In the year of growing presidential campaigns, divided on race and gender, and creepy sightings of “clowns” with weapons, it seems harder than ever to find a costume that won’t get you into trouble.

Some schools and cities have already banned many outfits that represent a “clown.”  Not only that, but Halloween stores are facing protests from people that their costumes copy or mimic traditional ethnicities.  Past problems have led to warnings at several universities about what costumes students should choose to wear.  Now, there are also helpful guides online for what to avoid when choosing the right costume for Halloween.

New Providence High School is a school with strict rules when it comes to Halloween.  When teachers and students were asked about this situation, here’s what they had to say.

One ninth grader at New Providence High School, Meghan Lamanna,  believes that a Halloween costume crosses the line when it is too violent or inappropriate, or, for example,  if it makes fun of political people or religion.  She thinks that schools and colleges should ban those costumes that are rude, or represent anything politically that can potentially hurt somebody.  When asked whether she thinks there will be problems with costumes this year, Lamanna says she has no worries about kids and them wearing inappropriate costumes this year.  She will be dressing up as the King of Spades along with her friends.  When choosing the costume, they made sure they were school inappropriate, and didn’t offend anyone. As everyone has fun on Halloween, Lamanna wants to make sure students choose costumes that are appropriate for school don’t offend anyone in anyway.

Mr. Paris, Japanese teacher at New Providence High School, believes anything that is offensive to someone’s race, gender, or religion is when a costume crosses the line.    Mr. Paris thinks that schools should be more aware of costumes that advocate violence or anything insensitive and he believes that kids should be very considerate when choosing their costumes.  He says, “what might be fun to them might make someone else feel bad about themselves.”  His advice to kids when picking out costumes is that they should wear something they would want to be seen in, in front of their principal.

He says there’s something called the platinum rule.  It means to treat someone else as they would like to be treated.  That’s what he tries to do.  You never know how each person reacts to something.  Everyone has a different perspective and view of things.  Mr. Paris says that he thinks there should be no problems with costumes this year.  When asked whether he will be dressing up or not he replied with a “yes, but it’s a secret.”

When deciding on Halloween costumes, students should abide by their school’s rules.  Although Halloween is a fun time of the year, it’s also a time of the year where costumes can turn “dangerous” in certain situations.  Being thoughtful and meaningful when choosing a costume can make a whole difference.

So, next time you chose your costume, think about it.  Is it appropriate and something you don’t mind everyone seeing you in?