equality International for details about the great Fear No Face campaign with Sephora.
*Source: Marlene Rankin and Gregory Borah, ‘Perceived Functional Impact of Abnormal Facial Appearance, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 111/7 (2002), 2140-46.
More information on Halloween and facial difference:
Why Halloween is my hell1 – Face Equality International
Why is Halloween difficult for the facial difference community? – Face Equality International
Poor representation is the scariest part of Halloween – Changing Faces
And from me:
Facial difference is not your Halloween costume
Scary Face for Halloween – ugh, as if!
Images: Carly, a woman with a red face, wearing a felt hat that’s in the shape of a flower – it’s green and pupae with purple flowers and daisies on it, and a green and purple floral dress. She’s smiling.
Has this post helped you think about facial difference and disability? Has it made you reconsider your costume?
Please consider buying me a drink. Thank you.
The post Boo! Did my face scare you? On facial difference and Halloween. first appeared on Carly Findlay.
