Disney is under scrutiny for a Halloween costume based off the character of Maui from their upcoming movie Moana, with many saying it’s racist.
Everyone is pumped for Disney’s newest animated feature, Moana, which promises to not only be full of diversity and girl power, but also seems like it’ll just be an awesome movie, period. Check out the latest trailer.
But Disney is not infallible, and plenty of people are calling out the company for a controversial Halloween costume they’ve recently put out on the market.
Moana is about a young woman who meets the demigod Maui, and they team up to go on an epic quest that will take them across the ocean and help them find the answers they seek.
The Halloween costume Disney recently put up for sale allows your child to dress up as Maui himself. Describing the costume, Disney writes, “Your little one will set off on adventures in this Maui Costume featuring the demigod’s signature tattoos, rope necklace and island-style skirt. Plus, padded arms and legs for mighty stature!”
According to Disney, the costume’s details include:
- Allover Maui body tattoo screen art
- Padded chest, shoulders, and calves
- Rope accent at neck and waist
- Photorealistic teeth art appliqués
- Screen art skirt with leaf accents
- Self-stick fabric closure at back
It costs anywhere from $44.95 to $49.95 and is available for purchase now.
The main issue here is the brown fabric used in the costume, which some are saying is racist and appropriates Polynesian and Hawaiian culture, even likening it to blackface.
As far as we can remember, Disney’s never released a costume that changes the color of the wearer’s skin. And Twitter’s not happy either:
As a Poly I support our folk involved in #MOANA. But this? NO.Our Brown Skin/Ink's NOT a costume. @DisneyMoana pic.twitter.com/X0pacppAqV
— TheBlackSheep.com (@LivinOffTheGrid) September 18, 2016
cosplaying things like moana is one thing – cosplay shouldn't be limited to what ur race is. but literally wearing a brown skin costume? no
— ✨ hannah ✨ (@donnatroying) September 19, 2016
Maui Costume for Kids https://t.co/A5Phni36Vo This might be the creepiest thing Disney has ever done. "Wear another culture's skin!"
— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) September 17, 2016
As excited as I am for #Moana, and as cool as Maui will be, other people's skins are not costumes. @DisneyAnimation https://t.co/p9RsWt18o0
— jess banks (@ProfBanks) September 18, 2016
As of this writing, Disney has yet to comment, and Dwayne Johnson, who voices Maui, has yet to address the issue either. We’ll update with any further commentary.
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