Cultural appropriation is an especially hot topic right now. People seem to constantly push the boundary between cultural appreciation and appropriation, especially during Halloween. When this leads to overstepping and outrage the question is, are people being offensive or appreciative?

The answer is both. There are definitely people who are not respectful of certain cultures and what they hold sacred. But, there are also people who just enjoy another culture and want to be able to express themselves without causing drama.

I admire cultural dress. I don’t want to sexualize or disrespect it. I want to appreciate and experience its beauty. For example, I think Indian clothing and jewelry is beautiful. Sure, I would love to get a chance to wear it and when would be a better time than Halloween? But, I find myself hesitating.

I am extremely privileged compared to those living in India, where the poverty rate is approximately 22 percent compared to the United States’ 4 ½ percent. They also are dealing with a sexual violence problem, and sexualizing their culture would be insensitive. I don’t want to give the impression that I think their culture is a costume.

Obviously, I wouldn’t wear a bindi, darken my skin, make it overtly sexual or make a joke about the state of their country. I think if you have good intentions and are aware of what you’re doing then you should be able to experience another culture in this way.

We are able to experience other parts of cultures, like food, travel, music, movies and art. So, I think now is the time to start appreciating cultural apparel and understanding its significance.

Enjoy your freedom of expression, but be aware of what you are wearing and what it means.

For example, Native American women have the highest rates of rape and assault, so going out in a bra and headdress might not be the right move. Before you binge drink while wearing Native American dress, know that 1 in 10 Native American deaths are alcohol related. And, know that headdresses should only be worn if earned, so unless you’ve done something brave and honorable for each feather you probably shouldn’t wear one. And, that’s just one culture.

Being a sexy geisha is also a bad idea considering that Asian women are constantly sexualized and fetishized. Don’t do blackface, whiteface, yellowface, brownface or any face not your own.

Be smart about your costume this year. Think about your own culture’s history. Did your ancestors oppress the culture you want to dress up as? If the answer is “yes,” know that this will cause further disapproval.

Cultures are meant to be experienced and enjoyed. Nowadays, most people are a mixture of cultures and that in itself is a representation of the future of our world. I think that in America, which is known for being a melting pot, people should be encouraged to appreciate other cultures, but should also be responsible in order to avoid offense or conflict.