Pinterest Inspires A “Less Stereotypical” Halloween While Raising Awareness Around Cultural Sensitivity

Pinterest Inspires A “Less Stereotypical” Halloween While Raising Awareness Around Cultural Sensitivity
B&T Magazine
By B&T Magazine



Every year millions of people turn to Pinterest for Halloween inspiration, and though this year looks different, searches related to the holiday continue to rise as people plan for their unique Halloweens.

Costumes are consistently a top-searched term, but many people may not know that certain costumes are appropriations of other cultures.

As a platform for positivity, Pinterest wanted to make it easy to find culturally-appropriate Halloween ideas, and bring awareness to the fact that costumes should not be opportunities to turn a person’s identity into a stereotyped image by releasing a Pinterest Halloween guide for ideas on enjoying a thoughtful and respectful Halloween.

Since 2016, Pinterest prohibited advertisements with culturally inappropriate costumes, and make it possible for Pinners to report culturally-insensitive content right from Pins.

And, starting this year, certain searches — like for “Day of the Dead costumes” — will show a Pin at the top of results with information curated by Pinterest employee group and experts on how to celebrate thoughtfully and respectfully.

Said Pinterest insights manager Swasti Sarna: “2020 is the year of trying new things across holidays and celebrations, creating new traditions along the way. As Pinners find inspiration for inclusive and inspiring Halloween costumes, they’re also searching for creative takes on Halloween during a pandemic, with top trending searches including Halloween breakfast (2x), haunted garage (4x), Halloween piñata (+90%) or Halloween treasure hunt (2x).

“Despite the pandemic, Halloween certainly isn’t cancelled. Pinners are getting creative while staying safe this year by turning to at-home “Halloween games” (searches up 10x since last year) and decorating every room of the house, including creating a “haunted mansion bathroom” (3x) or a “Halloween themed bedroom” (9x). Some are also planning to throw a “garden Halloween party” but keep it distant– searches for “Halloween costumes with masks” are now a whopping 27x greater.

“And, to lift the spirits of the neighborhood, Pinners are shopping for “exterior house decorations” 7x more than last year”.

 

 




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