Walmart Pulls Controversial Costumes

By: Vincent Kania

While there have been no shortage of controversial Halloween costumes before, Walmart may have stepped the line and gone too far this time. They released a line of costumes that had features very similar to the uniforms worn by modern Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. Walmart was immediately criticized by many different groups, citing that the costume was extremely racist and that Walmart was "promoting occupation and killing of innocent teens this Halloween season" (Bayly para. 4). Walmart quickly removed the item from store shelves, but it seems the damage has already been done.

In today's world, it is very important to take into account other people's beliefs and standards. It is important for not only everyday people, but big name companies such as Walmart to realize the effect they have on other people. Walmart has put itself in a position where many people may think they are racist and will never shop there again. There is more damage being done to the rest of the world, however, than just to Walmart's sales. Allowing ideas like this to actually come to fruition show that racism is alive and well today, and it shows that we need to do a better job as human beings to identify when we are being offensive to someone else, and when to shut these situations down before they happen. Walmart is now under intense scrutiny from the public eye, and rightfully so. It may be a while before they recover from this, but that is ultimately what needs to happen in order for people to understand that things like this are not OK.

Bayly, Lucy. Israeli Soldier Kids Costume. Digital image. NBC News. N.p., 29 Oct. 2015. Web. 1 Nov. 2015.

Bayly, Lucy. "Wal-Mart Pulls Israeli Soldier Costume, Fake 'Sheik' Nose Off Shelves." NBC News. N.p., 29 Oct. 2015. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.