Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Blind Halloween Costume (self.Blind)
submitted by squatty--potty
Hello all, I was wondering if it’d be offensive if I dressed up as a blind ref for halloween and figured this would be the best place to ask. I am a ref and have been called blind multiple times so I thought it’d be a funny joke but I was unsure of how it would be seen by blind individuals, as I don’t want it to seem as if I’m making fun of any group of people. Please let me know if this is a funny costume idea or kind of crossing the line. Thanks for your opinions.
Edit: as some of you have suggested I’m going to use a blindfold instead of acting as if I am blind. I believe this is the best way to convey that refs (including myself) often miss calls while also not offending anyone who feels that going as a blind person would be insensitive as that was never my intent. Thank you to everyone who replied!
Edit: as some of you have suggested I’m going to use a blindfold instead of acting as if I am blind. I believe this is the best way to convey that refs (including myself) often miss calls while also not offending anyone who feels that going as a blind person would be insensitive as that was never my intent. Thank you to everyone who replied!
Iamheno 17 points 1y ago
You do you. We can’t see you anyway. /s
Its a legit gag.
Its a legit gag.
squatty--potty [OP] 2 points 1y ago
😂good one man
I_Am_Terra 12 points 1y ago
There’s a whole #DisabilityIsNotACostume movement that is popular with disability advocates around Halloween so probably not.
nullatonce 0 points 1y ago
Definitely a two-ended stick,maybe a personallity in wich he's more a ref than a blind would make it slide? This costume might for sure require some involment in the role.I'm for the idea, but maybe get a beard so no one could id you if it goes south
Tarnagona 10 points 1y ago
It’s not an unfunny idea but I’m hesitant. I’m not entirely comfortable with sighted people using mobility devices like white canes as costume props (probably because I’ve had people (at cons mostly) assume my own white cane is a prop. Happily, it’s never resulted in anything negative, as a simple explanation of “I’m actually blind” has cleared things up right away. Thinking about it, I’d say, as a costume idea amongst friends who know you, and will immediately know it’s a goof, cool, but not so much around acquaintances or strangers. In my personal opinion, I think that’s how I’d do it, so you can have fun with people who would get the joke, and not confuse folks who don’t know you, or more importantly, about blindness. That will mean less awkwardness for people like me to deal with in the future.
nullatonce 2 points 1y ago
Maybe a big goofy glasses would be better ?
Tarnagona 2 points 1y ago
Yes, something like that would be preferable to using a white cane as a prop. Or, because it’s Halloween, you could go a little creepier and get some contact lenses to make you “look blind”, eyes that are all white, or something.
Still think it’s not a great idea for going out in public because many of us don’t “look blind” or “act blind” (as blindness needn’t involve having unusual eyes, or groping around in front of you), and blind people who don’t meet those stereotypes are accused of faking their sight loss. So I’d still keep it as a private house party kind of costume.
Still think it’s not a great idea for going out in public because many of us don’t “look blind” or “act blind” (as blindness needn’t involve having unusual eyes, or groping around in front of you), and blind people who don’t meet those stereotypes are accused of faking their sight loss. So I’d still keep it as a private house party kind of costume.
squatty--potty [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thanks for the advice I appreciate it
OldManOnFire 8 points 1y ago
I think it's hilarious!
If anyone gives you any grief about it just tell them I gave you permission to do it. What are they gonna do, hold up protest signs at me?
If anyone gives you any grief about it just tell them I gave you permission to do it. What are they gonna do, hold up protest signs at me?
squatty--potty [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thanks my man, if anyone says anything I’ll direct them you’re way lol
DrillInstructorJan 5 points 1y ago
I'm blind. I think it's fine. I am aware a lot of less-secure people and anyone with a tendency to be a social justice warrior is likely to give you grief about it.
Is funny though!
Is funny though!
BlindFuryC 4 points 1y ago
I think it depends where you are going to do this.
For a house party or similar, amongst friends. Go for it! Out in public, that could cause you trouble. I don’t have a problem with it on a personal level, if it’s an in joke and it’s meant well, then hey, it’s fine. I know that disability isn’t a costume and all that jazz, but it’s not the blindness on its own, I feel like it’s you being a ref that happens to be blind, as opposed to the other way round.
For a house party or similar, amongst friends. Go for it! Out in public, that could cause you trouble. I don’t have a problem with it on a personal level, if it’s an in joke and it’s meant well, then hey, it’s fine. I know that disability isn’t a costume and all that jazz, but it’s not the blindness on its own, I feel like it’s you being a ref that happens to be blind, as opposed to the other way round.
TK_Sleepytime 4 points 1y ago
I think it's funny.
SoapyRiley 3 points 1y ago
Ooh do a blindfold out of mesh you can see through. That’s funny. I don’t know how you would portray a blind ref without making an unsavory caricature. Blind folks don’t look or act a certain way.
squatty--potty [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Great idea! Someone actually privately messaged me aswell suggesting this exact thing. I think this is what I’m going to do, thank you for the reply!
TwoSunsRise 3 points 1y ago
I think it's a good costume bc you're an actual ref. You're playing off people calling you blind bc of missed calls and combining it with your profession. And you're kind of taking a jab at yourself which is all in good fun!
brumeloss 3 points 1y ago
Would you dress up as someone in a wheelchair?
My point here is, unless you're specifically dressing up as a character who has a disability, I would say no. Being blind is not a costume. Having a disability is not a costume.
My point here is, unless you're specifically dressing up as a character who has a disability, I would say no. Being blind is not a costume. Having a disability is not a costume.
nullatonce 0 points 1y ago
But a blind ref is a character isn't it ?
When does it become a character ?
Where to draw the line ?
When does it become a character ?
Where to draw the line ?
brumeloss 1 points 1y ago
Like a character from a show, movie, book, etc.
Trick-Regret-493 2 points 1y ago
Im blind and now I have a costume for this year! NFL ref.
squatty--potty [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Right on man!
SqornshellousZ 2 points 1y ago
Yes, provided ypu actually spend a week actually using a cane while blindfolded. Then you can appreciate the whether it's truely a joke worth making.
Blind-bigfoot 2 points 1y ago
I'm blind and could care less
stickman0505 1 points 1y ago
I'm blind, go for it, screw all the Karen's!
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