Halloween Costumes 'Normalize Racism' Against Arabs: Letter

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Arab-American and Muslim groups in Dearborn and Metro Detroit had planned to spend about $25,000 at a local Walmart Supercenter to buy gift card for refugees from Syria and Iraq settling in the area.

But they’ll take their money elsewhere unless the store, located at 5851 Mercury Drive in Dearborn, agrees to remove Halloween costumes civil rights group say “normalize racism” and promote anti-Arab bigotry in the United States.

The costumes at issue are the “Israeli Soldier Kids Costume” and “Sheik Fagin Nose” with a stereotypically long Semitic nose. The costumes are sold not only by Walmart stores, but also by Amazon, eBay and Sears Marketplace.

Citing an incident in Brooklyn, NY, last week in which an Arab man was stabbed because, his attacker reportedly said, “You’re Arabic and you deserve it,” the groups said the costumes normalize bias against Arabs in the U.S. and can lead to more violence.

Hate crimes against Arab-Americans and other communities of color are on the rise, with some 784 hate groups nationwide, the Southern Poverty Law Center says.

“This rise in bigotry is a serious problem in American that is exacerbated by the xenophobic rhetoric espoused by the media and politicians,” the groups said in a statement. “The decision of major retailers to sell racist costumes acts to further affirm and normalize this racism.”

Also in the statement, the groups said:

“During the last month, more than 50 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces. An additional 2,000 have been injured and more than 600 have been imprisoned. Many of those killed, injured or imprisoned have been children.

“The Israeli forces are a symbol of violence and fear for Palestinians living under occupation, and Palestinians around the world whom have lost their homes and been victims of violence at the hands of soldiers.

‘A symbol of fear, violence and a long history of dispossession should not be used for entertainment purposes. An Israeli soldier costume is highly offensive to Arab-Americans, particularly those who have had family members, including children, killed by Israeli soldiers.”

In Dearborn, ADC-Michigan Director Fatina Abdrabboh asked the local Walmart Supercenter general manager to defer to local sensitivities and remove the costumes and issue a public statement acknowledging that the costumes are morally wrong.

“Please know that members of the Arab and Muslim community here had planned a humanitarian effort to include a very large purchase at your store. Ironically, the very people this costume damages are the ones who intended to buy over 50 gift cards at $500 each for Middle Eastern refugee families relocating in Southeast Michigan … At the very least, if the aforementioned issue is not remedied, we will take this large humanitarian endeavor to another business that is mindful of its customers’ sensitivities.”

The welcome meeting for refugees is planned for 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Islamic Center of Detroit, 14350 Tireman Ave., Detroit.

Walmart did not immediately return Patch’s request for comment.

The full letter to the Dearborn Walmart Supercenter store is found below.