The world has certainly changed.

An older generation once volunteered for war and ran toward the bullets.

The children and grandchildren of those who survived were reared on slap-down slogans: Youngsters developed to the tune of “That’s life,” “Tough stuff,” “Because I said so,” “You don’t have to like it,” and a three-syllable saying involving excrement’s inevitability.

Today — seemingly — life must be equitable, nothing should be tough, you’re the one who gets to say so, and it has to be something you like.

As for that other one, color California nostalgically brown:

San Francisco poop map. pic.twitter.com/MB06FsNZyE

— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) April 17, 2019

Given our gentler time, Michigan State University recently instructed students on what not to wear for Halloween.

Not long ago, the holiday was a free-for-all — costumes were constrained only by celebrants’ creativity.

But now, per the college’s Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, sensitivity must reign supreme.

Hence, Health Promotion Director Dennis Martell took time to deliver a lesson.

Online article “Costume Selection Matters” laid it out:

For many visible and invisible identities, Halloween summons more than ghouls and goblins. While most think of Halloween as a time to dress in costume and celebrate all things spooky, it also can become a breeding ground for racist, sexist, culturally insensitive and biased behaviors.

“Halloween can be an opportunity to creatively dress and decorate,” the piece permitted, “but experts say it’s important to consider how costumes that portray specific groups of people in demeaning ways — as criminals, hyper-sexualized and/or grotesque caricatures — can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.”

All hail the experts — director Dennis dunked via alley-oop:

“Misrepresentation and acts to dehumanize others have long been a way for certain groups to exercise racial superiority.”

The writeup reminded everyone to avoid any costumes referencing the following:

• Pandemic victim
• Black face
• Holocaust victim
• Cultural stereotypes
• Body-shaming and objectifying
• Islamophobia
• Transphobia
• Mental illness
• Sexual harassment
• Homelessness
• National tragedies

The list came courtesy of Student Success Initiatives Assistant Dean Dr. Genyne L. Royal.

“[C]ostumes can elicit trauma if they poke fun at the experiences of historical harm, bigotry or displacement,” the paper posed.

Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Jabbar R. Bennett concurred:

“Historically, members of racial and ethnic, as well as sexual and gender minority communities, have been ridiculed and portrayed as deviant, lazy, sub-human and unintelligent. When people dress in costumes that portray such negative images, it gives credence to these stereotypes.”

Amid the discussion came something curious: Though our modern-day delicateness is light-years from the past’s weather-worn ways, there’s still a call to the high stakes of yore.

In fact, it appears, there’s no difference between contemporary crimes of crassness — AKA having on gauche getups — and those bullets braved by the Greatest Generation.

Dennis fired a ferocious fact:

“When we dehumanize others, we position ourselves to justify and accept other forms of violence such as sexual assault and murder.”

Indeed — don’t be the type of pro-murder monster who’d ever dress as a cultural stereotype; resist the urge to revel in rape like someone who’d harken to a hobo for Halloween.

Furthermore, MSU’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion associate director — Eduardo Olivo — axed appropriation:

“Someone’s culture should not be someone else’s costume.”

A senior in the School of Criminal Justice seconded:

“Cultures are not costumes; marginalized people carry the hardships coming with their identities every day of the calendar, and cannot simply shed our identities after Halloween night. My peers should reflect on what a costume signifies and consists of to make wise decisions about dressing up.”

Of course, Halloween is over.

But our migration toward a moratorium on masquerading as anyone but ourselves is likely to lug us onward, deeper into a sea of colossal cultural change.

Enlightenment is our sails’ wind; wokeness is the boat built to carry us out.

These days, ship happens.

And as I’ve previously pointed out: If you need more proof society’s stakes have substantially changed, consider a college’s approach to pummeling the profound perils of present-day prejudice…

University Teaches Pulverized Pupils to Rumble With Racism – by Taking Naps
https://t.co/PktBBCSqfh

— RedState (@RedState) February 28, 2021

-ALEX

See more content from me:

Bill Maher Continues His Anti-Democrat Streak, Wipes the Floor With the Woke Over Words

Forensic Anthropologists Say ‘Cloaked’ Whiteness Soils Science, Cops Care Less About BIPOC Bones

‘Ladies and Gentlemen,’ the University of Pittsburgh Says You’re Canceled

Find all my RedState work here.

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